| |
"I believe this is a golden opportunity Josiah, and something you will regret if you don't agree to it."
Josiah rubbed the back of his neck, deep in thought before raising his eyes to meet his mother's.
Rivkah gave their visitor a steaming mug of coffee before sitting in the rocking chair, a rhythmic creaking breaking the heavy silence.
"We don't attend church," her voice was soft as she answered for her son. "We never have...surely you understand."
Lachlan nodded. As a long-time friend of Rivkah's son, he knew the pain that still overshadowed their lives. Years had passed since the murder, but the sorrow hadn't abated, following the small family to Canada. Was he asking too much of Josiah? Yes.
"Look, I know it might not be easy but think of the bigger picture. What if agreeing to the meeting will open their eyes? Educate the youth into having a different perspective? It would greatly benefit The Remnant and who knows, some of the young men might sign up to join The Resistance. We need more feet on the ground. You cannot continue to run both ministries alone... Well, at least I don't see how it would be sustainable long-term."
Lachlan was correct, but to go to church? Josiah never imagined the day when he would darken their door - of any church for that matter. Regardless of the fact he believed Jesus was the promised Messiah, Messianic Jews and Christians didn't have a whole lot in common.
"If this could help your ministry..." Rivkah grew thoughtful, "and just this once..."
Josiah raised a questioning eyebrow before turning to Lachlan, "Well then, grab a box. We'll set up a table for after the service. You can tell me more about the meeting on the drive."
Lachlan grinned. "You won't regret this."
Mother and son weren't quite as certain.
"Will you come, Mother?" Josiah returned to the house after loading the last box of books into the trunk.
"No my son. I could never...but I wish you a successful night. May Adonai go before you and soften the hearts of those that will gather."
"I'll return as soon as I am able. Please, if it grows late, don't wait up," he winked at her before turning away, "You are all I have..."
Rivkah smiled at her baby boy but kept silent. She'd be spending the evening in prayer.
LACHLAN SMILED EASILY at the youth that gathered. They ranged from thirteen years old to their early thirties. Josiah held back, observing the gathering from the doorway. This wasn't his turf and at that moment, Josiah was suddenly shy.
"I am glad to see how many could make it out tonight. You are in for a treat. You see, the foundation of our faith is rooted in Judaism. After Jesus ascended into Heaven, many Jews came to believe in Jesus as the Messiah that was promised. In fact, the believers were Jews until Paul followed God's call to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles. We are simply grafted in. I'm getting ahead of myself," Lachlan grinned, motioning Josiah to join him, "Tonight it is a great honour to introduce you to my friend and believer in Jesus, Josiah Levinski. Please, take a seat as Josiah takes over the remainder of the service."
Josiah swallowed hard, his mouth painfully dry as he walked the narrow aisle to the waiting makeshift pulpit.
Taking a moment to scan the faces of those gathered, he took the microphone Lachlan held out to him.
"It is a joy to be able to join you tonight. Thank you for inviting me to this special meeting. It is my hope that by the end of the meeting, you will have a better understanding of your faith's Hebrew foundation..."
Why was he finding it so difficult to speak? He looked away as a few walked out of the room. Don't take it personally...
He spoke for the next forty-five minutes going over the shared tenants of their faiths, before delving into how paganism beginning in the reign of Constantine had seeped into early Christianity. The Early Church Fathers looked down on their Jewish brethren and Martin Luther who most Christians look up to as the father of the Protestant Reformation said that he wished all Jews were drowned in the river and their synagogues be burned to the ground. Many of the Nazis were professing Christians. By allowing paganism to enter and turning their backs on their foundation, a great rift was created between Christians and Jewish Believers.
"TONIGHT, CHANGE CAN take place. Adonai is calling to Himself a remnant who hunger for Him. It is a time of purging away all that is not holy. All that taints. I am calling you tonight to return to the foundation of your faith. Turn from pagan traditions and embrace Adonai's decrees. Who will join the remnant? The path ahead is not promised to be easy. I believe, amongst us are Ruths who are still wandering in the land of Moab. You know there is more - much more. Reach out in faith and join Adonai's people. When the Israelites left Egypt, some Egyptians joined them. Adonai gave Moses instructions for the strangers within their gates who longed to be counted as part of God's chosen nation - His peculiar people. Nations trembled when they heard of what Adonai did for His people. We have lost our fire. If you are completely honest, you know that for the most part, Christianity has become a source of mockery to the nations. Tonight, will you step out of Egypt? Will you step out of Moab and join us?"
Lachlan stepped up to the pulpit moments after Josiah signalled for him to close the meeting. With shoulders straight, Josiah walked to the back of the room, standing in front of the table he and Lachlan had set up before the service.
"Does anyone have any questions? Perhaps you have a question for Josiah before he leaves? I'm going to open up the floor for a few minutes so you may feel free to ask questions."
A young woman to the left raised her hand.
"Aye, go ahead..." Lachlan encouraged.
"In the Bible, it says that the Jews demanded the death of Jesus and even said that His blood be on their children..."
Lachlan shot Josiah a pained, apologetic look before struggling to re-focus on the woman who was still speaking.
"...so the Holocaust was a fulfillment of the curse they called upon themselves."
It wasn't a question. Lachlan took in Josiah's ashen, haunted features and was at a loss for words. What could he really say?
He hadn't noticed the senior pastor sitting among those gathered until he joined Lachlan at the front of the room.
"God has blinded the eyes of the Jewish people so they will not see or accept the truth. Thank you for coming out tonight, but I will apologize for the service. I came in late and didn't have time to speak with tonight's guest speaker first. It won't happen again. Feel free to stay for a while after the last hymn. We have some refreshments set up downstairs. Lachlan, we will pray for you, but I am responsible for my congregation. Please, pack up. They will not be going near your table."
All colour drained from Josiah's face at Lachlan's public humiliation.
Waiting for the last person to leave the room without a single glance in their direction, the men took down the books and other materials they had set out. Shouldering boxes, they stepped out into the night.
"I'm so sorry Josiah."
Josiah's shoulders slumped as he slipped into the passenger seat. "Mother was right..."
"No, you can't feel that way. Every church is different I'm sure, and besides, it might take some time, but the truth was told. It might take time to germinate, but one day we might see fruit from tonight's service."
Josiah was silent, absent-mindedly stroking the bridge of his nose. He wasn't a coward, so tonight would not be his last time darkening a church door. Next time he would be better prepared. The Remnant was far more important than any bias he endured. If only one caught the vision tonight - his passion - it was all worth it. He was, however, thankful his mother had chosen to stay at home.
"I really thought people would be more interested in your book," Lachlan frowned, eyes focused on the traffic ahead.
"They didn't have a chance..."
"Have you begun writing the second book yet? I forgot to mention it earlier at the house."
"No... I am not sure that there will be another book now. This resistance was something I hadn't expected. Lachlan, you know how much I trust you. Perhaps it would be best as far as the ministry is concerned if I don't attend these meetings... I can't help but think tonight may have gone very differently if you had been alone."
Lachlan didn't comment for a moment.
"You know I am here for you. I will do as you wish, but this matter needs more consideration. Tonight...well, I'm hoping it doesn't set the tone of future meetings with Christians, but I can't promise that you will not experience their resentment. For centuries they have been fed a lie. Change isn't easy although necessary. Only God can open their eyes..."