So Ryan and I have been here in Israel for over a month now. We have learned a lot about the history of God's people, the history leading up to His birth, Jesus' life and ministry, and learned a lot of other things as well. We have been amazed at all the places we have been to:
Golgotha: Where Jesus was crucified. John 19:17
On top of the Mount of Olives:
Western Wall:
Golden Gate/Eastern Gate:
Jericho:
Jordan River: Where the Israelites crossed into the promise land, where Jesus got baptized by John. Matthew 3:13-17
Dead Sea: So much salt you just float!
En Gedi: Where David fled from Saul. 1 Samuel 23:29- Chapter 24. Where David wrote a lot of his Psalms. Psalm 57 and 63.
Qumran: where the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered.
Southern Steps: The original steps Jesus would have walked on up to the temple.
and so much more!
This week we are celebrating Passover. It has been interesting to watch and observe all that is going on around us.
Every grocery store, restaurant and bakery replaces their baked goods/ bread with unleavened bread or other non bread treats. It was interesting walking by our favorite pastery place to see our favorite chocolate triangle crosaunts replaced with chocolate date balls. Then to go to the grocery store to see a lot of the shelves of food covered with tarps to turn the grocery store kosher for Passover week.
At the same time is was really neat because it puts my mind to question why they do this. The passover for them is a reminder that God took them out of Egypt and brought them to the promise land. Its awesome to be able to have a visual reminder as you walk down the streets. For us believers it goes even deeper. This is the week that Christ revealed Himself as the King as He rode down into Jerusalem on a donkey (Matthew 21). He was beaten, mocked, and put to death on the cross for our sins (27). But on the third day He rose from the dead, conquering death (Matthew 28)! He died so that we can have a personal relationship with Him. That we could be free from death and our sins (John 3:16). It is such a blessing to be able to be here in Jerusalem during this time. I cant help but be amazed. Jesus was here in Jerusalem during Passover week. He celebrated Passover. How weird that must have been for Him knowing that He was the Lamb to be sacrificed. He was here watching His people bring their sacrifices. He even physically walked over the river of blood from the sacrifices. Imagine what He was thinking... all this blood was worthless unless He died on the cross. He was all that blood.... all that sacrifice. I can't believe I am here in Israel, to see the Mount of Olives, Palm Sunday road and the Garden of Gethsemane and read my Bible about what Jesus did/was going through as I look out at those spots. Read up on Matthew 26. He celebrates the Passover in verses 17-35 and verses 36-56 is when Jesus went to pray in the garden and got arrested.
I wish every believer could be here right now. Seriously, if you don't already have a trip planned to Israel... BOOK ONE! :) Pray for finances, nothing is impossible for God. You must come see all of this! It brings your Bible to life. You can see all the places you read about with your own two eyes.
The two verses that the Lord showed to me in my devotions this morning is perfect for this week as we celebrate what Jesus Christ did on the cross for us...
"Our God is the God of salvation; and to GOD the Lord belong escapes from death" Psalm 68:20
God allowed His son to come down on earth, to live a sinless life, to die on the cross and rise again to be the ONE sacrifice that would take away ALL our sins away. You guys, we are free from death because of what Jesus Christ did. All we need to do is believe in Him. I pray that if you don't know Jesus personally that He would become so real to you this week. Let Him show you who He is. I pray you realize what He is offering to you. Its a free gift that saves you from death, from hell. I pray you chose to believe in Him. There is no one who can satisfy that longing/ that emptiness in your heart but Him.
"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise" Proverbs 11:30
I am so convicted of this one. The Lord has shown me so much of Himself. He has given us all a free gift and we need to tell others about it. So many people have the wrong idea of who Jesus is. It should be our heart to tell them about Jesus. We should have a love for God and a love for people.... and a love to bring the two together. So lets encourage each other to share what Christ had done for us and what He can do for those we are sharing with. Invite someone to an Easter service! :) Lets get motivated to spread the good news!
Before this blog post gets too long (well longer...) I want to share with you about the Seder Passover dinner we got to have!
Each food item you see in the picture stands for something that reminds the Jews of what had happened. How God saved them from Egypt. For example, the green parsley is dipped into the salted water to remind them of their ancestors tears they shed during slavery. The purple stuff is horse radish: the bitter herb which is a reminder of the harsh conditions of slavery. The stuff on the orange plate is a mix of apples, cinnamon, grape juice and nuts as a reminder of the mud the Israelite made bricks out of for Pharaoh. The lambs bone represents the Lamb that was offered up as a sacrifice. These are just a few examples.
As a believer it was awesome to be a part of and see how Jesus is in and through it all. I'll share one of my high lights of the night. I wish I got a picture of this pouch looking thing (you can see it a little on the top left of the picture above, white fabric with gold on it). There are three compartments and in each they put some Matzah (unleavened bread) in there. But they only take out the center one... They break it in half, putting half of it back in the pouch and the other part they hide. Later on during the dinner the kids have to go find it. Who ever finds it first brings it to the "Man of the House" and they don't give it back unless they make a good deal with the Man of the House. This in my mind, and as our messianic friend explained, is an example of Jesus. The three pouches represent the trinity. The Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. The center one being Jesus. To us as believers it resembles Christ who died and rose again on the third day. And how Jesus was sold by Judas. I encourage you to google Passover Seder that will explain more of this dinner in depth. Another cool thing that stood out to me was that the "Man of the House" wears a white rob... our Messianic friend explained that this was like the robe of righteousness... Isaiah 61:10 "I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels." Many cool things about this dinner. I personally think it would be cool to add this to our Easter week and kick the bunny out. :)
Praying for you guys back at home! And for the Easter services that will be happening. Praying for hearts to be opened and for you guys to be bold to share Jesus! Love you all.
