[This was my email message this week to the Philadelphia District Church of the Nazarene as district servant:]
Dearest Beloved Philadelphia Nazarene Family:
I humbly greet you in the Name of Jesus -- yes, in beautiful and matchless Name of Jesus the Nazarene.
Much of our life is on hold these days, as many postponements and cancellations are recorded throughout our calendars.
Personally, i was scheduled to be on my 16th discipleship journey to the Holy Land this very week. Today, our tour bus would have entered the City of Jerusalem from the region of The Galilee. What a sacred experience.
While we have tentatively rescheduled the trip for May 2021, my heart is a little sad that i am not there at this moment teaching others about Jesus in the very city where "He gave His life to gain ours back" yes, and also the location where "He arose the Victor from the dark domain!" Oh, Jerusalem! Jerusalem!
Nevertheless, even in the midst of many postponements and cancellations, i am truly trusting in His mysterious and marvelous ways.
Because i would’ve been in Israel this week, i want to share with you a ten-minute video. The theme is "Could We Have Missed Our Own Messiah?" Unless you know Hebrew you will have to read the subtitles to understand the depth of the discussions, however, it will be worth it as you look-on and listen-in while this kind, young, Messianic Jewish gentleman dialogues one-on-one with His own people, yes, with non-Jesus-believing Jews in Israel about what is called, "The Forbidden Chapter -- Isaiah 53." It moved me deeply.
Here’s the "Tender Ten-Minute Video Link" for you to watch. Below the closing paragraph [beneath the YouTube link] i have pasted Isaiah 53, as well.
Local pastors and leaders and laity, please know i pray for you always. You are real-life holy heroes during these days as you stand and serve on the frontlines of our faith. Remember, we have a Savior, yes, Jesus Messiah! He is with us and within us! Please be encouraged and let’s keep the Unity in the Holy Spirit!
Now, Isaiah 53: "The Forbidden Chapter" from the Complete Jewish Bible Translation:
"Who believes our report? To whom is the arm of ADONAI revealed? For before him he grew up like a young plant, like a root out of dry ground. He was not well-formed or especially handsome; we saw him, but his appearance did not attract us. People despised and avoided him, a man of pains, well acquainted with illness. Like someone from whom people turn their faces, he was despised; we did not value him. In fact, it was our diseases he bore, our pains from which he suffered; yet we regarded him as punished, stricken and afflicted by God. But he was wounded because of our crimes, crushed because of our sins; the disciplining that makes us whole fell on him, and by his bruises* we are healed. We all, like sheep, went astray; we turned, each one, to his own way; yet ADONAI laid on him the guilt of all of us. Though mistreated, he was submissive -- he did not open his mouth. Like a lamb led to be slaughtered, like a sheep silent before its shearers, he did not open his mouth. After forcible arrest and sentencing, he was taken away; and none of his generation protested his being cut off from the land of the living for the crimes of my people, who deserved the punishment themselves. He was given a grave among the wicked; in his death he was with a rich man. Although he had done no violence and had said nothing deceptive, yet it pleased ADONAI to crush him with illness, to see if he would present himself as a guilt offering. If he does, he will see his offspring; and he will prolong his days; and at his hand ADONAI ’s desire will be accomplished. After this ordeal, he will see satisfaction. "By his knowing [pain and sacrifice], my righteous servant makes many righteous; it is for their sins that he suffers. Therefore I will assign him a share with the great, he will divide the spoil with the mighty, for having exposed himself to death and being counted among the sinners, while actually bearing the sin of many and interceding for the offenders." Yesha 'yahu (Isa) 53:1-12 CJB
Hope Happens HERE!
Presence Matters Most!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
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