"And I heard a great voice from Heaven that said, 'Behold, the Tabernacle of God is with the children of men, and He dwells with them and they shall be His people and the same God is with them and shall be their God. And He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes...'" ~ Revelation 21:3-4a (ABPE)
Tomorrow begins Tisha B'Av, the Jewish holiday commemorating the destruction of the Temple. It comes in and with a season of mourning and fasting.
There are many historically noted assaults on the Temple, the first destruction of the temple was by Nebuchadnezzar. This holiday specifically looks back to the absolute destruction rendered by the Romans.
I would never want to diminish the time of great grief experienced and honored by our Jewish brothers and sisters on this holiday.
That said, I recall one rabbi referring to the Temple as "the source of the world's connection to the Almighty and His wisdom." And, if I'm being honest, my heart was truly and sorely grieved, for a whole other reason.
If that's truly at the core of your belief system, I cannot imagine the grief of being cut off from the Father because your anchor has been torn to the ground, not one stone left standing. Weeping would indeed endure.
Frankly, having access to the Creator cut off is hell itself.
As believers in the Messiah, the idea of the Temple as the world's connection to the Creator is (THANK GOD) erroneous. Our connection to Him does not come from stacked stones.
Our connection to Him comes from Him and through Him. And, while I absolutely respect this piece of history, this piece of our story, I yearn for all of God's children to know the peace and strength and grace and mercy and connection to the Father that are available to us all in any given moment, right where we stand. The gift offered not through a temple of stone, but through an authentic relationship.
He invites us to come, I pray we accept.
Romans tells us to "weep with those who weep," and so it is in spirit that I lower my eyes and bow my head and grieve for what has been lost alongside our brethren...
And, in the same breath, I pray the Holy Spirit breathe into each and every one of us the Peace that passes all understanding, this Tisha B'Av, and ever more.
Father God, Thank You. Thank You for being You, for creating us in Your image, for having a plan and a purpose for every life, and for writing us into your story. Your Word tells us You comfort those who grieve. At this grievous time in history, in a season that commemorates a great loss to your people, I pray You comfort those who grieve. May Your children see and know Your face. May we all know and walk in the Peace that passes all understanding all our days, that we might walk in Your will, Your way, with joy in our hearts always, come what may.
Amen.
"For I reckon that the sufferings of the present time are not comparable to the coming glory to be revealed to us. For the earnest expectation of the creation awaits the revelation of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of the One having subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage of decay, into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans together and travails together until now. And not only so, but we ourselves, even having the first fruit of the Spirit, also groan ourselves in ourselves, awaiting divine adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in this hope we were saved; but hope being seen is no hope; for does anyone hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we await in patience. Now likewise also, the Spirit joins to help us in weakness; for we do not know the things which we should pray for as it behooves, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession with inexpressible groanings. And the One searching hearts knows what is the mindset of the Spirit, because He intercedes for the saints according to God. And we know that God works together all things for good to those loving God, to those being called according to His purpose, because those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, for Him to be firstborn among many brothers." ~ Romans 8:18-29 (BLB)
May the Good Lord bless you and keep you, friends... always, in all ways. Amen.
Bonus song of praise... ♥