Petra!

Today we spent all day walking through Petra, the incredible Nabatean city literally carved on the stone of steep rocks climbing up to 5,000 feet. It is no wonder that Petra is now one of the modern marvels of the world. The sculpture is breathtaking, especially of the so called “Treasury,” a structure that looks like a temple with elegant columns adorning its façade. The walk to the “Treasury” is about a mile and a group of us went with Pastor Bob to the top of some high mountains where they used to offer sacrifices. The altar is still there and the evidence of intense religious activity can me surmised.

Oh the lengths people will go to in order to try to gain acceptance to God (or the gods). Not a whole lot is known about the Nabatean religion but we can safely assume that they worshipped multiple deities. Their efforts to reach up to the heavens is so evident in the magnificent structures they built.

Pastor Bob reminded us that the Word tells us in Romans 12 to offer ourselves up to the Lord in wholly and acceptable sacrifice. This is only possible through the sacrifice of Christ, who atoned for us by taking the punishment for the sins we all committed. The Bible says that the one who knew no sin became sin for us. Notice that it doesn’t say that Christ became “sinful.” There is a huge difference in those two words. Had Jesus become “sinful,” His sacrifice would never be wholly and acceptable before God. But because He was the unblemished Son of God without sin, his sacrifice was perfect and complete.

I look at Petra and I see man’s attempt to attain eternity. Everything is so pompous, so elaborate, so incredibly laborious and unpredictable. How wonderful that in Christ we are struck about the simplicity of the message – Christ died for our sins, we’ve been forgiven. Let’s walk with Him in the newness of this supernatural life He has granted to us!

Tomorrow we depart to Mt. Nebo and Jericho. Mostly all of us (except Bill Teach who decided to rest this afternoon) will be sore (and thinner, maybe??) due to all the exercise we did today. No wait, most of what we lost was promptly replenished with supper tonight!

Thanks for your prayers for safety, protection and health for our team. I had a fall at the bottom of a "petra" in Petra. It was from a low height but I was still "petrified"... Though I have a few bruises, I am well. I managed to save the camera from some serious damage though and I am glad for that... Some of our team members are under the weather. Please pray for a prompt recovery. Pastor Bob is doing better today. He was able to eat somewhat normally tonight. Please keep those prayer on the throne!

Oh yes, Dan Miller got to ride a horse back to the entrance of Petra. According to Pastor Bob he was going "full speed," but when I asked him he said he was only going "half throttle." He got invited to go the the horse owner's house for dinner and a party but regrettably had to say no because he already had a dinner date -- with us. I told him the other party would be a lot more interesting and he agreed!

Pastor Ivanildo C. Trindade
itrindade@woostergrace.org