If you, even you, had only known what would bring you peace

I write this at the end of a very full day. We began this morning with devotions from Luke 19:41-42, "As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, 'if you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace - but now it is hidden from your eyes.'" We then went and gathered with a group of Palestinian Christians from a group known as "Sabeel" which is an Arabic word for "the way," recalling the Christians of first century Palestine who were called "the people of the way." We worshiped with them, celebrated communion, and then they provided a lovely meal, including chocolate cake for dessert :)

After a little bit of sightseeing once again in Old Jerusalem we were able to meet and personally hear the stories of two individuals from different sides of the conflict: a Palestinian woman whose brother was shot and killed by an Israeli soldier, as well as many in her family being imprisoned over the past many years, along with an Israeli man whose son was killed as a soldier in the Israeli army while on duty five days before his discharge. Both of them are part of a group
called "The Parents Circle - The Family Forumn," Israeli's and Palestinian's who have lost loved ones in the conflict who have come to the conclusion that the only way to acheive peace is through non-violent measures. Their stories were very moving and filled with tears which brought the day to full circle and a reminder of Jesus' words as he entered Jerusalem, "if you, even you, had only known what would bring you peace."