My Jewish heritage....

The bumper sticker "My boss is a Jewish carpenter" makes me smile every time....not that I see them a lot, but nonetheless. Last week I was listening to Rick and Bubba and Rabbi Walker (I think that was his name) was being interviewed. I came in about halfway through the interview, and then only caught a portion at that point, on my way to work.

The topic being discussed was Palestine's request to be a state and how the UN and Obama would handle all of that. Israel always has a strong opinion on this, because of their history with the Palestinians,which dates back to the Old Testament. I did not care much for history until I became a parent. I think my desire to know more about the US and Israel specifically, was increased as I watched the news, tried to beomce somewhat knowledgeable about politics, because all of these things will effect/are effecting my children.

How the US deals with Israel and Palestine is PARAMOUNT to our national security and cannot be taken lightly. I, like many people, was deeply offended when Obama said he wanted Israel to go back to their old borders, pre- the Six-Day war. At any rate, Rabbi Walker and R&B began talking about Christ's return and how Christians believe His second coming will occur at the Eastern Gate in Jerusalem, because of prophecy found in Scripture. Please read the excerpt below I found online.

This eastern gate is the only one of the eight gates in Jerusalem that is sealed. The Arabs believe that because the Jews expect their Messiah to come through this gate, they would prevent any possibility of His return. It was sealed up in 1530 AD, by the Ottoman Turks. A cemetary was planted in front of it, with the thinking being that the Jewish Messiah could not set foot into a cemetary, and therefore wouldn't arrive.
It cracks me up to think that Muslims really believe they can prevent Him from coming back by sealing up the Gate. I guess they will all be shocked! I have seen the Eastern Gate twice and both times it gave me goose bumps! Back to my interest in history. My interest in biblical history was truly peaked after my first visit to Israel at the turn of the millenium ('99-'00). We were there for Y2K, believe it or not, and we survived!
Back to the Eastern Gate....you see the Eastern Gate can be seen from the Mount of Olives. Jesus entered Jerusalem from this direction on Palm Sunday, just before His crucifixion and resurrection. The Eastern Gate is currently in territory occupied by the Muslims, as is the Dome of the Rock (the site of the Temple Mount, which is also Mount Moriah--where Abraham almost sacrificed Isaac, but God provided the sacrifice)......just as God, the Father, provided the sacrifice for you and I, through His perfect Son, Jesus, so we would not have to pay the penalty for our sins, with death.

Rabbi Walker said something like this, "Well, I guess it's a good thing Messiah does not have to get special 'landing rights' from the Palestinian Authority to enter the Eastern Gate when He returns." That made me laugh! Again, EVERY knee will bow and EVERY tongue will confess Jesus Christ as LORD, to the glory of God the Father. Rabbi Walker went on to talk about the Jewish belief in the Day of Atonement. I'm not sure if Messianic Jews still participate in this, but I am so glad I have a mediator in Jesus, so I don't have to wait for a special day or time, to atone for my sins. He paid the ultimate sacrifice with His death on the cross, for my sins and yours, and now we have freedom to approach the "the throne of grace with confidence" whenever we need (which is continually).

Thank you, Jesus, for being my Savior and friend. I cannot wait to see You face to face, to worship at Your feet, to lay down my crowns...and to be in the presence of the One who makes life worth living.