Family - Ancient and New

​Today I was up early and decided to take a long walk, meandering the hillsides of the Judean hills in which we are staying. The wind cut through fleece but was invigorating and reminded me of how wonderful and precious life is.

My walk started in the Biblical Gardens of Yad Hashmona Inn, our lodging place and an environment full of surroundings that remind you of our Lord Yeshua (Jesus) at every turn. These included things clearly spiritual such as scripture verses. There were also more corporate things, but ones from the time not distant from the life of Yeshua, such as an ancient olive press from the early Roman Hellenistic period, and an ancient stone winery from the Byzantine period, which included a large, stone treading and fermentation vat!

The walk along the hills led to many other thought provoking findings such as a Jewish family cemetery plot. On the graves were piled many stones of remembrance, an ancient Jewish custom originating from loved ones wanting to protect the grave from wild animals by regular visits and routine placement of stones. Once again, these graves and the love shown by family was a reminder of how precious, and fleeting life is and how important love is. And how we are able to love because God first loved us.

Later in the morning most of our group took a trip to Ain Karem (Ein Karem) which is only about one mile from Jerusalem as the crow flies. The origin of this town is tied to the fact that a flowing stream emerged from the Judean Hillsides here and still flows to this day. As a result, a town grew up around the spring and, according to tradition, became the home of Zechariah and Elizabeth, the father and mother of John the Baptist, and therefore his birthplace. It is also a reminder that in scripture, Mary visited Elizabeth here and that “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Luke 1:41). Surrounded by so many things plucked from the pages of God’s Word, it was not so much a sightseeing trip as an inspiration to prayer and reflection. The flowing to this very day of the spring, which it is presumed was partaken of by Mary and Elizabeth along with their families, was a reminder of “… whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:14). Though this spring in Ain Karem may someday dry-up and cease to flow, by grace alone through faith alone our names are written into the eternal book of life.

We ended the day with a wonderful celebration of the Jewish festival of Purim, commemorating God’s rescue of the Jewish people as recounted in the book of Esther. We celebrated and shared a potluck meal with Israeli believers at their local assembly. There was food, fellowship, a sharing of the Word, prayer, and much fun and laughter. For many of our alumni it was a time of joyful reunion. For those of us “newbies” it was a time of making new friends with brothers and sisters in the body of Christ.

​Marc Gl
​​ova
Littleton, NC​