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[Written December 21, 2022]

I’ve been struck by the deity of Jesus these last months, especially since studying Revelation in the Middle East. It’s so wild how He understands my humanity because of His own, and yet is gloriously God. 

I love visiting historic sites like this repurposed Byzantine monastery because it reminds me that my love, awe and wonder for Jesus has been shared by multitudes of people throughout the ages. History points to Jesus repeatedly and it is not because of contextual circumstances, it is because of Truth. Living in the Holy Land these last few months has confirmed to me just how real Jesus was and continues to be. He is Immanuel, God with us then, and God with us now, through His Holy Spirit. 

Let us hold firmly to Jesus in this current age as those who have lived before us always have. The evidence of Jesus’ life is unfading and secure, what remains is a willingness to have faith and believe (Romans 1:17). When faith is chosen, the revelation of Truth is given, which ushers in transformation.

A Nabatean cultic structure from the first-century was transformed into a monastery that venerates Jesus and continues to attract visitors from all over the world. As one of those visitors, it’s incredible to witness how Truth continues to testify to Himself, 1,500 years later. 

“What [Jesus] did was to enhance humanity not diminish deity. That self-emptying of His, by which the invisible revealed Himself visible and the Creator and Lord of all things elected to be reckoned among mortals, was a drawing-near in mercy not a failure in power.” – Leo I (400-461 AD)