My parents raised me in the Jewish... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2024

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:1

My parents raised me in the Jewish faith. My mother told me about the Messiah who would one day redeem all people. But the Nazi genocide had destroyed this seed of hope in me.

After my studies, singing became my religion. I became a singer and actor and I was very successful: soon I was performing with the most famous singers of the time. But this success didn’t bring me inner peace and I asked myself what was the meaning of my life.

“Are you at peace?” I sometimes asked my fellow artists with whom I was on tour. I remember well the answer of the famous chansonnier Jacques Brel (1929–1978): “With money we can pay for almost everything we want – you know that; but this peace you speak of has no price. Not even with all the money in the world can we buy it.”

I was not satisfied with this so I also discussed it with my father, who had studied many religions. I told him about my questions and my search for the meaning of life. He listened to me attentively. Then he gave me a New Testament that he had received from a missionary.

It surprised me that he, as a Jew, recommended this book which is usually rejected by my people. However, although my father was committed to Jewish traditions, he was liberal-minded and open for discussion. He held the view that it was always better to go back to the sources. And so I took his advice and read the New Testament. From the beginning I was impressed by the words of Jesus, by His message of love and peace.

(to be continued tomorrow)

Today’s reading: 1 Samuel 4:12-22 · Ephesians 5:22-33