Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. What a powerful name!
I am almost finished packing. I leave on Monday, traveling to Israel - the Holy Land - the Promised Land. I am very excited about walking where Jesus walked. Seeing places where he healed the sick and cast out unclean spirits. Where he taught the people and the disciples. Where he fed the multitudes.
I expect that seeing these places first-hand will be beneficial to my pastoral ministry. I will be able to describe scenes with more attention to detail - what it smells like, what it feels like, what it sounds like. First-hand experience of these places will, I expect, add a measure of authenticity to my references to them. This experience will be a tremendous blessing to me that I hope to be able to share with you in this space.
The Promised Land. While seeing and experiencing Israel with thoughts of Jesus and his ministry is exciting and beneficial, there is another Promised Land to which Israel can't hold a candle! This land is the place Jesus promised us. He is preparing space for us there, even now.
Jesus called this place, "My Father's House." We tend to think of it as heaven. It is the place where we will spend eternity in the loving, holy presence of the Triune God: Father, Son, Holy Spirit. THIS place, THIS Holy Land, THIS Promised Land, the one Jesus promised, is the one that I really long to see!
I know you long to see this Promised Land as well. Did you know that there are people out there who are not aware of this Promised Land? They have never heard about what Jesus did in Israel. They don't know that he died on a cross to save them from their sin.
We have to tell them!
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark
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