Day Six

Another very powerful day, starting with a worship service in The West Bank. Josh told us about when David was anointed as a child to serve as king.  We studied the word “Qatar’ together.  It means ‘little one’ or ‘smallest’.  David was out in the fields tending some of the sheep because his family assumed that ‘the little one’ would not be chosen as king.  We all know that he in fact is God’s chosen one so when he comes in from the fields he is anointed by Samuel as King.

Whatever we feel makes us ‘the  little one’/the thing that makes us stand out in society as abnormal, is often the thing that God uses to bring glory to Himself.  If you feel insignificant because of your insecurities, singleness, ongoing health issues, your past, be encouraged that God looks at your heart and often wants to use your weakness to show His power in your life.

We had a chance to explore Shepherds Field and see one of the many caves in the area that provided safety and shelter to the shepherds and their sheep for generations.

We proceeded to King David’s Well where we have the first drink offering recorded in scripture.  David realizes that the water brought back for him has cost the men too much.  They were in grave danger as the retrieved water to please their earthly King.  And, King David then uses this opportunity to show them that this is too much – too high of a price for them to have paid for him, but should be used as an offering to our Heavenly King. 

What do I (you) spend my life on?  Where do I spend my time and my money?  My time and money should be used as an offering to God.  It’s important not to become sidetracked and give to others what should be given to God.

We then gathered at the Church of the Nativity.  The place has been covered for centuries with Temples and a church now.  The old structure is being restored and it serves as a reminder of the place where Jesus’ incarnation begins as he enters our world in humanity and yet fully God.

Ein Kerem was the last teaching spot we visited.  This is where Mary spent time with Elizabeth before the birth of John the Baptist and also where Mary wrote the Mignificant.  We looked at God’s word to learn about Mary and also John the Baptist.  The common thread among their many admirable and noteworthy qualities is their humility.  They were both willing to stand aside as the Son of Man took center stage – in essence handing off their notoriety.