Zvi Nov/Dec 2011

Miracles do not happen every day. But one happened recently while I was in a clinic waiting to see a doctor. Usually there are long lines, and it is difficult to speak to people. But that day there were few people, and it was easy to see those walking in. And who should come through the door but two Orthodox men who ran to me and greeted me with great joy. However, I did not recognize them.

“Do you remember us?” one asked. When I said no, he told me they fought in the Israeli army with me in the 1948 War of Independence. Now they lived in Jerusalem.

“So, what are you doing in your old age?” he asked. “We have heard about you, that you are much changed. You are not the same man who was so faithful to the land of Israel. It is hard for me to believe.”

“What are you talking about?” I asked. “Why do you say that I am not faithful to my country?”

They became extremely serious, and one said, “We have heard about you from our good friends. They say that you and your friends are trying to brainwash our people to leave their faith and to join with those who are against us. You have believed in the Christian God.” I knew he was referring to Jesus.

“You are dreaming,” I replied. “I will show you.” So I reached into my small sack and took out my Bible. They do not understand that Jesus is not a separate God. He is the third person of a three-part Godhead; consequently, He is the Lord—the God of Israel.

“Take this and read. Especially Deuteronomy 6:13–14, where it is written, ‘You shall fear the Lord your God and serve Him….You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are all around you.’” I show this verse to many people who have lost their way and no longer see that they are listening to men rather than God.

They were surprised. They had heard so much about me that they were interested in speaking with me and wanted to understand exactly what I believe.

“Is it so? Have you believed in the Christian God?” one persisted.

“For me there is only one God,” I replied. “As it is written in the Shema, ‘Shema Yisrael: Adonai eloheynu, Adonai echad! Hear, O Israel: The Lᴏʀᴅ our God, the Lord is one!’” (v. 4).

“Well, then, how come we heard that you believe in This One [Jesus]? The One who has caused us to pay a high price of suffering for a long time. You will not find it written about Him in the Holy Bible!”

We had finally come to the important part of the conversation. I asked, “What will you do when I show you where it is written about Him?”

“We are waiting impatiently,” he replied.

I want to tell you that, for me, this is the greatest honor God gives me—to serve Him according to His will and show people the truth about Him. So I opened the Bible to a very important section, Isaiah chapter 53, and read:

But He was wounded for our transgressions. He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lᴏʀᴅ has laid on Him the iniquity of us all (vv. 5–6).

“Do you want to know more about Him?” I asked. “Read the entire chapter, and then you will know about whom it is written.”

“We have never seen this chapter,” one said.

I was not surprised. I have been told the same thing over and over by others. “You see what is written here in black and white. It is no secret. It is here for everyone to read,” I said. I explained that they place too much faith in their rabbi and do not think for themselves. They must have faith in God and trust Him to teach them His Holy Scriptures.

Then they wanted to know how I came to know the Lord. I told them, “I was interested to know what was written in the Bible, and I read it myself. It was written by the Holy Spirit of God. So how can someone say a section is forbidden? Are we not the Chosen People of God?” I asked. They were not so sure, so I read from Isaiah 49, where it is written, “You are My servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified” (v. 3). I read only eight verses, yet they were eager to read more. They wanted to see everything I showed them in the Bible.

When we parted, they thanked me for spending so much time with them and explaining the Holy Scriptures.