Rachel: Being here the past couple weeks has caused me to realize how much of the Old Testament I have never known. I am learning how many truths are embodied in the Mosaic Covenant. We are not under the Law because Christ ended that for those who believe but it does have value. It is so saddening to see the people here who do not recognize this freedom. I think of the slab of rock in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher that is thought to have supported Jesus' body after His crucifixion. People swarm over it, kissing it and running fabrics over it to get a piece of its healing powers.. those who are sobbing and praying in the supposed tomb of David and reciting the Torah in tears at the wailing wall. They don't realize Christ has come and are left clinging to powerless symbols. We can look at the places in this country and be affected by the reality of the Word of God that records events occurring in our realm of time and space.. but we KNOW the God of those events. We have that power within us - we ARE His temple. We can still find worth in the Law and see that it is applicable because it shows what He expected of His people, we can see His attributes, His promises, His standards, His character. But we can look to more than that.

A Shrine they have built over the place where they believe Jesus to have been crucified

Stone that Jesus' body was laid on after he died-these women are wiping their scarves on it because they believe it to have healing power

Recounting the stories in the Old Testament and visiting the sites where many of them occurred makes me realize how big God is. I am brought back to a common place of contemplating my perception of God. I think I all too often over-simplify the gospel and think of God's character as much more basic than it actually is. God is my closest friend who i can interact with all throughout the day, who knows the deepest parts of me. God is also holy and to be feared. He is huge. He is magnificent. I know this isn't a profound discovery but as I am reminded of it i am filled with wonder at the God we serve.

Becoming familiar with the history continues to challenge how I think of the present and the future. Studying the Old Testament makes me so thankful for our freedom in Christ. It makes me thankful that we can worship wherever we want, that we can talk directly with God every second. Seeing His promises makes me anticipate the future. It makes me long to understand what is still coming. It makes me excited for Christ's return.