VENICE BEACH

Last week I had the opportunity to visit with my oldest son, Micah, who lives in California. He is very much into the “art scene” and sometime works out of a studio in Venice Beach. So, of course, he wanted to show me the studio as well as introduce me to some of his friends.

Barely having an ounce of creativeness in my bones, I confess the art world all seems a bit surreal to me. My perception of the surreal, however, was surely “upgraded” to a new level when I entered the studio in Venice. I am not really sure how to explain that which I saw…just very interesting. Someday my son will just have to take you there as he did me!

During my visit, however, little did I realize the rather significant spiritual conversation I was to have with the studio’s owner, a man named Jim. If you know anything about Venice Beach, you realize that those who live there are suspect—for a lot of reasons. Well, of course, I’m just kidding, but let’s just say that Venice Beach and Godliness are at opposite ends of the spectrum. So…in fact it is a very good “mission field” and little did I realize that my subsequent meeting with Jim would drive home—to me—that very point.

As Micah and I were saying our goodbyes to those we had met, Jim made a point to tell me how good it was to meet the father of a young man whom he respected so highly. In turn he invited us to come over to see his condominium. Now I must admit I wasn’t so excited by the idea; my intent was to spend time with my son whom I so seldom see. But clearly there was not getting out of this one—especially when God had other plans!

Micah and I met up with Jim at his place about an hour later. His condo was in a twenty-some story building overlooking Venice Beach. And, upon opening the door to his unit, there was no question that we were in the condominium of an artist. (Quite frankly, I wasn’t sure even where to sit fearing that the chair I might choose was part of some art “installation.” I learned that term that day and am still not sure exactly what one is!).

Walking around the condo Jim proceeded to point out the various improvements he had made to the condo throughout the 25 years he had lived there. Then it hit me: Jim’s condo was the very expression of his life and the additions he had made inextricably linked to who he was as a person. Perhaps in a way never before realized, I recognized how life in Christ is so much deeper—associating my value as a person with that Someone who transcends the momentary and the material—than that which is known by the world. With that realization God gave me a compassion for Jim which caused me to be on the lookout for an opportunity to share my faith.

Within a few minutes the “tour” was over and the three of us sat down (I first asked, however, if the particular chair I had chosen was an acceptable place to sit!). As I had asked Jim about his background and interests, he eventually turned to me and asked, “So, Carmen, what do you do?”

“Well, Jim, I work with Christian university students—helping them think through their faith and helping them consider answers to some of the questions they get from peers about God and Jesus. Essentially, I center my instruction on the responses to two key questions in life: ‘Is there a God?’ and, if so, ‘Is He knowable—can one have contact and communication with Him?’”

At that point Micah spoke up and told Jim about my book, Engage! “Yea, my dad has even written a book featuring some of the conversations he has had with people on those same two questions.”

Jim seemed genuinely interested. I prayed for wisdom and for words.

Then came the salient question. “Do you have any conversations with Jewish people?” Jim queried.

The past 25 years our family has lived in Southeast Florida which boasts the third largest Jewish population outside of Israel. The city next to which we live, Boca Raton, is approximately 65% Jewish. If you’ve read my book, then you will recall “Alan’s Story”—my recounting of a Jewish friend of mine who became a follower of Yeshua (Jesus). Having lived in close proximity to such an extraordinary Jewish population center has afforded me many opportunities to converse with Jewish people.

“Well, as a matter of fact, I do include conversations with Jewish people. One of my favorite chapters in the book features a several-year long ‘conversation’ with my Jewish friend, Alan. Are you, yourself, of Jewish heritage?” I asked Jim.

“Yes,” Jim replied quickly.

“Are you, then, of orthodox, conservative, or reformed heritage?” This is a question I often ask my Jewish friends. Not only does it indicate that I recognize that the Jewish people are not a monolithic group, but it also suggests I know a bit more about them than perhaps the average person.

“Well, we were raised conservative, but I really never went back to synagogue after my bar mitzvah,” Jim replied with a bit of a chuckle. Given the fact he had revealed his connection with his Jewish heritage was a bit slim, he added enthusiastically, “But I do fast every year during Yom Kippur!”

At this point, Micah entered the conversation. “Yea, one year I called Jim not realizing it was Yom Kippur. I asked him how he was doing and he said, ‘Man, I’m starving Micah! I’m fasting for Yom Kippur!’”

Micah’s recollection even caused Jim to laugh. But I couldn’t allow the remarks Jim and Micah had made about his fasting during Yom Kippur to be lost amidst laughter. God seemed to impress upon me the importance of a follow-up question.

“Jim, I like your openness. May I ask you a question?” I had to explore Jim’s motives for fasting given the significance of Yom Kippur as the holiest day of the Jewish calendar (Yom Kippur—or the Day of Atonement—was when the high priest would sacrifice a goat and sprinkle the blood on the Mercy Seat in the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle—eventually the Temple—on behalf of the nation of Israel. It was the only time during the year he was allowed to enter the holiest part of the Tabernacle or Temple. Yom Kippur was the day set aside to seeking God’s forgiveness for the sins of the nation, henceforth the sins of the people corporately.)

“Please do,” Jim responded kindly.

“Why do you fast for Yom Kippur?”

Immediately Jim responded, “For the forgiveness of my sins.” His reply was standard and straightforward. But he—along with other Jewish people I have known—was missing a very important part of the equation. So I continued by asking another question.

“Well, as I read the Hebrew Scriptures, they indicate that the Law requires an animal sacrifice to be offered in order for forgiveness to be effected. Given the fact there is no more Temple, and no more animal sacrifices, tell me what assurance do you have that your sins are forgiven?” I waited for his response.

Thoughtfully he replied, “I guess I really don’t have assurance.”

I continued carefully. “Jim, have you ever investigated the claims of Jesus and the role He said He played in knowing God?” (Now I would not normally recommend this question “out of the box” for many Jewish people. However, given the openness of the conversation, along with the fact that Jim was not deeply entrenched in Judaism, I risked being very straightforward. You may read chapter 9 in Engage! for a different, but equally open, path down which to proceed.)

“Well, not really, though I do know some of things He said.” Jim’s honesty and openness was compelling.

“I appreciate very much your allowing me to be so open about this, but if what Jesus said is true, it is truly significant. Essentially, Jesus claimed to be God’s final sacrifice for the sins of the Jewish people as well as the goyim [Hebrew word for “nations” and often translated “Gentiles”]. He said that through Him one could establish a personal relationship with God.”

“Well, I guess I should read your book to find out more about what Jesus said.” Jim’s response was lighthearted, though sincere. I sensed that this particular conversation was nearing its conclusion, but I did want to leave at least with Jim a suggestion as to how he might explore the claims of Jesus when sufficiently interested.

“Though I would be privileged to give you a copy of my book, Jim, I must tell you that the best place to learn more about Jesus’s claims is from those who knew Him best. For example, the writings or Mark or John—both followers of Jesus—would be good places to start. Micah would be happy to get you a copy of either.

As Micah and I left it was apparent Jim had deeply appreciated our visit. Once again, God had provided a completely unexpected conversation with one of those “artist-types” from Venice Beach. More importantly, however, I realized that God had allowed me to develop a friendship with someone in whose life He was working and that He had allowed me to be a part of His plan.