The Holy Land is nothing short of remarkable. It blew me away being able to walk where Jesus walked; the Bible came alive as I walked in footsteps of some of the great men and women of faith.

One thing I quickly learnt while visiting the old city is that Jerusalem is divided into quarters. Christian, Armenian, Muslim, and Jewish, and they all live within the tight boundaries of the ancient city.

It was fascinating crossing from one quarter into another during my stay. It was like stepping into another country.

After becoming lost one evening I knew almost immediately I had moved from the Jewish quarter into the Muslim quarter.

There was a distinct difference in the way people looked, the way they spoke and the way they prayed. I picked this up in the short few minutes while I was trying to reorientate myself.

The Jews on the other hand wear skull-caps, interact with each other differently, and eat different foods. They approach life in a different way.  

So what does this have to do with me as a Christian?

I knew almost immediately what quarter of Jerusalem I was in, not because of my confusing map, but because of the way people lived. Their religion is their life. It affects everything they do and both sides left me with no doubts as to what religion they followed.

It left me to ponder how much my faith in Jesus affects my life?

What happens when people walk into ‘Dan’s quarter’? What’s going on inside their head? Am I just another nice bloke, or is there something more that points them to Christ.

Our culture seduces us to fit the mould. Talk, act, dress, think, ‘BE’ like the world.

Media instructs us to accept the lies we’re told and follow the norm.

However, in what I find to be one of the most challenging passages in the Bible Jesus commands us to be salt and be light in the world we live in.

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill can’t be hidden.”

Jesus continues, “Let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14

Jesus is saying people should know exactly what quarter you’re in… because when they look they’ll see the light of Christ shining through you.

Those few days in Jerusalem challenged me to approach my life very differently. God wants us to nail our flag to the wall, and let the world we live in, know exactly where we stand. And that’s by living a radical Spirit filled life of obedience to God.

Daniel Sercombe

Journalist

Counter Culture

daniel@counterculture.com.au