The Sabbath in Israel

June 5th, 2010

Today we had the honor of being in Jerusalem, the Holy City, on the Sabbath. It is fascinating to see an entire city shut down for the day to honor the Sabbath. This morning was a very moving and emotional time for me as we visited the garden tomb that marks the traditional spot where Jesus body was buried after the cross. It was in the garden tomb that the angel of God rolled away the stone and declared that Christ had risen (Luke 24). We observed the Lord’s Supper and had a time of worship at the place where the resurrection took place….AMAZING!!!

After seeing the garden tomb we walked the Via Dolorosa through the city of Jerusalem which marks the road Christ walked as he carried his cross to the resurrection. Carrying the cross was part of the humilation of death by crucifixtion. As if the physical agony was not enough, the Romans often made people carry their own crosses so that they would be on display and humiliated for the crimes. Seeing the path Jesus walked and getting a fuller picture of the humiliation he endured gives a whole new meaning to what Jesus said in Matthew 16:24 “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.” Jesus lived this verse for us. Are we willing to live this call for Him?

The Road to the Cross from Cedarcrest Church on Vimeo.

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