July 1–Mount of Olives
Sometimes when I was in Jerusalem I wondered “is this the for-sure place?” But other times and other places, there was no doubt—“it was right here!” Like the Kidron Valley that separates the mount of Olives from the old city is the same place—the name has not even changed.
The Kidron Valley where David ran through as he was running from his son Absolam. It’s the valley where Jesus rode the donkey on his way for the triumphant entry into Jerusalem. It’s the same Valley where after the last supper, Jesus and his disciples crossed to get to the Garden of Gethsemene on the Mount of Olives.
The Mount of Olives sits on the Eastern side of the Old City and obviously gets its name from all the olive groves that at one time covered most of the Mount. Olive trees have been known to live between 2,000 and 3,000 years. Some of the old, big and gnarled trees now on the Mount could have been there during the time of Christ. I think it’s significant that Mount of Olives was the site where Jesus foretold his second coming, where he prayed for the cup to be taken away and then, it was the site of the Ascension of Jesus. An important place for the Savior.
On one side of the Mount of Olives are the graves and tombs of 150,000 Jews who are buried facing the sealed Eastern Gate. Waiting for Messiah, they have died and never known the real “joy of the Lord.” I have heard everyday since Thursday that “Proximity does not equal discipleship.” And to apply that a bit, these are those who have lived right at the very place where the Savior walked and taught and performed miracles. This is the place where He was murdered and overcame death. Yet, so very many in that very place are still waiting for his first coming. But for those of us who are “in Jesus” we have an amazing future ahead of us.
“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”
1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 NIV
Lord Jesus thank you for paying the awful price to save us form the wrath of God. It was you sacrifice that bought an inheritance for us and your sweet Holy Spirit is our guarantee. You love us so dearly that you will chase us down and break through our walls to demonstrate it to us. We worship and adore you for you are our Savior and King. We pray this moment is an outpouring of our praise and let us join to your side as the victory is proclaimed. Amen and amen.
Love you dear one,
Pam
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