Where did it happen?

 

In June of 2022, I had the great privilege of traveling to Israel with Indiana Wesleyan as a part of my Masters program. I cannot overstate the impact of this trip. Just the idea that I visited the places where Jesus walked is still overwhelming. As I am studying the birth of Jesus I was taken back to our trip to the Church of the Nativity. The picture above taken in Bethlehem is the alleged spot of Jesus' birth. In all honesty, we do not know exactly where it took place, but we know Bethlehem was the city. Amazingly, this church has withstood countless religious wars. Even the Muslims treat this place with respect. The men from the east, or the Wisemen as we call them, are possibly ancestors of the Muslim community and when they were at war with the Jewish community 1000 years ago they happened upon this church and saw the depictions of the Wisemen and decided not to destroy it. They knew the significance of what happened here in Bethlehem. 

When I visited Israel I was like a kid in a candy store. We traveled from place to place to explore the places where Jesus visited. We experienced the stories of the Old Testament and the spot of Jesus, death, burial, and resurrection. We really don't know the exact spots, but the locations have been celebrated for years. There are many sites we know without hesitation and the impact of those sights is all the more powerful. More important than where is the fact that it DID happen and even if you never get to physically walk where Jesus walked, you can walk with Jesus every day of your life! 

I love that the Wisemen were searching for Jesus:

"Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him." (Matthew 2:1-2)

AND, I love that people are even now, 2000 years later, seeking the same Jesus! Now we get to read about the life of this child who rose to be a man, a man who took on the sins of the world so that we might have life and have it more abundantly. He sacrificed his life so that we might live and reign with him in eternity. Where did it happen? We do not know many of the exact locations, but I can tell you that Jesus now resides in the hearts of those who seek him, including me!

Later in Matthew, a group of women were going out to the tomb of Jesus. Like the Wisemen, like millions of people today, they were searching for Jesus. 

"Then the angel spoke to the women, 'Don't be afraid' he said. 'I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified, He isn't here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you." (Matthew 28:5-7)

Jesus has risen. He no longer is buried in a grave. He lives within the people who seek him; we are his chosen people. NOW, we are called to share that message with anyone and everyone who will listen. Where can we find him? We can proudly point to our own hearts. Jesus lives within us, those who are called children of the MOST HIGH GOD!