The above photo is taken in the very small room which is in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. I consider this the holiest place on earth - since this was the Tomb of Jesus where he was raised from the dead - the most important thing we believe. I have had the privilege to be in this small room inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Each time I have the same sensation that this is the place where the most starting thing happened - a person conquered death - and rose from the dead - right at this place. It is the very foundation of our faith.
As you may have read, the Jerusalem government and the Israeli government recently instituted a series of taxes on church properties in the Old City and other parts. The various Christian religions sharing custody of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre locked the church from the public to make a dramatic point of what they were being forced to do. This past Wednesday, the Church was opened again.
Why is this important? Christians, Catholics, and others are being forced to leave the Holy Land, especially within the walls of the Old City in Jerusalem. It is that simple. It is wrong. THey are truly being persecuted. Pray for them. I could not imagine what it would mean to have them not respect this holy place. But it has happened before - and needs to be resisted.
Please pray for all places where people of faith are being persecuted. It is far more widespread than you might realize.
TODAY's GRATITUDE: I am so grateful for three times I was in the Holy Land. Each was a blessing - and a constant reminder of our faith.