Shalom from Nazareth, dear friends,
This week, as we continue to walk through a fragile season following the recent ceasefire, we find ourselves surrounded by both quiet and tension. Life here has not simply returned to normal—there is still uncertainty in the air, and the questions people carry in their hearts remain.
Yet in the middle of all this, the Lord continues to speak—often through the simplest things around us.
Recently, while reflecting on Yeshua’s words in the Gospel of Matthew, I was reminded of the parable of the wheat and the weeds. It is a picture many here in Israel understand well, especially in this season, when the fields begin to reveal what has truly been growing.
At first glance, wheat and weeds can look almost identical. Side by side, it is difficult to tell the difference. But as time passes, something becomes clear. The wheat, when it is full and mature, begins to bow down. Its head lowers under the weight of the grain it carries. It is full of life, full of seed, full of purpose. The weed, however, remains standing straight. It is empty—unchanged, unaffected, and without fruit.
There is something deeply spiritual in this picture.
When a person is filled with the Word of God, there is a natural humility that comes. A life that carries the presence of the Lord does not stand in pride—it bows in surrender. But when there is emptiness inside, pride often takes its place. Outwardly, the two may look similar. But over time, the fruit reveals the truth.
Yeshua tells us that both are allowed to grow together for a season. This is the mercy of God. It is His love giving opportunity—time for repentance, time for hearts to turn, time for truth to take root. But there will come a day of harvest, when what is real and what is empty will be revealed fully.
And so the question for each of us becomes very personal:
What are we filled with?
In these days, as we hear so much noise—news of conflict, memories of deep pain like the Holocaust, and the ongoing struggles around us—we are reminded of our calling. “Never again” is not only a phrase of remembrance; it is a responsibility. As believers, we are called to be light. To reflect mercy. To carry love. To stand in a way that points people back to the heart of God.
Here at Home of Jesus the King Church, this calling is not just something we speak about—it is something we are living out daily. In the midst of war and division, we continue to serve both Arab and Jewish communities, building bridges where there has been separation, and choosing reconciliation where there has been pain. This is the testimony of Yeshua alive in us—not only in words, but in action.
Even in the beauty of this season, we are reminded of this truth.
Around us, the fields are beginning to bloom. Simple flowers, which many here use to naturally color Easter eggs, appear for just a short time—bringing color, life, and a quiet reminder of renewal. In the same way, our lives are meant to bring something visible of God’s goodness into the world around us.
So we invite you, wherever you are, to choose to be like the wheat. To be filled with the Word of God. To walk in humility. To carry seeds of life that will bless others. To show the real Yeshua—through mercy, through love, and through a heart that is surrendered to Him.
We also ask you to continue standing with us in prayer.
We are approaching an important step in our ministry here in Nazareth—something we believe the Lord has been preparing for a long time. In the coming days, we look forward to sharing more with you. Your prayers, your support, and your partnership mean more than words can express.
Thank you for walking with us. Thank you for being part of what God is doing in this land.
With blessings from Nazareth,
Pastor Saleem Shalash