Oh my, what a day we had! It was our first day out and about and it began as every tour should: doing a service project that immediately connected us with the people of Israel. We packed dozens of food bags for an elderly club in Netanya. The Russian-speaking immigrants are always so happy to see us and so welcoming. We gathered to hear the story of this place that provides so much needed assistance to Holocaust survivors and children of those who perished in the Holocaust.

The unfathomable things that were done to these families by the Nazis during the Holocaust still bring searing pain to those who lived through it, yet they are determined to tell their stories so the world never forgets the atrocities committed against the Jews during the 1940’s. We were also reminded that some of the same antisemitic acts that led to the Holocaust are being repeated today. Jews are accused of genocide and so many other things, and they remain the punching bag when anything goes awry in the Middle East. Often Jewish people, particularly older ones, feel forgotten, uncared for, and rejected by the world. What joy it was to proclaim, in words and deeds, that we will not forget what they have endured, we will stand with them, and we love them.

Though they didn’t understand much English and we didn’t understand much Russian or Hebrew, they made it clear that we “warmed their hearts,” and the smiles on faces and the hugs we shared were much greater than words could express! The love of Jesus was at work, and amazingly God allowed us to be vessels of His great love.

Then, it was off to ONE FOR ISRAEL, also home to Israel College of the Bible. It is my privilege to attend weekly staff meeting where we hear of the wonderful work being done by our team in Israel. But today, our guests got a “peek behind the curtain,” as several department heads shared about the work currently being done. It is both amazing and astounding that a small team of faithful servants does so much and reaches so many. We heard from the media team (after having broken the 1 million subscriber barrier to the Hebrew-speaking website iGod), the humanitarian team (specifically regarding aid to soldiers and families since October 7), the publishing team (pumping out evidence for the Messiah), the Arab Outreach team (winning souls in places such as Gaza), and the follow up team (answering question from Jews and Arabs who contact OFI). There is so much more to ONE FOR ISRAEL and Israel College of the Bible. I encourage you to visit the website.

After touring the facility, we joined the OFI team for lunch and sweet fellowship. We felt the connection with that special group of people and we all left feeling very blessed. I am so honored to call them teammates!

This afternoon we made a stop a Caesarea Maritima (by the Sea). Home to one of King Herod’s palaces during ancient days, the Roman city features the usual theater and hippodrome used for chariot races and gruesome gladiator matches. Situated right on the Mediterranean Sea, the surface of the hippodrome was kept sandy to soak up the blood that spilled in violent races and matches.

Jutting out into the sea is the foundations of Herod’s palace, built out over the water. In its day, the palace was opulent and had all the aminities one could imagine. Just to the east of the palace is a recently discovered dungeon in which Paul was likely held captive as a prison before his trial before King Agrippa. (Acts 25-26)

Caesarea is mentioned in several Biblical accounts, involving several different characters. But there is one account I’m very partial toward because it has such overwhelming significance for us as believers. I hinted at it in yesterday’s post and I hope you read Acts 10! Almost everyone who visits Israel has at least one very deep, personal moment when God reaches into the heart and touches us. On my very first trip to Israel in 2008, Caesarea by the Sea was that place, and I had the blessed privilege to share with our group why it touched me so.

I won’t reteach it in full, but here are some cliff notes and thoughts from Acts 10:

• Verses 1-8: Cornelius (a Roman centurion) sent men to Joppa (to the south) to summon Simon (Peter).
• Verses 9-16: While the men were on their way, Peter, meanwhile, was hungry and fell into a trance. Heaven opened up and God sent a great sheet down from heaven with unclean animals and instructions for Peter to rise, kill, and eat. Peter, a Sabbath-keeping, kosher Jew would never consider eating what is unclean, yet verse 15 says, “What God has cleansed you must not call common or unclean.”
• Verses 17-23: As Peter pondered the vision, Cornelius’ men arrived and God commanded Peter to go with them, so he went with them to Caesarea.
• Verses 24-33: In Caesarea, Cornelius had gathered family and friends to hear all the things commanded by his God. Peter reminded them that it is unlawful for a Jewish man to keep company with Gentiles, but nevertheless, God had shown him (through the vision of unclean animals) that he should not call any man common or unclean. Then he asked, “For what reason have you sent for me?”
• Verses 34-35: Peter opened his mouth and proceeded to explain that ALL are welcome and accepted by God.
• Verse 36-38: God sent His word to the “sons of Israel” (Jews) first, and Peter spoke of Jesus’ ministry.
• Verses 39-41: Peter preached the Gospel of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection to Cornelius and his household.
• Verses 42-43: God COMMANDED the Jews to preach the Gospel so everyone can receive forgiveness of sin!
• Verses 44-48: The Holy Spirit fell upon ALL who heard the word, and the Jews were astonished because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also! They were baptized.

I invited our group into the narrative. Starting with Abraham, we realized God called a pagan, idol-worshiping Gentile (Abram) to be the father of the Jews. Yet, He called Peter, a Sabbath-keeping, kosher Jew, to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles! It came full circle at this very place! As Gentiles, this is our birthplace! Whether or not there were already Gentile believers is up for debate, but this is the recorded account of how God chose the Jews to share the Gospel to Gentiles! Amazing!

The Jewish Messiah has come and, as believers, we have Him. Romans 11 stretches the narrative still further by exhorting us to share the Jewish Messiah back to the Jewish people! We…Jews and Gentiles…were created for the benefit of the other!

These truths were echoed tonight as Dr Golan Broshi from Israel College of the Bible came to speak to us at the hotel. His message was this: We (Jews and Gentiles) are on the same team, and the Jewish people need to know Jesus. Are we playing offense…or are we sitting on the bench? We were challenged to be bold in telling our Jewish friends that we love them and we’re on the same team because of THEIR Messiah! We have what they yearn for, so why not share Him!

I can’t imagine a better beginning of a tour. We began by sharing the love of Jesus with Russian-speaking immigrants, we met the staff at ONE FOR ISRAEL who are the soldiers on the ground, we were at the very place in which the Gospel of Jesus came to us as Gentiles, then we were exhorted by a Jewish believer to get in the game and head toward the same goal line!

Friends, I wish you were here to experience it. But since you’re not, I’m praying God grants you visions and dreams to fill in the gaps and provide a bit of the experience we had today. May you be richly blessed as you journey along with us!

***Observations and tour updates appearing here are my own and do not reflect the positions of any other organization or ministry. Though employed by ONE FOR ISRAEL I am not an authorized spokesperson on behalf of the ministry.