SHOULD I OR SHOULDN’T I OPEN IT?
Staring at me from eighteen inches away are three luminous
figures surrounded by a sea of reflection imprinted with the inside of our 2005
Chevy Equinox. As a former cold-weather northerner it is incredulous to see 105
degrees glowing on the mirror.
Attack mode is the only safe way to approach
that inevitable Texas heat blast outside the door. It’s now or never. Run for
it! Respond to the call of the mall’s refreshing coolness and do it fast. Not
so! My husband takes my hand and we slowly meander toward the entrance. Nice! I
mean, very nice!
Our trips to these natural habitats of addicted shoppers are
not purposely to shop. Something eternal is in our minds and hearts. The
endless crowds move from store to store, kiosk to kiosk, some staring
hypnotically. Animated facial
expressions and moving lips talking into the air seem to indicate conversation
with invisible entities.
HOW MANY ARE A FEW?
One thing we do know is that before us is a living harvest
field. If the end came today, how many of these would open their eyes in
heaven? If you crammed all these hundreds of people together in one corner of
the mall and called a “few” of them to gather in a separate group in the
center, how many would be in that group? Jesus said “narrow is the way, which
leadeth unto life, and FEW
there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:14).
What about the rest of them? That question motivates us.
I hope we remember which door we came in so we can find our
car when we leave. Like avenues on a city street the traffic inside is
terrific. The two legged traffic, rambling along at a snail’s pace seems
unaware of our presence, but we are here. Our prayer has been for the Lord to
lead us to opportunities to speak to some soul about Him.
HOW DID THE DEAD SEA WIND UP IN TEXAS?
As we
almost pass by one of many kiosks we are enticed to stretch out our hands to
receive precious mineral ointment squeezed from a turquoise tube by a hopeful salesman. He is interested in restoring harmony and
balance to our skin, but we cautiously hope to engage him in conversation.
“These products are from Israel and contain amazing beneficial
minerals from the Dead Sea. One of the
natural wonders of the world is the Dead Sea in Israel, which is 1200 feet
below sea level.”
Politely, I edge my way into the sales pitch, “Israel! I
love Israel! I have been there!”
Slight amazement creeps to the surface of the man’s facial
features. “You have?” “When?”
“Many years ago,” I reply,” probably around 1985.”
“Did you see the wall? I am from Israel and I live by the
wall. I am here only two weeks now.”
He no doubt lived in the proximity of constant danger. I
conjecture, “You must have seen some terrible things.”
A weather-worn, creased brow seemed intrinsically connected to the
squint of his eyes as his solemn words poured forth,---“I thanked God every
morning that I woke up.”
His mid-fiftyish appearance seemed strained, yet determined.
A Jewish kippa ( cap) crowned his browned, tired looking face setting him apart
from the passing crowd.
“Yes, I saw the wall of the city and the Western wall where
many Jews were praying.
IMMEDIATELY MICAH IS PULLING OUT HIS CELL
PHONE TO SHOW US PICTURES OF HIS HOME.
He anxiously slides one picture
after another until he smiles at the site. “This is my home. These are my
streets.” It seemed evident that he was already missing that familiar place. We
were strangers, yet he risked sharing personal facts. “I have children. Slowing
down with a noticeable pause he continued, “My two sons are in the military.” As
if a dark cloud passed over him his appearance suddenly changed revealing obvious
concern.
I sense the unsettling moment and attempt to seize it. “We
keep up with the news and are alarmed at the attacks and violence against Israel.
We believe God has given the land to His chosen people, the Jews. The Torah
declares it. Do you read the scriptures?”
Not a second was wasted. His hand quickly reached for his
very worn, coverless copy of the Torah that was placed close by on his counter.
He seemed almost offended that anyone would even question his use and
familiarity with the scriptures. He made us aware of his knowledge of Hebrew,
and his studies of the mystical Kabbalah. With strong Hebrew dialect and
fingers pouring through the pages of that sacred book he began to reveal his
educational background, his deep studies of the Jewish Bible, and his love for
it.
After sharing our own love for the Bible, in a leap of faith
I asked him, “Micah, are you looking for the Messiah to come?”
“Of course,” he shot
back “and the time is near!” Intensity drove
his words as he began to describe chaotic world conditions, devastating weather
patterns. “These all are signs that His coming is near.”
He paged through his Torah and pointed to portions
describing how wickedness brought God’s judgment of the flood in Noah’s day.
“It’s is like today. Something is going to happen.” Micah is from the tribe of Levi.
I cautiously interrupted him. “Micah, your Messiah has
already come. He came for you. His name is Jesus and He is about to come again.”
Like a streak of lightning, he stretched his arm out toward
me with an upturned palm, as if to say, “Stop! Say no more!”
Somewhat yielding, I still continued with a question. “Then
tell me, Micah, how would you identify the Messiah if He came tomorrow? How
would you know for sure that He is the Messiah?”
I hoped
he would describe some of the messianic characteristics prophesied in the Old
Testament, but avoiding such an answer he simply stated, “I will know. In my
heart I will know.” His face was set.
I gently protested his conclusion, suggesting that many have
come in the past saying they were the messiah. How would you know for sure if
they were really the Messiah? Surely there are attributes you should look
for…prophetic details…
Again, he waved me off, apparently understanding where I was
headed. “Some things we don’t need to know. Some things we are not
to know.”
I wondered when he turned to Exodus
19 and detailed the account when Moses went up into Mount Sinai to meet with
God. The people were not to come near or touch the mount lest they die. He
inferred that the people were not to know what Moses was to know. Some things
are too sacred. He seemed to associate that with having knowledge of the
Messiah. “We don’t need to know everything.”
Our conversation was intense. Once I tried to excuse myself
saying that we were interfering with his business, as customers were coming
by. Another shopkeeper was standing at
the door of his business intently listening to our entire conversation. Micah
was not about to stop. “This is more
important.”
MANY MINUTES PASSED
BY.
I had to move forward with this discussion. “Micah, we love
Jerusalem and pray for its peace. We love our Jewish friends.”
It was his turn again. “I know that Christians love Israel
and Jewish people. They do many things to show that.”
“Yes, and I want to thank you for the part Jewish people had
in preserving the Holy Scriptures. I
also want to thank you for giving to us our Jewish Messiah, Jesus.”
This brought him to another full stop with his hand
outstretched, palm upraised to say, “Enough!” But I could not help but sense
that something was going on inside Micah’s heart that he fought to hide. He did
not want to stop this conversation. I
knew I could not push him further, but felt the Holy Spirit directing my words.
“Micah, we are not going to keep you any longer.” As he
stood by that two week old Dead Sea product Kiosk, he made me think of one of
the Old Testament prophets, before they knew anything about the Babe who would
be born of a virgin. He could quote the Scripture. He was waiting for the
Messiah, but willingly hid from the Truth. Gently, I put my hand on his
shoulder, looked into his Jewish face and pleaded, “Micah, please look one more
time at Isaiah 53, and read it with an open heart. His face said that he knew what
was in that Messianic chapter of the Torah.
We stepped away from that sacred spot where heaven was
yearning to reach one of God’s Chosen Ones, with a prayer that has continued to
ring out from our heart. “Lord Jesus, reveal yourself to Micah.” In a moment we were mingling with more of the
very ones Jesus died for. May He use us to reach them for Him. Worthy is the Lamb to receive the reward of
His sufferings.
BY THE INSPIRATION OF
THE HOLY SPIRIT, ISAIAH PROPHESIED ABOUT THE COMING MESSIAH SEVEN HUNDRED YEARS
BEFORE JESUS WAS BORN
The Messiah's own people would reject Him.
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Isaiah 53:1
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John 12:37-38
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The Messiah would grow up in Nazareth.
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Isaiah 53:2a
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Matthew 2:21-23
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The Messiah would appear as an ordinary man.
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Isaiah 53:2b
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Philippians 2:7-8
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The Messiah would be despised.
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Isaiah 53:3a
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Luke 4:28-29
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The Messiah would be rejected.
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Isaiah 53:3b
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Mat. 27:21-23
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The Messiah would suffer great sorrow and grief.
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Isaiah 53:3c
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Luke 19:41-42
Mat. 26:37-38
Matthew 27:46
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Men would deny association with the Messiah.
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Isaiah 53:3d
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Mark 14:50-52
Mat. 26:73-74
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The Messiah would have a heal many.
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Isaiah 53:4a
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Luke 6:17-19
Matthew 8:16-17
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The Messiah would bear the sins of the world upon Himself.
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Isaiah 53:4b
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1 Peter 2:24
1 Peter 3:18
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Many would think the Messiah to be cursed by God.
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Isaiah 53:4c
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Mat. 27:41-43
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The Messiah would bear the penalty of death for man's sins.
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Isaiah 53:5a
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Luke 23:33
Hebrews 9:28
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The Messiah's would be bruised for our iniquities.
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Isaiah 53:5b
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Colossians 1:20
Eph. 2:13-18
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The Messiah's back would be lashed at His trial.
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Isaiah 53:5c
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Matthew 27:26
1 Peter 2:24
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