I have been blessed to visit the Holy Land twice. The first time I went was in 2011. I was able to make a return journey in 2017. Both trips were far too short. There are so many places to see and so much to learn. The Scriptures truly come to life as you visit the places Jesus taught, healed, and performed miracles.
Some places, like the Western Wall and the Garden of Gethsemane, are ancient and were a central part of Jesus’ life in Jerusalem. Construction projects often uncover ruins from earlier civilizations. Archeological digs are scattered across much of the nation.
Other sites are newer. The Shrine of the Book contains the Dead Sea Scrolls discovered in 1947. There is also a model of Jerusalem in the 2nd Temple Period. This 1,000 square meter model is continuously updated whenever new ruins are discovered.
One of the most important items on the itinerary is a visit to the Holocaust Museum. Walking through the Remembrance Center is emotionally draining. There are several buildings that recount the story of the Holocaust. Names and pictures of the victims are everywhere. Some stories of the changing political climate in Europe are documented in survivor recordings and news reports.
The Children’s Memorial Museum is specially designed to honor the 1.5 million children who died during the Holocaust. Through a complicated mirror display, the reflection of 5 lights creates hundreds of thousands more as a tribute for each child lost. As one walks through the hall, there are voices that read the names of each child. The reflected lights seem to fade and grow in brilliance as the names are read.
Over the past several months, as the numbers of those who have died from COVID have grown to more than 1 million persons, I can’t help but think of the lights that represented their lives. Maybe in the future, when we are past the pandemic, we will be able to create a memorial for the victims of this virus. I don’t want to take away the horror and tragedy of the Holocaust. At the same time, I am very much aware of the lives lost, some friends, some strangers, to this horrible virus.
May we pray for one another in these days. At least once a week, I invite us to light a candle and lift up the names of persons who have died from COVID. Perhaps it’s a family member, or a friend, or someone who was on the frontline. May this song enrich your spirits during this time. https://youtu.be/MvpjxfWrjzY
And Amen.