There's Hope For TodaySample

Perched on the shoulder of the Arbel Pass, one of seven first-century synagogues uncovered in Israel, echoes Matthew’s testimony. Jesus taught here. He couldn’t have missed it. The Arbel Pass connects the hills of Jesus’ boyhood with the northern sector of Galilee. The synagogue, a remarkable excavation, is prominently situated to be seen by all who walk to and from the cities of Capernaum, Bethsaida, and Magdala. One crisp spring morning, I sat alone in the footprint of the Arbel synagogue listening to wind and touching the massive stones that now rest in the place Jesus would have unrolled the scrolls. I thought of the Lord living a Jewish life – a life that revolved around sacred rhythms. He was in the synagogue on every Sabbath; in Jerusalem for the feasts; up into the hills for daily prayer and communion with God. He lived in sacred rhythms … we should, too. Everything God created moves in a sacred rhythm: orbits, night and day, seasons, tides, migrations, years. So He created us, and so He has situated us in the midst of His creation to move in pulsing rhythms that keep us in step with His will and seasons. With that rhythm we dance. Without it, we lurch and stagger.