No…not those stones : )
Today we began the day early by traveling to Bethlehem which is where…well, you know. What you may not know is that it is under Palestinian control. That means that our Israeli guide, Isaac, had to get off the bus and a Palestinian guide got on. We had to go through a checkpoint located in a wall covered with barbed wire to get into the town where our Lord was born. Another reminder of our need for a Savior.
Our new guide was a Christian and shared some things that will change the way we link of Bethlehem forever. The Church of the Nativity is built over what is thought to be the place where Jesus was born. This church survived when most of the churches in Israel were destroyed by occupying forces. History tells us that during one of the darkest times in Israeli history the Persians had taken the country and were killing all Christians and destroying all churches. Many Christians had gathered in the church for safety when the opposing forces arrived. The Persians surrounded the church and started to destroy the building with the people in it. Then it got quiet and the invaders left. They had seen a mosaic on the outside of the church depicting the three wise men bringing gifts to the baby Jesus. The wise men were Persian. The ruthless invaders spared the church in respect for the three in the picture. The people were saved and the church in Bethlehem was the only one left standing in Israel.
This is also the place where Jerome translated the Scriptures into Latin and the Latin Vulgate became the first Bible. So…in the town where the Word became flesh…the Word became print!
We also saw the fields where the shepherds were watching the sheep that first Christmas. We learned that these fields just a short way from Jerusalem were where they raised the sacrificial lambs for the Passover ceremonies. The special “sacrificial” lambs were kept holy (clean and pure) from birth by wrapping their feet in cloths so they would not touch the ground. What a wonderful place to be.
After leaving Bethlehem we went to the garden tomb. We were able to celebrate the Lord’s Supper there and the fact that we have a living God. Our guide at the tomb said that there is no other place where so many people come to see absolutely nothing…”He is not here, He has risen just as He said”.
In the last 24 hrs we have heard a similar theme that needs to be shared. The stones don’t matter! Don’t worry about the stones. The Scriptures tell us that the biggest worry the women had on that Sunday morning was who would move the stone…they didn’t have to.
Our guide in Palestine said “it is not the stones that are sacred. It is that they point us to Him”. Isaac, our guide at the wailing wall said, “it is not the stones of Herod’s temple that we worship”.
The stones are not sacred but they are significant. As we were reminded today…”you will never celebrate Christmas again without thinking about this time in Bethlehem. It will broaden your appreciation of what happen here every time you read the Bible.”
Thanks again Parkwood family for your prayers and encouragement!
Keep praying! More Later!