Isn’t it ALWAYS Just Like God!  

     My primary purpose in making the trip was to encourage Christians in the ‘ Persecuted Church ’ who many times think that they are all alone. But isn’t it ALWAYS just like God to fill OUR cups to overflowing! It was ME who came away encouraged!!! I was the one who left with a renewed sense of hope and faith and commitment. It was ME who was found wanting when I measured myself against these modern day saints of God! It was ME who had a renewed sense of the strength of the church in the midst of difficulties!

     So let me share one small insight with you from this trip.

     The city is Jerusalem , the place…..a small ‘upper room’. A group of people who follow the Jewish Messiah have gathered to worship on the first day of the week. The Messiah is no longer with them…..but in every sense he is with them as they gather together to worship Him and to encourage each other. There is a singing of praises and the accompaniment of strings, drums and voices. It is obvious that these people KNOW the Living Christ. It all takes place in a language other than my own. And even in the midst of military and political powers that cause them problems and concern, in spite of some of the more “religious’ people opposing them, it is clear that their belief in a Risen Messiah gives them the courage and strength to live their lives daily. Here were His disciples!

     I sat with this small group of modern day believers in that upper room on the second floor of a small non-descript building within the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem. And we worshiped together, brothers and sisters in Christ, fellow believers.

     Half-way around the world but totally at “home”, most of those in attendance were Palestinian believers. Not the “terrorists” that come to mind when we in America hear the word “Palestinian”. But BROTHERS and SISTERS in Christ!

     I am not sure I have EVER in my life been in a service in which the sense of praise, worship and the presence of God were more palpable. (Excuse me, but even as I sit here and write this now, I find tears welling up in my eyes and running down my cheeks!)

     In a whole new way the words of Paul to the Christians in Colossae came to life. Colossians 3:11 “In this new life one’s nationality or race or education or social position is unimportant; such things mean nothing. Whether a person has Christ is what matters and he is equally available to all.” (Living)

    When my spirit entered into worship with these dear brothers and sisters, our language, race and nationality meant nothing. We were ONE in the Lord!

     My eyes repeatedly were drawn to the young man who was playing the “bongo drum” (tableh’ in Arabic). His love for the Lord was so obvious, his TOTAL immersion of himself into worship so inspiring.  Without his even knowing that I was watching him, he ministered to me deeply during the worship part of the service.

     It wasn’t until about halfway through this incredible experience that it struck me! Here I am in a ‘small upper room’, in Jerusalem , on the ‘first day’ of the week. I was gathered together with fellow believers from different lands, worshipping MY Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. Literally FEET... yes, you read it right…..FEET …from the place where Jesus was crucified, buried and rose again! Not days away. Not hours away. Not thousands of miles away. MINUTES away by walking on foot!

     And He was NOT in the tomb! HE IS RISEN! “Why seek you the living among the dead? HE IS NOT HERE!  HE IS RISEN!

     It struck me that this could so easily have been how it was 2000 years ago as the disciples gathered in the upper room. Joining together to sing a song, to read the scriptures, to encourage one another and build each other up in the faith. And then they left to go to their jobs and to live their lives knowing that the tomb was empty and that He LIVES!

     These were INDEED the DISCIPLES of Jesus gathered in that upper room that morning. And I had the privilege to be among them! We are a part of a great body of believers, scattered among the nations, and around the world. All worshipping the same RISEN Lord Jesus Christ!!!

                In His Love and BECAUSE He Lives!

                                    Larry

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