Who was I really? (1) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2024

Andrew first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, We have found the Messiah (which is translated, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus.
John 1:40-42.

Who was I really? (1)
William tells: "I was born as the son of a Jewish family in Tunisia. In the 1950's my parents moved to Paris. It was then that I began to ask questions about my identity. At the age of 16 I went to Israel to live in a kibbutz for 6 months. It was an extraordinary experience that intensified my questioning.

Who was I really? A Jew born in Tunisia, brought up in France, seeking his identity. Should I accept my parents' culture, or should I discard the traditions of my ancestors and become fully integrated in French culture?

In the kibbutz I made the acquaintance of Judy, a Christian girl from Canada who wanted to discover the land of the Bible. I asked her questions about her faith and finally bought myself a Bible. The more I read it, the more questions arose. But I did find many answers in the Bible.

People I knew about were mentioned in the Bible, like Abraham, Moses or King David. I discovered that they led their life with God. What I read surprised me and gripped me all the more. Then it clicked. I, too, a Tunisian boy could make contact with God and even have a personal relationship with Him.

The concept I had of Jesus was turned upside down: I had always regarded Him as a non-Jew. As I read on, I recognised that He was a Rabbi, but one quite different from the descriptions I had heard of Him. I realised that Jesus loved the Jewish people."

(to be concluded tomorrow)

Today's reading: Exodus 26:1-14 · Luke 10:1-16