by Gary Cristofaro
I've had the privilege to lead many tours to Israel with both Christians and Jews. Naturally everyone has his or her own reasons for going to Israel. When accompanying Christian pilgrims it's common for some to express excitement about walking where Jesus walked. An expression also echoed by the Ministry of Tourism when enticing Christians to visit Israel. I agree this is among the many great reasons for Christians to experience the land. But it is also one more reason Christians should be horrified by the prospect of Israel giving up more land.
As Christians we must bear in mind that the descendants of Jacob were called out of Egypt to be a light to the nations. And it was at Jacob's well that Jesus declared; "salvation is of the Jews."(John 4:22) "He left Judea and departed again to Galilee. But He needed to go through Samaria. So he came to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus, therefore being wearied from His journey, sat by the well." (John 4:3-6)
The location of Jacob's well is not in doubt. It is one of the best-attested sites in Israel. It lies in the plain between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim. Jesus and His disciples arrived at Jacob's well in the midst of the little plain just east of the two mountains. They had probably followed the main road from Jerusalem, thirty-five miles to the south. It is known as the Road of the Patriarchs.
These hills have hosted many weary travelers for thousands of years. Long before Jesus and His disciples walked this land, God had chosen it for His divine purposes. In fact, He chose this land even before the calling of Abraham.
But following the call of Abraham, the land takes on renewed purpose. God said to Abraham "Get out of your country, from your father's house, to a land that I will show you." (Gen.12:1) ..."and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." (Gen. 12:3b) The plan of God was to bless the earth through Abraham and this great drama needed an earthly stage.
Abraham dwelt in the mountains of Israel. As this holy narrative unfolds we read of places like Shechem, Elon Moreh, Bethel and Hebron. One can stand in the mountains of Israel and almost hear the voice of God saying to Abraham; "for all the land which you can see I give to you and your descendants forever." (Gen. 13:15)
My fellow Christians, consider the significance of these sites to your faith. Now consider the possibility of never being able to walk these mountains again. Consider the possibility of never sharing these experiences with your children. Preservation of these sites should not be just a Jewish problem. It should be a priority of every Christian throughout the world.
However, if the Obama administration and most of the nations on earth had their way these sacred sitess would be lost. To justify this fear, one only has to recall the desecration of Joseph's tomb at the hands of fanatic Islamists. The Oslo Accords put this site under Israeli jurisdiction, but on Oct. 7, 2000, then-Prime Minister Ehud Barak ordered a unilateral retreat, based on a Palestinian agreement to protect the site.
But within hours, smoke was billowing from the tomb as a crowd burned Jewish prayer books and other articles. Then with pickaxes and hammers they began to tear apart the stone building. Within two days the dome of the tomb had been painted green and bulldozers were clearing the area. Israeli authority had to restore the site during Operation Defensive Shield in 2002, but worshippers are only allowed to visit when guarded by the Israeli Defense Forces.
There is no question that the best stewards of these holy sites are the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. In other words these sites should be kept in the family. Christians should realize the implications if Israel were to give up sovereignty over this region.
Likewise all the land of Judea and Samaria should be kept in the family. This is the land of their inheritance. The families of Judea and Samaria have more to lose than the holy sites. They stand to lose their homes, their livelihood and their very way of life.
Christian Friends of Israeli Communities is comprised of Jews and Christians who understand the shared significance of Judea and Samaria. It is the land of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and it is the land of Jesus. We also understand that Israel of today remains a living testimony to the faithfulness of the creator.
Our creator is the Holy One of Israel and He will remain faithful to His promises. Yet I also believe He is watching His children. Will we remain faithful to His purposes? Together I believe we have been called to be a light to the nations. The prophet Jeremiah said; "For there shall be a day when the watchmen will cry on Mount Ephraim, arise, and let us go up to Zion, to the Lord our God." (Jer. 31:6) Be faithful till the end and I believe we will experience together the day that the prophet Jeremiah spoke of.
