We traveled to Masada and Qumran the morning of Day 8 of our Holy Land trip. The Qumran area is where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in 1947-1960 and reinforced the legitimacy of Scriptures as the word of Moses and the Prophets. Over 47,000 scrolls have been found in this huge barren area with hundreds of caves; a good place to hide the scrolls inside of large clay jars.

After lunch, many of us floated in the Dead Sea taking advantage of the minerals and salt to buoy us up. 

Our last stop of the day was in a light rain, but the perfect setting for our trip to Martha and Mary’s house in Bethany, about two miles from Jerusalem, to see the tomb where Lazarus’ was raised. The picture with today’s post is of the tomb of Lazarus, raised from the dead by Jesus almost 2000 years ago.

Mary, Martha and Lazarus were good friends of Jesus and he stayed with them often when he was in Bethany. News reached Jesus that Lazarus was sick and then died. Jesus had delayed going to him, but he was glad that he was not there so that the disciples would believe. (John 11:1-44)

Jesus weeped is the shortest sentence in the Bible. It speaks to Jesus’ humanity to feel compassion for the death of a close friend, but some scholars also speculate that Jesus’ may have wept because He knew that Lazarus was already in a better place. Jesus was saddened that he had to take Lazarus away from being with God, back to his earthly existence. But it was important that Jesus demonstrate the power that God has, even over death, so he raised Lazarus from the dead. Today’s picture is from Lazarus’ tomb.

Do you really believe that God is all-powerful? Do you really believe that God has power even over death?

Just as with Lazarus, we have a new life in Christ.

Blessings,

Agatha

FOR MORE HOLY LAND STORIES FROM THIS TRIP, CLICK HERE: St. GEORGE'S HOLY LAND TRIP 2011