Joseph Paul Stern

Joseph Stern was a native of Hungary, where he worked as a teacher in a public school before entering into business. When war broke out in 1851 he left Hungary and made his way to the land of Palestine (Israel today) at the age of thirty-five.  It was in Jerusalem that he first came into contact with fellow Jews who believed in Yeshua as their Messiah.  When he fell ill, his friends advised him to enter the hospital run by the London Jews Society.  It was here, during his illness, that he came to a saving faith. The grace and mercy of Yeshua was now the center of his life, and he desired greatly to bring it to the knowledge of his fellow countryment.  He joined the London Society as what was termed "Scripture Reader", which modest task he fulfilled with enthusiasm. His sincerity and burning testimony brought many others to their Messiah, who looked up to him as an elder brother.  He was fearless in preaching the Gospel, and became well respected and loved for his good heart and evident sincerity.  One friend remarks that  whether believers or not, people were able to tell him anything, and never found themselves the worse for following his advice or accepting his assistance. 

Stern was accustomed to spending entire nights on his knees, pleading for his people Israel. He devoted himself to preaching the Gospel among his fellow Jews, and was fearless in doing so. But as anyone has found who follows his Master's footsteps, persecution must needs follow.  At one point the animosity increased to where a group of men attacked Stern in the street and attempted to stone him to death. Providentially Ottoman guards were nearby and rescued him from their hands.  He in turn paid the guards 20 Piaster to let their prisoners go free!  Another time he was torn off his horse and beaten half to death; on another occasion he narrowly escaped being burned alive.  There were many like Daniel Landsman who thought they were "tsadik" and justified in assaulting Stern or pouring a jug of filthy water over his head! Nevertheless he persisted in praying for his people and to witness to them of Messiah. But Stern became well respected and known for his good heart. Bernstein writes of him that "few could resist his entreaties to accept salvation through Christ, and the Jews feared him as well as respected him, for he often rewarded them good for evil."

 It was through his witness that Daniel Landsmann, a tailor in Jerusalem, came to faith.  His first meeting with him was not very successful: Daniel punched him for having the audacity to speak with him about the Crucified One!  But he returned to Daniel's shop, and continued to witness to the fact that the scriptures teach of Messiah, and that Messiah is Jesus of Nazareth. Eventually a deep lasting friendship was struck between the two. Daniel's story may also be read on this site.  

In 1860, Stern traveled to Hungary in an attempt to reestablish ties with his family and tell them of his faith. he did have a chance to preach the gospel with them but barely escaped with his life as someone made an attempt to poison him.

Aaron Bernstein knew Stern personally, and writes that when he visited him in his final sickness, Stern asked to be dressed in his best clothes because he was going to the marriage supper of the Lamb. He died in Jerusalem  in 1873 with the words: "Christ is all". 

Source

Bernstein, A. Jewish Witnesses for Christ. 1909. New edition, Keren Ahvah Meshichit, 1999.
De le Roi, volume III
Saat auf Hoffnung. 1873, 206.
Jew. Int. 1873, 161. Rhein.-Westf. Blatt 1873, Nr. 12.
Freund Israels, Basel 1873, 289.
D. Landsmann in Nathanael 1892 200

 

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