FROM WHERE I STAND – May 11, 2002 The story of Nicodemus visiting Jesus at night to inquire of him in John 3 is one of the most intriguing narratives found in Scripture.
How ironic that this most visible, influential, powerful man came at night and Jesus reached out to the upper echelons of society.
Yet in John 4 we find Jesus finding His way from Galilee and going deliberately into Samaria: “And he must needs go through Samaria.” John 4:4 within the passage of one chapter, Jesus touches the lives of the well to do and also the undesirable, when he met the Samaritan woman at the well.
During this most famous of conversations, this woman when confronted about her sin finds herself in a position of comparing religious systems.
She makes a most deliberate statement that is handled quite well by the Master as she states, “Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.” John 4:20
Today, I see this parallel being played out in several areas of life and I believe the time for people to identify is now.
First, denominations of Christianity, both liberal and conservative, are now drawing lines to divide and separate themselves from other groups. And some of them just accept any group regardless of beliefs and this becomes the extreme of both sides and is unprofitable.
But Jesus looked beyond denominations and geographical barriers, as well as religious systems and declared the work G-d was about to accomplish - along with the type of people He was seeking.
“Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. G-d is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” John 4:22-24
Jesus identifies the essence of G-d’s presence being everywhere (G-d is a Spirit) and his worship is based on the character and content of the heart.
But I see another parallel that speaks to us today of the false identification of in which temple to worship, regarding the situation in the Middle East.
Today Muslim apologists are crying out that Allah the G-d of Islam is the same as Yahweh, the true G-d of Christians and Jews.
Jews and Christians hold Jerusalem and Mt. Zion as holy for several reasons, much like the reverence of them in Jesus’ day.
The Samaritans maintained that Mt. Gerazim was the place where Abraham offered up Isaac; therefore the Temple located there was the place that G-d was to be worshipped.
Since 9-11-01 there has been so much confusion in some people’s minds about Islam and its beliefs, so like the woman at the well, they are caught in-between, trying to cut through the confusion.
Throughout the Scripture there are hundreds of scriptures that designate Jerusalem and Mt. Zion as G-d’s choice, yet the Muslims insist on Mecca stating Allah and Mohammad chose them instead.
Sandbalat, the avowed enemy of the Jews, who sought to disrupt the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple and resettling of the land, built the Mt. Gerazim Temple.
The Samaritans then used the same Temple, believing that Abraham offered up Isaac on Mt. Gerazim rather than Mt. Moriah. Islam teaches that Abraham offered up Ishmael on Mt. Moriah, but now the Holy shrine is located in Mecca.
We can see this parallel as an attempt to alter the true belief system that G-d has intended - and His plan for Jerusalem and all eternity.
Actually there is no confusion - Allah was one of 360 pagan G-ds chosen by Mohammed to be the G-d of his new religion. Although it may be monotheistic - as believing in one G-d - that deity is still pagan.
Yahweh was the living G-d of Abraham because he chose Abraham the man. The man Mohammed chose Allah out of a pagan celestial salad bar, a G-d of war and fertility. Allah was not a G-d who sought people whose true worship would be in their hearts.
Just as the Samaritan women were caught between two philosophers, ultimately she “saw the light” and choose the spiritual concept of accepting Jesus.
The same parallel can be seen today as the world is literally in the valley of decision - as they must choose between Islam and the Judeo-Christian belief.
Now, as so many voices are going forth into the world, many try to prop up Islam as compatible and very similar to Christianity and Judaism.
However, this is not the case. As we all stand in the valley of decision regarding Israel and supporting her we need to realize Islam was not based on the teachings of the Apostles and Prophets.
Also, it must be pointed out that the teachings of the Koran seek to destroy these two religions, as well as Israel and America.
Perhaps these statements appear harsh to you, the reader, please feel free to peruse the resources and commentary available at http://www.standwithyou.com/ and should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at ariel@standwithyou.com.
In the meantime, please remember to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and support the nation of Israel, as she is still preferred by our G-d - above all.