column: Worship

28 september 2010

Column by Gilbert Lammerts van Bueren 

It was during a Musalaha reconciliation conference. The NEM in Holland hosted a group of Messianic Jewish and Palestinian Christian leaders and their families. I entered the meeting hall to give some announcements. But immediately I sensed that the hall had turned into a holy place. Quietly I sat in the back waiting for people who were confessing sins to each other and asking forgiveness. I hardly dared to stay. This was an intimate time in which the Holy Spirit was moving. God was reconciling people through His Son Jesus Christ. 

Since that conference, I have attended other reconciliation meetings, debated with people about the Israeli – Palestinian conflict and read many books on the subject. Very often people call for justice. The right for Jews to live safely in the land of Israel. Justice for Palestinians who long for freedom to move. Facts are presented. Other facts try to convince us to believe another truth. The Bible is quoted. Christian Zionism is defended and attacked. But so often reconciliation remains a theory never realised. 

Until we go on our knees and bow to Jesus Christ. Acknowledging our sins and short comings. Discovering that we will never know the whole truth that leads to justice. Seeing that only Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. 

The organisation Musalaha has also published their own songbook with worship in Hebrew, Arabic and English. I am sure that this book has been more effective than many theological books on reconciliation.