As Christians, we’re not dependent on physical evidential proof of the Bible, as our faith is based ‘on the substance of things not seen’ (Heb 11:11). And we follow a Living Saviour, who we believe we will one day see with our eyes. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed,” (John 20:29).
But the Bible is true. It is alive. Even the ‘rocks speak out’ and in the days in which we’re living, more and more discoveries are being made that confirm the authenticity of the Bible. Which is why our heart leaps with joy whenever we hear of a new discovery. This week there was an incredible find in the heartland of Israel. An inscription written in Koine Greek – biblical Greek or New Testament Greek – was unearthed by Israel in the ruins of the Hyrcania (or Horkanya) fortress that reads, “Jesus Christ, guard me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am faithful to you.”
The text appears to be a paraphrasing of Psalm 86:1-2, which reads:
“Bow down Your ear, O Lord, hear me;
For I am poor and needy.
Preserve my life, for I am holy;
You are my God;
Save Your servant who trusts in You!”
Christians should be extremely grateful for the way in which Israel oversees and protects the unearthing and preservation of sites that are important to Christianity, including, of course, those sites that are important to both Jews and Christians. For example, last month, impressive steps were uncovered at the Ancient Pool of Siloam in Jerusalem, which haven’t been seen in over 2,000 years. The significance of this discovery is that it’s the location where Jesus healed a blind man and the location itself was first mentioned in the Old Testament. The discovery was made by archaeologists after making significant progress in excavating the site. Here is further proof reminding Christians of the deep connection we have with the Land of Israel and why we must also support Israel’s right to the Land promised to them by God Himself.
The truth is that Judea is where Judaism originates from and where Christianity was born. It is the heartland of Bible history and should be recognised today as part of the heartland of Israel. In recent months more and more Christian and Jewish sites have been labelled as being “Palestinian” by the United Nations and other global bodies. Even the Church of the Nativity is now labelled, “Palestinian” and there are outrageous claims that Jesus himself “was a Palestinian”. This is a complete lie.
At the start of the Feast of Tabernacles, or Sukkot, which begins Friday 29th September, let us remember how this Biblical feast speaks of God’s faithfulness to the Jewish people, but also as a Holy Convocation (literally meaning ‘rehearsal’) of a time to come when all the nations will gather in Jerusalem to worship the Messiah King. The Christian connection to the Land of Israel rests not only in history, but in the future hope that we have in the fulfilment of God’s promises to Jew and Gentile. During this Feast of Tabernacles, we testify of God’s goodness to His people, Israel. We thank the Lord for the blessing that Israel is to the nations. We pray that our own nation will be awakened to the call of God to bless the nation of Israel. We reaffirm our resolve as Christians to stand with the Jewish people. We pray that they will dwell in the Land promised to them safely. And as the Jewish people gather in tents around the world, we pray that they will sense God’s presence in a very special way.
Thank you for praying with us today.
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