PT’s News & Views reported last week on the recent spate of terror attacks in Israel that has claimed the lives of 13 people so far. This recent wave of violence has caused considerable alarm across Israel. Schools have cancelled day trips, many local Israelis are afraid to go out in public, and a number of municipalities have even closed construction sites to keep Palestinian labourers away.
Just this morning (Good Friday), clashes broke out between Palestinians and Israeli security forces on the Temple Mount, as thousands ascended to the site for prayers during a weekend where the Islamic month of Ramadan overlaps with Jewish Passover. Scores have been injured and over 100 arrested.
It’s hard to believe anything ‘good’ could come out of such mayhem. But a profoundly impacting story has emerged from one of the earlier incidents, which has touched the hearts of thousands.
Overnight hero
On Tuesday, March 29th, a Muslim terrorist shot dead four civilians in central Israel. The fifth person he murdered was first sergeant Amir Khoury, a Christian Arab Israeli police officer, who rushed to the scene of a terror attack and fought the shooter. They shot one another dead.
The incident took place in the Jewish Orthodox city of Bnei-Brak. Officials said that the Arab police officer "saved the lives of many by sacrificing his own". The irony here is highly potent for Israelis: A Christian-Arab, sacrificing his life to save those of Jews. Not just any Jews, but Orthodox Jews (who, for the most part, look down on Gentiles in general, and on Arabs in particular). Amir Khoury became a hero in Israeli society - a role model for love in its ultimate condition – the surrender of his life.
Amir Khoury became a hero in Israeli society - a role model for love in its ultimate condition – the surrender of his life.
Khoury left such a great positive impact. Thursday 31st March put the spotlight on Israel’s small but vibrant Christian community as thousands of people, including busloads of ultra-Orthodox Jews, came to pay their respects to the police officer.
Street in his honour
The city council of Bnei Brak has even decided to commemorate him by changing the name of the street he gave his life on to “Amir Khoury Street”. As most streets in Israel are named after people, this would be the very first non-Jewish person a street is named after in that city. Clearly, the act of sacrificing his own life had a profound impact on the hearts of these people.
There is an incident recorded in the Bible when the ultraorthodox Jewish leaders in Jerusalem were plotting to kill Jesus. They were arguing among themselves “Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! You do not realise that it is better for you that one man died for the people than that the whole nation perish.” In an editorial comment John, the Gospel writer, says, “He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation” (John 11:49-51).
It is interesting that the Arab Christian policeman died as we approach this season of the year when all three religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are celebrating holy festivals of Passover, Easter, and Ramadan. There is surely a prophetic significance in the renaming of the street at this season and in this geographical position in the heart of an ultraorthodox community. May his death lead to the sacrificial love of Jesus being honoured in that town.
Surrender to God
Jesus tells us that, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matt 16:24-25).
Surrendering to God becomes a lifestyle of giving it all to him – our worries, our plans, our families, our finances, our futures.
As his disciples, we are called to surrender our lives into his hands. It needs to be a daily, even moment by moment, discipline. Surrendering to God becomes a lifestyle of giving it all to him – our worries, our plans, our families, our finances, our futures. It’s only in so doing that we show our complete trust in him and our belief in his promises.
The need for such abandon was impressed on me anew earlier this week, as I was praying about a difficult situation. I was desperately trying to work out the best way to deal with the matter, working out what to do, what to say, and the right timing. My focus, albeit unintentionally, was all on me. I sensed the Holy Spirit’s nudge, prompting me to simply hand over the entire situation into his capable hands. He would work it out – I didn’t need to. As an act of faith, I let go – I surrendered. Peace was immediately restored to my mind and soul – albeit with the necessary vulnerability of knowing I was no longer in control.
Sacrificial Lamb
Jesus Christ was the sacrificial Lamb of God who truly saved the lives of many by sacrificing his own. “Greater love has no one than this”, he stated; “to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). May we reflect on Christ’s ultimate sacrifice this Easter – for each one of us. A sacrifice that sets us wonderfully free - from everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles (Heb 12:1).
The benefits are truly ours. For "whom the Son sets free is free indeed” (John 8:36).
