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Tag: Jesus

What is the Meaning of Jesus’ Parable of the Lost Sheep?

Posted on by wisitech

What is the Meaning of Jesus’ Parable of the Lost Sheep?

What is the Meaning of Jesus’ Parable of the Lost Sheep?

It is not uncommon to be disdainful of those who consider themselves superior, as a class, than others in general, but you probably didn’t know that Jesus’ Parable of the Lost Sheep was the one of the first such acts of revolt against classism. Why do we say that, you may ask. Here’s why:

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.Luke 15:1-7

During Jesus’ time, the Pharisees were religious leaders by training and they were considered authorities on the law. In those days, laws was equated with morality and people who didn’t follow strict sets of teacher-given laws were looked upon with scorn and considered outcasts. By associating and “eating with sinners”, Jesus admonishes the Pharisees and teachers of the law with his parable of the lost sheep. Note that it wasn’t Jesus’ way to pick up arguments forcefully. Explaining his point of view through small tales and anecdotes was his way of gently pushing his ideas through.

The parable of the lost sheep explains, in terms that ordinary people of the time could understand, how the ‘good shepherd’ worries over the loss of a single sheep and rejoices when that single sheep is found. God, says Jesus, cares and is worried about each one of us. When we lose our way, God will not abandon us. He would keep reminding us, through the goodness of others around us, that there is a better way to lead our lives. For Christians, this goodness comes through volunteers and groups of the faithful who engage in daily prayer.

Nowadays, we would laugh at anyone who tells us that by associating with ‘wicked people’ we are being wicked ourselves. After years of class struggles and bloody revolutions overthrowing those who believed in privilege by birth, it is good to see our expressions validated by someone who lived two thousand years ago. And his fortitude is even more telling considering it led to his persecution and eventual death at the cross.

Today, Christians all over the world pay homage to the life and times of one, Jesus Christ, a carpenter by trade. The Salvation Garden praying community welcomes you to view the monuments of Jesus and his 12 apostles vicariously. We dedicate our lives to offering your prayers at five of the most beloved churches of the holy lands of Jerusalem, Jaffa, and others in the territories of Israel. Talk to us for special visits by our prayer volunteers today.

What is the Meaning of Jesus’ Parable of the Lost Sheep?

10 Things I Learned from the Passion of Christ

Posted on by wisitech

10 Things I Learned from the Passion of Christ

10 Things I Learned from the Passion of Christ

The passion of Christ or the suffering that Jesus endured despite being innocent of the crimes the rabbis accused him of, is not merely a history lesson to be reenacted for posterity. There are critical life lessons from the way of the cross that we can carry forward into our own lives. These lessons are not simply to be revisited come Easter week. They have to be considered and practiced throughout the lives we lead.

Here are the 10 most important lessons that the passion of Christ teaches us.

1. Courage: While some traditionalists may believe that Jesus freed us from original sin by sacrificing himself on the cross, the most obvious aspect of the suffering that Christ faced on his way to Calvary is the courage and fortitude that he showed. Being wronged may not necessarily be a part of everyday life but when it does happen, learning the strength with which Jesus faced his trials is a lesson all of us could use.

2. The Willingness to Surrender: God’s divine plan has a logic that may not be apparent in our time. Nor is God responsible for man’s depravity and independent actions. By accepting God’s will in times of adversity, we make ourselves stronger to lead life in more exemplary ways.

3. The Habit of Prayer: Indulging in everyday prayer keeps us morally honest, mentally sincere, and psychologically healthy. Unburdening yourself, especially as part of praying communities does wonders in helping you sort and prioritize difficulties in life.

4. Patience: Jesus knew that he was innocent and that the trials of a manipulated mob were unjust. Yet he chose to suffer and accept death at the hands of his aggressors. His quiet fortitude and tenacity is borne out by his successfully creating an example for the world to follow.

5. Forgiveness: Following off the last argument, knowing how to forgive those who have wronged you is one of the hardest lessons in life. Jesus showed us exactly how this could be done, 2000 years ago.

6. Perseverance: Jesus is said to have been singular in the tenets of his faith despite having the world conspire against him. This speaks volumes about how consistent we should remain and persist in our moral principles no matter how lonely it gets.

7. The Ability to Take on Suffering: Suffering isn’t just physical pain that you may have undergone during an illness or an experience with disability. It is also the mental dejection that you face when you have to depend upon others for the slightest of needs. The passion teaches us how Jesus used the power of prayer when things became too tough to endure. He does express his anguish momentarily. But in the end, he is strong as ever. That is the example we can learn to follow.

8. Emerging from Redemption: There are times when we feel so dejected by the wrongs we may have committed in the past that we fail to see how we can make amends in the future. Every minor act matters as Jesus showed when he chose to forgive the criminal, Barabbas for his small act of kindness by the cross.

9. Looking for Hope: Even when all the world seems against us, being able to see things in perspective and persisting with habits of kindness, justness, and compassion, helps us hold on to our Christianity. Prayer helps as well.

10. Preparing for a Better End: As Christians, we are free to live our lives fully, struggling in the pursuit of a skill, a study, or a calling. We’re also free to love, laugh, and play. But our faith strongly directs us to prepare for a place in a kingdom that’s not of this world.

The Salvation Garden virtually opens the gates for you, and for Christians around the world, giving you direct access to Jerusalem’s holy sites. Now you can send your prayer and have it physically placed in your chosen site of worship in the Holy Land. Write your prayer request here.

10 Things I Learned from the Passion of Christ

Capernaum – Jesus’ Own Town

Posted on by Elenie

Capernaum – Jesus’ Own Town

Capernaum, Praying Inside the Church
Capernaum, Praying Inside the Church

Sitting on the Northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, the ancient village Capernaum – and in Hebrew Nahum’s Village – is referred to in the Bible as Jesus’ “own town”. Today, it is a very important holy pilgrimage site. Going back in time, this is where Jesus chose to live, teach and perform miracles.

Capernaum – Where Jesus Chose to Live and Preach

Jesus was born in Bethlehem, brought up in Nazareth and preached in Jerusalem. But it was the significant Galilean Ministry years which he spent in Capernaum and where he performed many of His miracles. Capernaum became His home and the Bible calls it Jesus’ “own city”.

Matthew 4:13 tells us that Jesus left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum after being tempted in the wilderness. Here He met James, John, Peter, Andrew all fishermen and Matthew a tax collector, five of His future disciples (source).

It was in the Capernaum synagogue that Jesus gave the Sermon on the Bread of Life (John 6:35-59). “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life and I will raise him up at the last day”. In this synagogue Jesus would regularly preach (John 6:59, Luke 4:33).

Prayers Answered Here

Christian believers who visit Capernaum these days can visit the remains of His old preaching place. Praying here takes a whole new meaning.

Prayers where directly answered by Jesus in this holy place. Jesus expelled a demon from a possessed man here (Mark 1:21-27). He cured a Roman officer’s servant of palsy, the centurion is thought to have had the synagogue built (Luke 7:3). Here Jesus also raised the daughter of Jairus from the dead (Luke 8:41-53).

Capernaum Prayer Request

Image Source

House of Saint Peter

Alongside the excavations of the ancient synagogue, archeologists also found the House of St. Peter, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ, and one of the first leaders of the early Church.

Your Prayer Request at Capernaum

Praying at Capernaum, where Jesus had answered prayers and performed miracles during His days on Earth, brings us closer to the divine. Knowing that He answered direct prayers of healing here adds strength to prayers here for centuries.

Capernaum is located in the North of Israel and we can’t visit it on a regular basis. But we do go there every few months and update our community members about the opportunity to write and send prayer requests to be delivered there. Every such prayer request will be prayed there and we will send back a photo of the prayer in the location. At the moment, we can’t record videos or light candles at this holy site. Such a trip takes a whole day and has costs, which we cover through generous donations.

Please click the link here to write and send your prayer request, and after the Continue button, select the Jesus’ Own Town option (when available).

Capernaum Prayer Request

Rare Visit and Prayer Request at The Monastery on Top of Mount of Olives

Posted on by Elenie

Rare Visit and Prayer Request at The Monastery on Top of Mount of Olives

Very few people had ever entered this holy site, which stands on the top of the Mount of Olives for over 125 years. Finally, under rare circumstances, we are honored to share with you photos and impressions from the inside of this ancient monastery. Delivering an urgent prayer request at the heart of the Holy Land brings heartwarming and blissful moments.

The Mount of Olives

The Mount of Olives stands east of the old city of Jerusalem and at 826 meters above see level, it is higher. The mount has served as a cemetery of over 3,000 years. It is the exact location where Jesus ascended to heaven. As such, this holy site has been a place of worship since ancient times and Christians from all over the world view it as a major site of pilgrimage.

Jerusalem Old City view from the Mount of Olives - prayer request
Jerusalem Old City View from the Mount of Olives

The Mount of Olives is named after the olive groves that used to cover it. Today, there are just a few last remaining olive trees still nurtured. But they are hidden and inaccessible behind the walls of the oldest monastery on the mountain, which rarely opens its doors.

The Monastery of the Benedictine Sisters

Since October 1896, over 125 years ago, a lone contemplative monastery stands on the top of the mountain. This is the home of the Congregation of Benedictine Sisters of Our Lady of Calvary. The first seven sisters came to Jerusalem from France and until today French is the common language. These days, five sisters live in the monastery, all of them for over 20 years, rarely exiting the old walls surrounding the place.

Always Closed - The Gate of The Monastery of the Benedictine Sisters
Always Closed – The Gate of The Monastery of the Benedictine Sisters

Except for urgent medical care, the sisters do not leave the monastery. And apart for an annual visit of pilgrims from Italy, no visitors enter the monastery. The Benedictine monastery stands like a time capsule in the heart of Jerusalem.

Inside The Monastery of the Benedictine Sisters - Prayer Request
Inside The Monastery of the Benedictine Sisters

The sisters devote their time to prayers, contemplation, and to their expertise – writing beautiful Christian iconography (and they insist that they write and not paint this magnificent art).

Christian iconography at The Monastery of the Benedictine Sisters
Christian iconography at The Monastery of the Benedictine Sisters

Prayer Request at the Monastery

This year, due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, the annual visit of pilgrims did not happen, for the first time in many years. The sisters count on these visitors to help with picking the olives and paying a humble donation. This is the main source of income for the monastery.

The Chapelle of The Monastery
The Chapelle of The Monastery

And thus, under these rare circumstances, very few visitors from Israel were allowed into the monastery. All were Israeli volunteers who came to help with the olives. Among them, a delegate from The Salvation Garden was invited as well, to help with the olives and deliver an urgent prayer request at this holy site.

The Last Olive Trees on the Mount of Olives, behind it the Monastery
The Last Olive Trees on the Mount of Olives, behind it the Monastery

Olive Oil from the Mount of Olives

We’re thrilled to update that a close friendship was founded, with hopes for future visits as well. Also, we purchased the rarest of all olive oil. The only olive oil in the world made out of olives from the Mount of Olives. It doesn’t get any better than this.

Olive Oil from The Last Olive Trees on the Mount of Olives
Olive Oil from The Last Olive Trees on the Mount of Olives

While we can’t promise to deliver your prayer request at this specific holy site, since it is closed to visitors most of the year, we do visit regularly the holy churches of Jerusalem. For an urgent prayer request, we even hurry to pray for you within 24 hours.

Please click here to fill your own prayer request for the churches of the Holy Land

Christian iconography at The Monastery of the Benedictine Sisters

The History of the Holy Sepulchre and the Church

Posted on by Elenie

Send Prayer Request Online at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre

The History of the Holy Sepulchre and the Church

Send your personal prayer request online to the Holy Sepulcher, Jerusalem where Jesus Christ was buried and resurrected. Our volunteers will carry your prayer and pray there.

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is also called the Church of the Resurrection or Church of the Anastasis by Orthodox Christians

The Holy Sepulchre and Church History

“And they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, The place of a skull,” (Matthew 27:33)

Jesus was crucified at Golgotha, known in the New Testament (Matt. 27:33–35; Mark 15:22–25; John 19:17–24) as “the place of the skull”. This location lay outside the perimeter of the city walls at the time and was an abandoned stone quarry.

Around a decade later, a wall was built which enclosed the site inside what we know today as Jerusalem’s Old City.

Stone of Anointing (Stone of Unction)

Stone of Anointing

Another point of interest inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is the so-called Stone of Unction, which was the spot where Joseph of Arimathea prepared Jesus for Burial.

It is customary for pilgrims to kneel and kiss the stone on their arrival at this location within the church. This tradition stems from John 19:40:

“Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury”.

The kneeling action is also represented in the large mosaic above the Stone of Unction, which depicts subjects kneeling alongside the stone.

How was it discovered?

The tomb itself was discovered in the process of building a church ordered by Roman Emperor Constantine I. This then became the first Church of the Holy Sepulchre which could be accessed by a set of steps which rose from one of Jerusalem’s main streets.

Early pilgrims would have walked through a basilica and the ‘holy garden which contained ‘the rock of Golgotha, before reaching the Holy Sepulchre.

The Church starts to form around the Stone of Anointing

A small building was built around the tomb, which was originally exposed. The relic of the cross of Jesus, another important feature of the church, is said to have been discovered by Saint Helena, Constantine’s mother, in 326.

In the 11th century, the Chapel of the Invention of the Cross was founded, in a cave deep beneath the basilica’s ruins, which is still present today.

A number of destructions and restructurings have taken place at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, including a 614 ransacking by a Persian Army, a 966 fire which destroyed the dome in anti-Christian riots, and a complete dismantling by fanatical Arab leader Fatimid caliph al-Hakim in 1009.

After being rebuilt by Constantine IX Monomachus, the Byzantine emperor – after the first Crusade, ending in 1099, freed it up as a place of worship – it was reconsecrated 50 years later to the day. While work has been carried out periodically over the years, the post-Crusade Church of the Holy Sepulchre is much like the one which stands today.

Today pilgrims often light a candle, make a prayer or take part in a procession around the site. The experience is very emotional for some, evocative for others, and gives Christians the chance to communicate with God and ask for what is in their hearts. For those who are far away, we are offering the pilgrims experience as an online option.

How Can The Salvation Garden Help You?

The Salvation Garden believes that every believer in the world should be easily able to access the holy places of the Holy Land. We want to assist you in achieving success in your spiritual and material life.

Those who are unable to make it to these pilgrimage sites, we volunteer to carry your prayers to one of the holiest sites in these lands.

Click here to fill the online prayer request form with your personal prayer. Choose the Church of Holy Sepulcher or multiple holy churches and holy places in the Holy Land.

We will visit those holy places and personally deliver your printed prayer request. You will get the delivery confirmation from us to your email and an optional video.

We also deliver your urgent prayer request to the Holy Land. While our service comes free, your donations help us with our travel, printing, security, and other expenses.

The History of the Holy Sepulchre and the Church

What do we know about resurrection?

Posted on by Elenie

What Do We Know About Resurrection?

When thinking about resurrection in Christianity, the first thing that comes to most of the believers’ minds are the events that happened in Jerusalem around 30-33 AD.

The Christian belief that Jesus will return and bring His followers back to life stems from extensive accounts,

  • found in the Four Gospels of the New Testament, about the resurrection of Christ that happened three days after His crucifixion and burial.
  • The gospels’ narratives of many incidents where Jesus appeared to over 500 people in the 40 days after His death
  • The events of nine other resurrections with eyewitness accounts.

 

The opponents say

Over the years, many theories have surfaced because of some inconsistencies in the accounts, such as beliefs that

  • – Jesus had only temporarily lost consciousness, or
  • – the Apostles had stolen His body from the grave, but these theories are easily disputed by the overwhelming abundance of matching events in the gospels, which assert the belief of Jesus being resurrected.

 

What that matter is…

In the end, despite the ongoing efforts of scientist and historians to find factual information, it’s not really a matter of proving or disproving the event, because it transcends these matters with its meaning.

Resurrection is not only a testament to God’s power over life and death but:

– A symbol of the unification of body and soul.

– An example of justice and salvation for those who had humbled themselves and followed God’s word.

Ultimately, it means the unification of Christ and His followers.


Request Your Prayer Now

Love, how many ways do we have to love?

Posted on by Elenie

Love, How Many Ways Do We Have To Love?

What has Jesus taught his disciples about love?

In the Gospel according to Matthew 5:43-48, Jesus said,

“But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax-gatherers do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect”.

Is there a new way to love our enemies?

Pray for your enemies

Praying for your enemy opens you up to the work of the Holy Spirit in your heart.

Forgive your enemies

Loving your enemy does not mean:

  • You have to add them to your Christmas list, or
  • make them your best friend, or
  • excuse their actions

it means you forgive them, with the knowledge that God is both merciful and just.

How would you feel?

Loving your enemies and praying for those who persecute you is liberating. You can find yourself in pitched battles with the people who hate you, always seeking the upper hand, always noting who’s up and who’s down, and always analyzing every slight. Praying for them can make you feel even better and change your attitude towards them.

So what Jesus is telling us is hard, but it’s not impossible. And it’s necessary, too, because ultimately he is inviting us not only to forgiveness and charity but to something else: freedom and happiness


Request Your Prayer Now

The Middle Ages art around Mother Mary

Posted on by Elenie

The Middle Ages art around Mother Mary

It was in the Middle Ages that images of the Mother Mary, also known as Madonnas, began to pick up popularity. And specifically in Italy, in the process of panel painting.

The role of the Dominican

The Dominican and Franciscan Orders were among the first to give the go-ahead for such panels, and they were used everywhere from churches and monasteries to residential homes. Groups called confraternities met specifically to sing the Virgin Mary’s praises in chapels and were known to provide the funding for such panels.

The panels themselves, as part of the construction of churches dedicated to the Mother Mary, could be costly affairs, as they often included real gold leaf. Some stone used in the construction, including the bright blue lapis lazuli, was brought all the way from Afghanistan.

Duccio’s Madonnas

In the late Middle Ages, the artist Duccio was responsible for creating some of the most famous Madonnas. One of the most famous ones is above the altar in the Cathedral of his hometown, Siena. This is known as the Maesta and is included as part of a massive work which depicts various prophets and saints.

The unique style of the Middle Ages

The Mother Mary can usually be distinguished in these Middle Ages works due to her depiction as a young mother. She is typically wearing a blue mantle or appears in murals and mosaics. There’s a great deal of attention paid to the emotion on the face of Mother Mary, while she is holding the Baby Jesus. Moreover, this is often depicted as an intimate moment, in which the compassion of the Mother Mary can be seen.

We, The Salvation Garden, offer you the chance to send your urgent prayer requests for any reason. Allow us to pray for you! Send your Urgent Prayer Requests now.

Our dedicated team members will personally take your urgent prayer requests to a Church of your choice in the Holy Land and then offer them to our Lord. After we bring your prayer requests to your chosen Holy Church, we will send you videos or pictures to assure you.

Where was Jesus for three days?

Posted on by Elenie

Where was Jesus for three days?

Or should we start with the question – what happened to Jesus while he was dead?

The Bible is not clear or rather does not give a chronology of events, of what happened to Jesus after his death and before the resurrection. This article will attempt, using biblical records, to look at what happened during those days.

Paradise and spiritual beings

Jesus Christ headed His spirit to the Father, died physically, and entered paradise,

“Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)

However, at some time between His death and resurrection, it is recorded that Jesus Christ also visited a place where He delivered a message to spirit beings. This might have been fallen angels, according to Jude 1:6.

“And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day”

Records also show that these beings were somehow also related to the period before Noah’s time, according to 1st Peter 3:20

“to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built”

Peter does not, however, tell us what Jesus Christ said to the fallen angels, but this could not have been a message of salvation. According to Hebrews 2:16 “For surely it is not angels he helps,” to say that angels can’t be saved.  But as recorded in 1st Peter 3:22 “who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.” and Colossians 2:15,

“And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross”.

He might have declared His victory over Satan.

The Captives and the Saints

According to Ephesians 4:8-10, and quoting Psalms 68:18, Paul says that “when He ascended on high, he took many captives”. This may mean that Jesus gathered all the redeemed who were there and took them to their permanent dwelling in heaven.

Jesus had supported the saints and brought them to their eternal home. It is during this period that he also proclaimed victory over the fallen angels who are in prison.

We, The Salvation Garden, offer you the chance to send your urgent prayer requests for any reason. Allow us to pray for you! Send your Urgent Prayer Requests now.

Our dedicated team members will personally take your urgent prayer requests to a Church of your choice in the Holy Land and then offer them to our Lord. After we bring your prayer requests to your chosen Holy Church, we will send you videos or pictures to assure you.

JESUS AND THE IMPORTANCE HE SAW IN RESURRECTION

Posted on by Elenie

JESUS AND THE IMPORTANCE HE SAW IN RESURRECTION

Jesus knew he had to be in Jerusalem, he knew he must be killed and resurrect. In this article, we will review the events.

Most of our knowledge about Jesus comes from the apostles and therefore we are bringing here the highlights.

Jesus is giving his disciples a detailed review of the upcoming events:

According to the book of Matthew:

“From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life”. (16:21)

After the crucifixion – Jesus was crucified and died at noon. Upon his death, an earthquake struck the area:

“And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city,” (27:52-53)

Joseph of Arimathea was keen to ensure that the corpse was buried according to the Jewish law, put the body in a new shroud and buried his body in the tomb just before sunset (27:57-60).

Women who followed Jesus had carried and prepared spices for anointing the body of Jesus Christ, and before they went to rest on the weekly Sabbath day, they made sure his tomb was sealed.

“And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulcher” (27:61)

The Resurrection

Then the body of Jesus Christ was in the tomb for three days and nights, and near sunset, he rose with the promise of bringing salvation to humankind.

The women that prepared the spices arrived early in the morning and found that Jesus had already risen,

“And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified” (28:5).

Jesus met his eleven disciples and sent them to us, to the world, with his promise

“I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (28:19)

With these last words, we have the legacy of Jesus regarding our Salvation and his all-time presence.

We, The Salvation Garden, offer you the chance to send your urgent prayer requests for any reason. Allow us to pray for you! Send your Urgent Prayer Requests now.

Our dedicated team members will personally take your urgent prayer requests to a Church of your choice in the Holy Land and then offer them to our Lord. After we bring your prayer requests to your chosen Holy Church, we will send you videos or pictures to assure you.

Cremation, how is it connected to the Holy Land?

Posted on by Elenie

Cremation, how is it connected to the Holy Land?

Cremation, how is it connected to the Holy Land

One of the main issues of humanity is related to land and, in the modern era, the lack of it. Real-estate is a pressing issue, especially in the urban areas around the world. As a result, more and more families are looking for new solutions and new traditions regarding their accommodation. But while we are looking for solutions for the living, we should also look for new spaces for the deceased, as well as new methods.

Traditions and solutions

In most of the Western countries, the most popular method is the burial. Some families are buried in mausoleums, which is a structure where there is room for coffins and personal belongings. It is also where generations of the same family can rest in peace together. Some families can’t afford these buildings and are buried in the same cemetery plots for generations. But as the world population is at its peak, burial becomes an issue. In some of the largest cemeteries, there are vacant spaces only for the next 40-50 years.

But why is burial the common solution? There are two apparent reasons:

The first one is the lack of other available options, and the second one is the Christian tradition and the change in the Catholic canon law.

Only in the late 19th century, a professor from Italy perfected the cremation model. Once this solution became available, it began to spread across Europe and North America. In the USA, by the beginning of the 20th century, there were around 20 crematories. By the end of the century, there were over 2,000 crematories.

Revised Canon Law

Even though cremation was available for Catholic Christians since the middle of the 20th century, its full regulations became clear only last year.

According to the new guidelines, the main concern is the memory of the deceased and keep him as part of the community. This concern is met at best with burial in a cemetery, and therefore other solutions, such as cremation or burial in private locations, are less common.

At the beginning of this article, we found out that burial has turned out to be an issue demanding of new solutions. With the revised canon law, cremation is a new solution that brings with it even further outcomes.

 New Traditions

As part of the growing movement of cremation, new traditions are rising. One of them is sending ashes to sacred places, such as the Holy Land. Officials in Israel are stating that this is a growing movement, which increases in popularity by thousands every year. Most of the families have no relatives in Israel, but a wish to be closer to Jesus and his legacy.

In Israel import and burial are allowed, this rule is in accordance with the Catholic canon law, which forbids scattering the ashes. Today, a family can have a local and personal ceremony, and afterward, send the Urn to the Holy Land to place it for its final rest in a sacred and secure place. Such a service is available in the Salvation Garden,

We, The Salvation Garden, offer you the chance to send your urgent prayer requests for any reason. Allow us to pray for you! Send your Urgent Prayer Requests now.

Our dedicated team members will personally take your urgent prayer requests to a Church of your choice in the Holy Land and then offer them to our Lord. After we bring your prayer requests to your chosen Holy Church, we will send you videos or pictures to assure you.

Cremation, how is it connected to the Holy Land

Relationship in the eyes of Christianity

Posted on by Elenie

Relationship in the eyes of Christianity

Christianity is a religion that revolves around relationships. In the New Testament, the authors of the four Gospels go out of their way to show how Jesus interacted with humanity. To fully understand how critical relationships are in Christianity, you need to examine how Jesus related to his family, followers and his disciplines.

Jesus and his family

As the Gospels open with the birth of Jesus, you realize that He was born in an ordinary family and had brothers and sisters who did not always believe in Him. In one instance, his family members even tried to take charge of him thinking that he was out of his mind.
Mark 3:21 says, when his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” Even though his own siblings did not always believe he was the Son of God, he was very patient with them and never insulted them.

Jesus and his disciples

Jesus had a very close relationship with his disciples. He was their friend, confidant, and teacher. In Luke 12:4 Jesus refers to his disciples as friends.

“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.” (Luke 12:4).

Good friends confide in each other. Jesus confided in his disciples during trying moments. Just before his arrest and crucifixion, he opened up to them about his emotional turmoil. This is how Matthew captures that moment in Matthew 26:36-38

“Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”
And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed.
Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with me.”

Jesus and his followers

Jesus not only interacted with his disciplines but he also spent time with his friends. John 12 1-2

“Jesus, therefore, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.
So they made Him a supper there, and Martha was serving, but Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him.”

In the above text, John takes the time to show that Jesus took the time to interact and dine with his followers and friends such as Lazarus, Mary and Martha.

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