Remained the same

As I sit and contemplate our day, I think of how privileged we all are to visit and explore the land of Israel. This trip has made the Bible come to life of all the stories we have read, been taught and put our faith in. We have seen places that have existed for two to three thousand years since the time of Abraham. The names of cities and people have remained the same and have been found in the diligence of archeologists and the Jewish nation to persevere its history. 

Today, as well as yesterday, we have visited the Temple Mount and City of David. This has been a highlight to see a city that is so revered by Jews, Christians, as well as Muslims. The evidence is overwhelming of the truth of the Bible. God has been revealing evidence through old finds as well as many recent finds of the history of our faith. We have seen the personal seals today that have been found of people who are mentioned in the Bible at the City of David, and the oldest inscription of the Aaronic priestly blessing. We have walked through Jebusite tunnel that David traveled through to conquer the city. We sat on the steps of the Pool of Siloam, which are 2,000 years old, where the blind man was given sight by Jesus. We walked on the street at the base of the temple and the Southern Steps that Jesus used to enter and exit the city to Solomon’s temple. 

We then visited Yad Vashem,  the Holocaust memorial, a place of remembrance. We must never forget what evil man is capable of doing. It reminds me of the Shema, our theme this week. This remembrance was etched into the minds of Jewish people as they perished under the tyranny of man. I listened to a story today of a young child who survived the Holocaust. He was shot along with his family. As they fell into the open grave, he heard his parents saying the Shema:

Hear O Israel;

The Lord is our God
The Lord alone!
Love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
and with all your soul,
and with all your might,
and love your neighbor
as yourself. Amen.

Let us leave a legacy to show the world the love of our Savior and the price He paid for our salvation.

—Gary and Angela Merrill