Resurrection and First Fruits

Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they said among themselves, "Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?" But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away--for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples--and Peter--that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you." -Mark 16:1-7

This morning we awoke early, before the sun was up, and made our way to the Garden Tomb. We joined with hundreds of people singing songs of praise to the Risen One. We hope you take this day to celebrate the power of Yeshua's resurrection, His promise of Life eternal with Him and the love He pours out on us every day. 

But the fact is that the Messiah has been raised from the dead, the Firstfruits of those who have died. For since death came through a man, also the resurrection of the dead has come through a Man. For just as in connection with Adam all die, so in connection with the Messiah all will be made alive. But each in his own order: the Messiah is the Firstfruits; then those who belong to the Messiah, at the time of His coming; then the culmination, when He hands over the Kingdom to G-d the Father, after having put an end to every rulership, yes, to every authority and power. For He has to rule until he puts all His enemies under His feet.  -1 Corinthians 15:20-24

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Happy Passover!

Purim Parties!

The weekend before Emmylou was born we observed Purim, as described in the book of Esther. Every year the Jewish people celebrate the day when G-d turned into good what the enemy meant for bad. At our Hebrew-speaking kehilah (congregation) everyone dressed up in costume, commemorating how Queen Esther hid her identity from King Ahasuerus. The traditional saying at Jewish festivals is "They tried to kill us, we won, let's eat." 

We worshiped with lively music and dancing. It was powerful to sing "Am Yisrael Chai" (The People of Israel Live) with Jewish believers in Israel!

 The kids performed a puppet show/musical and the grown-ups read from the megilah (scroll).

As we walked to service at King of Kings Sunday night we saw these guys dressed up for the holiday. Little did we know the party hadn't even started.

At service the kids performed in front of the whole congregation, singing "I am not forgotten". They sang and did the motions and looked really cute in their costumes. Hearing them sing, "I am not forgotten, G-d knows my name" was a good reminder that even when things are hard He is always near, and never forgets us.

After service we went to dinner with some friends and then headed back toward the train. Outside of a little cafe there were a few people reading the Esther megilat, and leading them was this man, Daniel Boone hat on his head, Hebrew scroll in his hand.

As we approached Zion Square we heard fireworks exploding and loud music blasting. There were people everywhere, many of them in costume. They certainly know how to celebrate their victories!

We feel so blessed to be in Jerusalem to see the people G-d has saved time and time again, regardless of their faithfulness. He is the One that keeps up His end of the bargain, no matter what, and we should all rejoice that He is a covenant-keeping Creator. Let's all celebrate His faithfulness and power, knowing that what the enemy meant for bad, G-d turns into good! Chag Sameach! Joyous Festival!