Jerusalem and Bethlehem
We began our second day in Jerusalem with a trip to Yad Vashem, the national holocaust museum for Israel. Many of our group had been to the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., but as I told everyone, there is really no comparison between the two. This, after all, is the story of the holocaust from the perspective of the Jewish people. It is a very, simple and stark building that houses the museum. The building is in an “A” frame shape with a long corridor and exhibit halls running off of the passageway. As you move through each hall, you move toward the light at the end of the corridor and finally emerge looking over Jerusalem below you.
As I walked through the exhibit, two things became very clear. The first was how destructive the power of evil can be when left unchecked or unquestioned. Throughout the later part of the 1930’s most of the world simply stood by and did nothing as the Nazis unfurled and executed their plan to annihilate the Jewish people. The other truth that became even clearer was the resiliency and determination of the human spirit, especially the Jewish people. There were countless stories and examples of people surviving and thriving even in the most inhumane and deplorable conditions. Moreover, there were more stories of self-sacrifice by individuals to allow others to survive.
After two hours, all of us left Yad Vashem emotionally and spiritually drained. We then journeyed to Bethlehem, to the Church of the Nativity, to see the place where our Savior, Jesus Christ, was born. What a contrast to go from the vivid reminder of the most intentional, systematic implementation of evil activity ever conspired by humanity to the birthplace of the Prince of Peace.
In spite of Jesus’ death and resurrection, evil is still very much alive in the world. Our visit to Bethlehem is not a call to question whether Jesus has, indeed, conquered the world. Rather, it is a reminder that we are his eyes, ears, hearts, and hands in the world. We are his body. If there is evil in our midst, he tells us to implement justice. Where there is hatred, show mercy. Where there is evil, bear love. Hitler was successful because the people of God did not do the things they were called to do in the world. After all, what does the Lord God require of us but “…to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:9
Blessings and peace,
Robert
as you exit the Yad Vashem Museum (Holocaust Museum) this passage from Ezekiel looks down on you. My camera couldn't capture the whole passage. What a powerful fulfillment of that prophecy to the people of God, especially in light of & following the Holocaust.
Statute as you leave the Children's Memorial section of the Museum. Over 1.5 million children were killed by the Nazis in the Holocaust. This remembers a Polish doctor who founded two orphanages in Warsaw and when his children were taken to the concentration camps he insisted on following them.
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Approaching the Church of the Holy Nativity
Outside the Church
Sign on Wall.....
Shalom,
robert
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