by Elli Atchison

During Lent and Holy Week, it is appropriate for us to reflect on places in today’s time where there is loss, poverty, and pain. Throughout His life, Jesus was closest to people who had succumb to illnesses, were ignored by society, and who were experiencing rejection and suffering. This series Jesus Was No Stranger seeks to look at some of those places in both Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. How would Jesus respond to some of the experiences of both Jewish Israelis and Palestinians today?

Over the next week we’ll offer prayers on the themes of:

Jesus was no stranger to . . .

. . . .life under occupation

. . . .obedience and humble service

. . . . a life of poverty

. . . . death and sorrow

. . . . persecution and pain

. . . . the cry for justice

.

Then we will wrap up the series with “Thy Kingdom Come” after Easter.

Jesus was no stranger to Life Under Occupation

For almost a week, this March, Christ at the Checkpoint Conference took place in Bethlehem.  Every two years, this gathering seeks to give a voice to the Palestinian Christian perspective of the conflict by asking, “What would Christ say and do if He were to stand at a checkpoint today?” This question has been offensive to many who believe that to listen to the voices of Palestinian Christians somehow negates the legitimate suffering of Jews and Christians in Israel. That is not the intent. Christ would be found at the checkpoint, just as he would be found at the bedside of a grieving Jewish mother who lost the life of her child in a recent military campaign. May we courageously be willing to enter into all of these horrific places of suffering, just as Jesus did during his time.

At Christ at the Checkpoint, Christian leaders from various theological perspectives offer their thoughts and ideas. Activists listen and discuss possible solutions to the conflict and ways the Christian community can engage.. But truly, this question requires deep personal reflection on the Gospels, and offers no easy answers. Other prayers in this series will reflect on Christ on the Gaza Border and Christ at the Parent’s Circle. Christ did not come for one people group who suffer, but for all who are broken hearted.

When we compare the land in Jesus’ time and the political climate it suffers under today, we can easily see many parallels. The historic Holy Land, Judea, had been under the occupation of the Roman Empire before Jesus was even born. Rome kept control over the Jewish population with cruel tactics and exorbitant taxes. The Jews were second class citizens in their own land, and forced to show respect a Roman Emperor, in addition to their God. They were miserable in their lives and angry Jewish Zealots were highly motivated to fight for freedom. You can change the names of those in power and those who are oppressed, but looking at the Holy Land today, you will find many parallels.

Jesus was the perfect blend of the land and culture. Jesus was born in Nazareth. He spoke the Syrian language of Aramaic and was Jewish by faith and culture. And Jesus was no stranger to life under occupation. He came for a single purpose and He announced it publicly at the beginning of His ministry. Quoting the prophet Isaiah, His self proclaimed mission was to:

“proclaim good news to the poor,

proclaim freedom for the prisoners,

give sight to the blind,  

set the oppressed free,

and proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:35)

Fellow Jews had high hopes that this was the man who might finally lead the revolt and overthrow Rome. But, Jesus had a much different revolution in mind. His priority was not to reclaim the promised land from the fists of the Romans and re-establish a Jewish nation. He came to reclaim the hearts of all people and establish the Kingdom of God.  

With this premise in mind,  I’d like to  imagine what He would say to the people in Israel and Palestine today, both of whom are suffering under unjust political policies that currently have no hope for peace. This week, let’s take a walk with Him through the land and imagine some of the conversations that might take place with the hurting people He would encounter today.  

Dear Jesus,

As we reflect on the conflict in the Holy Land today help us to see it through your eyes. Prepare our hearts to walk with you today. We pray the Holy Spirit will empower us to use Scripture in a way that is true to your message and love for all people.   

In your holy name we pray, Amen