Happy Lord’s Day, dear friends! One of my favorite places in Israel is Magdala, the home of Mary Magdalene. The ancient city was discovered only a few years ago when building crews began construction of a Franciscan retreat center on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. While clearing land, they found remains of a 1st century synagogue, complete with a table-like stone (called the Magdala Stone) upon which rabbis would unroll the Torah for reading in the congregation.

Jesus, the Great Rabbi, almost assuredly laid out the Torah on that very stone and taught in that very synagogue, now unearthed and on display! To experience that site in Israel certainly elicits a sense of awe in being on the hallowed ground in which our Lord taught and guided His earliest followers.

Today, near the site of the ancient synagogue, stands a beautiful chapel with amazing acoustics (yes, our tour groups sound like angels when we sing there!) and one of the most extraordinary murals found anywhere in Israel. Pictured there is the woman who reached out to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment as He passed by, and from Him flowed the power to heal that woman. (Take time to read the accounts written by Matthew, Mark and Luke. Click here.)

My dear friend and brother in Christ, Pastor Saleem Shalash, an Arab pastor in Nazareth, recently shared a devotional in front of that amazing mural in the chapel at Magdala. Today, as we celebrate our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, meditate on the truth shared here by Pastor Saleem. How sweet to hear God’s Word being proclaimed from Israel in this season of such trial, and I believe the message is meant for someone today. Be blessed as you enjoy Pastor Saleem’s devotional message.