Unwavering commitment

Today our group did much better in the heat. We were able to start the day hiking up to Masada, where our guide, Yehuda, led us through and taught all kinds of history on this incredible palace that Herod had built two thousand years ago.

After a quick stop for lunch, we moved on to Qumran and looked around where the Essenes had their seminary, and saw the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Marty then led a hike up the mountain for those who were feeling well enough, and gave a lesson on the unwavering commitment of the Essenes, and challenged us to consider where our own commitment to the Lord stands.

We finished the day on the way to our next hotel by stopping at a stable a lot like the one Jesus would have been born in, and discussed what it means that Jesus was willing to meet us in the middle of our mess. Marty challenged us to consider allowing this truth to change the way we think about Christmas, and looking for ways to celebrate it that reinforce the narrative that God has always been telling.