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My husband and I just returned from running uphill both ways where Jesus walked. Following His footsteps required going low, beneath the current city level. What a prophetic picture of the posture we should have as Christians. Once we went low, the rest of the trip was uphill, no matter where we ended up!
Israel—an urban mound atop old, older and finally the oldest of empires. Layers of ancient civilizations are unearthed daily as Tel, the Hebrew word for hill with ruins covered inside its layers, upon Tel are explored by archeologists. Searches are ongoing day in and day out.
Up to this point, there has never been an ancient relic that has contradicted one word of Scripture. Excavating Truth is a full-time business in that part of the world.
The last day of our trip we participated in an archaeological dig. Under the guidance of professionals, we sifted through buckets of dirt. It was scooped out of the newest “old” sight to open the very day we poked through its upturned soil—a street in the time of King David. Totally surreal!
Talk about the best treasure hunt EVER. I was a kid in a candy store. We dumped small bucket contents in a box sifter, rinsed off centuries old debris and scavenged for ancient artifacts.
Found were pottery shards, tile pieces and several tiny bones. We turned up a small nail The Romans put nails on the bottom of their shoes to grip the ground. Clearly the earliest use of cleats ever! I found a small chunk of a stone jar.
Stone, during the time of Jesus, was considered insusceptible to impurity. Stone containers were used for ritual washing. Every Jewish household would’ve had a stone vessel. Stone jars were used for the miracle at the Cana wedding.
I decided, on my own of course, the stone I found was part of one of the stone jars at the wedding. Even though every find stays in Israel for copious study, I smile, thinking my find might be from an important event in the time of Jesus or David.
I could have stayed all day looking through the dirt, but we headed to the airport. I wondered if I’d ever come back, perhaps I would to volunteer at a dig. What a remarkable experience, soil upholding Bible stories literally sliding through my fingers.
Visiting Israel was opening the Bible and stepping inside. Miles of desert, stone relics, the Red sea, a 2000-year old fishing boat, the sea of Galilee, baptism in the Jordan, and the empty tomb seared upon my heart. Sights I’ll recall when I read the Word. The mass of history found beneath the topsoil of Israel boggles my mind. Scientists dig and dig and dig by hand until they reach Biblical time levels.
Do we realize the fortune we hold? Stories, songs, history—truth resting atop our hands. We have possession of the inspired word of Almighty God. Am I as diligent to dig into God’s word? To study it, to put the pieces together until it makes a whole.
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
Centuries old pieces of glass, nails and stones will likely end up in a museum, proving the validity of the Bible. But we can hold truth in our hands everyday. We are offered an opportunity to have a relationship with Jesus that roars authentic louder than any historical object ever will.
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But the word of the Lord endures forever. 1 Peter 1:25