The Rock, The Road, and The Rabbi
Mary Frances Logue brought a book to me a few weeks ago before our vacation. She
only asked that I read it and consider it a gift. When we returned, I went into their
Sunday School class, head down, to let her know I had not read anything the entire
time I was on vacation. However, I started reading the book the next week and really
enjoyed the stories and information from Kathie Lee Gifford’s book The Rock, The
Road, and The Rabbi. Throughout the book, Kathie shares her experiences of going
to Israel and walking through the steps of Jesus and his disciples. Along with her is a
Rabbi named Jason Sobel who brings Biblical stories to life by sharing history or his
own perspectives that we may neglect in Biblical interpretation. I’ve found the book
to be a joy to read and thought I would share key thoughts with you over the next
couple of weeks that I hope encourage you in your faith.
Chapter 6 discusses Kathie’s trip to Bethlehem, the place where Christ was born. Out
of everywhere they will visit this is the one I find most interesting. When we read the
story of Jesus’ birth we have a tendency to take for granted some of the nuances of
what is actually taking place. There are so many things at play, from the significance of
shepherds to some of the rituals that would have taken place under Jewish custom by
Mary and Joseph. One aspect that jumped out was that of the swaddling cloth and one
that I had not considered. Kathie writes:
“The Shepherds were responsible for making sure that the new-born lambs did
not contract defects, for only animals without spot or blemish could be used as a
sacrifice in the temple. Baby lambs are very clumsy when they are born, so many
scholars believe that these shepherds would swaddle their newborn lambs in order to
prevent these future sacrificial lambs from becoming blemished by injuring themselves
on jagged parts of the cave”.
The swaddling was part of understanding the nature of a babe being born for a
sacrificial purpose in humanity. Bethlehem became more than a place; it was the
beginning of God’s good work to cover humanity so that we ourselves can be
redeemed through Jesus. God in his mercy, covers us and protects us but does not ask
for a sacrifice; that Jesus has already paid. Today, I pray for you and want you to know
you are swaddled in God’s grace and mercy. There is more than enough!
Keep The Faith,
Pastor Tommy
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