Gilad Shalit's capture and release is a lesson higher in meaning than the army role he played. Once again, the world, both Jew and Gentile, is reminded of one man's sacrifice and the beauty and pain that accompanied that life. Shalit is not unlike Jesus Christ the Son of the Most High God, although the former is a mere man. As a Jew, Jesus was sent into service for His country and His people. He also incooperated others into the struggle for freedom and peace for more than just His family and that is what the innocent young man of 21st century Israel did. Many others like him are in the same position- doing their thing and protecting their country, until some lunatic decides to stop their efforts from succeeding. The problem is founded on hatred, ignorance and a difference of opinion as to what makes life better. They have enemies that they have no reason sometimes to have but that is the reality. When they wear their uniforms and go to work in the mornig or night, their lives in the hands of those who love them or hate them if things go wrong, their lives mean a lot to not just their immediate family but to all those who love and fight for peace.
Gilad Shalit, the young man who looked pale and like a reminder of 1945 Europe, is just one of many children whom we have hurt deeply through our greed. How many Plaestinian children have died in the process of killing others? How many people have lost their young or unborn children because a bus was blown up somewhere or a building collapsed due to bombing. How many times have we seen the pain of children spread across our TVs and newspapers, hear their desperate cries but still care not? The innocents of our world are suffering and dying because those of us who wear suits and make big decision are abusing the priviledge someone gave us of allowing us to grow up. The struggle for peace and freedom continues in the world since forever ago and man is irredeemable in this respect. Man wants to keep on messing around until what changes? The pain we Kenyans for instance feel from hearing our brothers dying in Somalia trying to fight a group of unrulies that could not keep their madness within their borders is unnecessary. But, if for Kenya someone fights, to see that our land is once more safe to accomodate tourists and foreigners, some of whom are actually from Somalia, then a job has been done, and done well even if some of our soldiers cannot walk back home.
It is interesting for us who are in the UK to see Shalit's release in this month when Black History is celebrated across the land. It is historical to live through such a salvation story and if Shalit were to encounter Harold Camping, the American preacher who still thinks the world will bow out of existence on the 21st/October/2011, things would not be so nice at the table. Shalit would not like to hear that he only has a day to live with his parents and not a chance to do what he said was a lot now that he is out...and older, wiser etc. Jesus, when He ascended to heaven said the same thing and we've seen the work He began going on and on. I pray the experience of this young man will cause Jewish people to see and acknowledge their Messiah. It is all in the papers none can say they didn't hear or see it.
