But as we left we were assured that I would not be welcome and would be deported if I ever tried to return. It might seem strange but there is organized persecution of Messianic Jews in Israel, especially by the Ministry of Interior where the decisions as to who gets into Israel and who doesn’t are made. We never did anything illegal; my only crime was being a Messianic Jew.

You may know that our son Matt was also deported when he tried to return to immigrate to Israel. This resulted in a court case that joined him with eleven others that had similar treatment, and that was taken to the Israeli Supreme Court. We decided to wait until Matt’s verdict was rendered before we returned to Israel. After several delays his case was brought before the Supreme Court of Israel this past spring. It was victorious, giving the petitioners including Matt the right to immigrate to Israel.

So with prayer and planning, we flew to Israel. Our Israeli lawyer advised us to take a copy of an article from an Israeli newspaper detailing our story from last time. 

At Passport Control Miriam was let through but I was detained for questioning. I was thankful to have the article, since it showed the Ministry of the Interior apologized for my treatment four years ago. He made a call to his superior. Soon enough, I was politely told that I could enter the country this time, though my name would remain on the ‘unwanted persons list’! So with great thanks and relief I joined Miriam and some friends who had come to meet us at the airport.

We traveled in Northern and Central Israel during our first four days. I spoke at three different Messianic congregations, gave a seminar on Messianic theology, and met with fellow believers to give counsel, fellowship and encouragement.

Goin’ Down South!
Saturday evening I spoke in the Southern part of Israel at the Eilat Congregation. giving a five part seminar on the importance of healthy Messianic congregations. After my first message at the Saturday evening service I was introduced to a lovely couple who had been attending the congregation for several months. I learned that although the husband was a believer in Messiah his Israeli wife, Shira* had not yet accepted the Messiah.  I had a chance to ask Shira directly.

“What is keeping you from becoming a believer in the Messiah?”

“Well, my father was religious,” she replied.

I realized this as an excuse and not a reason so I responded, “Really, my father was Orthodox and I was also raised in an Orthodox home attending synagogue every week, but this did not stop me from considering the facts and accepting Yeshua as our promised Messiah.”

“But Sam, my family would not understand, they will be upset with me.”

“Shira, I think that by marrying a non-Jewish man you have already done something that is very non-traditional. And from what you have said your families now accept your marriage and are delighted with their granddaughter.”

“But there have been so many who claim to be the Messiah, how can we know that Yeshua is really the One?”

This was an opportunity to look at the Scriptures together. I explained how according to the timing of Scripture the Messiah had to be here after 9 AD and before 70 AD, while the temple still stood (Genesis 49:10, Malachi 3:1).
Her reaction was surprising as she said softly, “That must mean that He is the only one.”  But she quickly added, “I’ll be considering this, but you know some people take longer than others and I am not ready to make this decision.” Our conversation ended as her small child needed her attention.

A Happy Birthday
The next morning we met for the second message of the seminar and to my surprise Shira and her husband attended. Afterwards I approached Shira and spoke to her.

“After our conversation last night I am concerned that instead of actually considering the facts from Scripture about Yeshua and experiencing His love through this congregation, you may be hardening your heart. Often we think that resisting the faith is seen in aggressive behavior when it can also be passive unbelief which will cause you to be callous and hardened, unable to respond to the truth.”

Shira replied, “You’re right Sam.”

I then asked her, “Can you think of one good reason as to why you would not accept Yeshua as our promised Messiah?” 

“No, I can’t.” She indicated that she wanted to trust in Messiah’s forgiveness at that moment. 

As I led Shira in prayer, first praying for her and then having her pray, I felt a profound sense of thankfulness well up in my soul. What a privilege to be here in Israel praying with a daughter of Israel. 

She told her husband first who was filled with joy, then she told the leaders of the congregation. We all rejoiced together. Please keep this new sister in your prayers that she may grow strong in her walk and witness.