Devotional Archives - Sanitation Workers For Jesus

Why John the Baptist?

John the Baptist is a significant individual to Christians of all denominations. His message was for all to hear, regardless of wealth or status. John the Baptist spoke of better things to come. He called for all mankind to reflect on their wrongdoings and shortcomings and strive to do better and be better.

A Martyr for Speaking Truth

Even in his final days, John the Baptist stood by his moral principles and spoke truth to power. He died a martyr for his cause at the hands of a corrupt leader. John the Baptist gave his life for what he knew in his heart to be true and moral, no matter what the cost.

A History to be Proud Of

Right now, communities across the country are struggling with the morality of our nation’s history and the way that manifests in our culture today. John the Baptist is a symbolic figure for washing away sins and repenting. He also calls us, even today, to do better in our daily lives.

Many cities are already revisiting the names of schools, streets and other prominent sites that feature names associated with racism and oppression. We believe John the Baptist Boulevard should be considered as an option during these renaming discussions.STAND WITH US

Bring John the Baptist Blvd to YOUR City

Join the movement and take action. We’ve prepared a variety of Community Resources as a starting place for a movement in your city.COMMUNITY RESOURCES

1. Choose a Street

Identify a street in your area to rename. We recommend streets near or leading to a body of water.

2. Start a Petition

Create a petition online identifying the street you want to rename and along with your reason why.

3. Contact Local Leaders

Reach out to your local community leaders, such as your Mayor or Town Council. They may be able to help.

Supporting the Cause is Easy

Sign the Petition

There is strength in numbers. Add your name to the John the Baptist Boulevard petition for your area or start a petition today. Tell our leaders you want to see John the Baptist recognized by renaming a street in his honor.CHANGE.ORG PETITIONS

Spread the Word

Tell your friends and neighbors about the movement to rename a street for John the Baptist. Ask them to visit johnthebaptistblvd.com to learn more and sign the petition.CONTACT US

Write a Letter

Contact your local and state representatives. Send an email, write a letter or call their offices to let them know you want to see a street in your community renamed for John the Baptist.TAKE ACTION

I’m spending my first year in college away from home on a gap year in Israel, living in the heart of Jerusalem. I am enjoying the freedom and loving the atmosphere of the city. But recently, every time I turn on the news, read an article on my phone, or look out my bedroom window, I feel sickened to see another shooting, another riot, another child without parents. I feel sickened to see the world stand behind Mahmoud Abbas as he calls his people a “people of peace” and to hear their “deafening silence” in reaction to the crimes they commit as Prime Minister Netanyahu put it this week. I feel sickened by it all.

What people of peace leave 5 children (and growing with each attack) as orphans after they kill their parents right in front of their young, innocent eyes and then not only have no condemnation, but receive warm wishes for their “heroic acts”? What world raises the flag on the world stage of a people, even though not all their civilians are violent or radical, have a government which supports and calls for terrorist activities?

We all feel sickened by this, and all we do is stand in the streets asking why the world won’t pay attention to this? Why is the media unfair? Why won’t governments act on this, condemn it, and give the Palestinians an ultimatum of legitimate peace or no more support? All we do is ask why, but we don’t act.

As I look out of my window onto a busy night time Paris Square in Jerusalem, I learn what we need to do from the people I see. I see police officers. Jewish. I see taxi drivers. Jewish. I see hotel bellhops and street performers and soldiers. All Jewish. I see Jewish garbage men, and I learn a lesson. In the rest of the world, I’d never think of seeing a Jewish garbage man or many Jewish police officers or taxi drivers. But here in Israel, you wouldn’t think twice about it. We need the Jewish people to do all these jobs. We have to do it all for ourselves in Israel. It should be no different on the world stage, in the media, in this conflict. So many ask why there is no response and why what little response we get is so biased and incorrect. The answer is that we need to do it for ourselves, we need to stand as the strong and united Jewish people we are and say “this is enough!”

I have a wish for this world. While just a few miles from where I write this article tonight there are people who live in fear and people who wish to spill as much innocent blood just because the blood is that of Jews, I hope that one day, just a few miles from where I write this article, any Jew or Muslim or Christian can enjoy life. They can go out and enjoy the bagel and hot chocolate I had tonight with friends, they can write essays and study for classes, and live normal lives, all without the fear of those who wish to spill their blood simply because it is Jewish or Muslim or Christian blood. I wish for that, but I know because of what the Jewish garbage man taught me, that it will only happen if we stop apologizing, stand up together, and tell the world we have had enough.

http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/what-the-jewish-garbage-man-taught-me/