Passover-Easter-Jerusalem

There are 2 times a year when major Jewish and Christian holidays coincide. We are about to enter one of those periods. Jesus's Last Supper was the Passover seder so it is no coincidence that Passover and Easter fall within a few days of one another.

And where did the Last Supper occur? In Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is the holiest city for the Jewish people and is pretty high up there for the Christian community. At the time of the Last Supper and at the time over 3,000 years ago when Kind David proclaimed Jerusalem as the capital city of the Jews there was no East Jerusalem or West Jerusalem.

The common bond that Jews and Christians have for Jerusalem was manifested last week at the AIPAC policy conference where over 7500 delegates, Christians and Jews alike expressed their support and love for Israel.

Future construction in a part of North Jerusalem that is not inhabited by any Palestinians seems to be a distraction that is taking on much more than it should. There will be no displacement of people, no demolition of homes no disruption to life....Gaza has been returned, Israel left Lebanon long ago, the Sinal was returned, Israel still is subject to rocket attacks from Gaza and Lebanon, many roadblocks and checkpoints have been removed in the West Bank, families are now being permitted from both sides of the Seam Line to visit. Concessions? What else should Israel be doing? No Jewish construction in Jerusalem in areas that are out of the conflict zone? Israel gave up Sinai, Gaza, when real nogitiations took place. What makes anyone believe that In a real final peace solution Israel would not continue to make sacrifices for peace and security.

Which brings me back to Passover and Easter and Jerusalem.

At this time when Jews celebrate their freedom from slavery and Christians celebrate the resurrection of Christ, one common thread is evident-the role that Jerusalem plays in the lives of both peoples.