"Indestructible"

“Indestructible”

According to Christianity Today, there were about 384,000 places of worship in the United States in 2012 (the most recent number I found). Of these the vast majority have a facility in which to meet and from which to carry out their purpose and programs. The American landscape is dotted with 300,000+ buildings representing all faiths. They are old and new, large and small, traditional and modern in architecture, serve hundreds of denominations and are found in urban, suburban and rural settings. They were usually constructed where land was available to best serve their communities. And by and large they’ve had a positive impact on American life.

As Karen and I toured Israel last year we saw many church buildings which go back hundreds of years. Unlike our nation, however, these structures weren’t always erected in places convenient to their worshippers. Rather, many of them are built over or near sites significant to the biblical narrative or church history. Some of these include St. Anne’s (the traditional birthplace of Mary’s mother where Karen led our group in singing “Amazing Grace”—WOW!), St. Mary’s (where Jesus’ mother is thought to have been born), St. Peter’s (his home’s site in Capernaum), Church of the Beatitudes near the natural amphitheater where Jesus delivered His Sermon on the Mount and the Church of the Primacy of Peter where Jesus had breakfast with His disciples after His resurrection (see John 21).

Two others held great significance for us. One is the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem built over Jesus’ traditional birthplace. It was the only church building in the Holy Land which wasn’t destroyed by the Muslims because the Persian Magi are pictured at the entrance. The other is the Church of All Nations next to the Garden of Gethsemane covering the rock where Jesus prayed, “…Not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39) just before His arrest, “trials” and crucifixion for the sins of the world.

Except for the Church of the Nativity all these structures were rebuilt after the Muslims razed the original ones during the Middle Ages. God “…never left himself without a witness.” (Acts 14:17, NLT) even in the darkest days so that Jesus’ promise “…I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18) might be fulfilled.

Buildings may come and go but Christ’s church is indestructible and here to stay until He returns for us. In the words of an old song, “What a day, glorious day, that will be.” May it come soon!

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan