Today we visited Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS) to view the exhibit of the Dead Sea Scrolls. I knew in my heart it would be really cool, and I'd be glad I went since the exhibit will be over this month. But, oh my! We loaded up the whole family and headed to the city we adore, Ft Worth, aka Cowtown. Never is there a trip to that city that we don't stroll down memory lane... it's the place that became home when we left Mississippi--the only home we'd ever known; it's where we met and bonded with some of our closest brothers and sisters from all over the world; it's where we lived when we began our parenting journey; and in so many ways it's the place we lived when we began to experience the definition of true communion with the God of this universe through His people and our personal journeys.
All that being said, how fitting to see the pieces of the original manuscripts of the book that so shapes us. The exhibit is well done for sure. I expected nothing less. We began walking through and learning about the terrain and geography of the Qumran/ Dead Sea area. Then into an area of artifacts that had been gathered in the area...alabaster jars, oil lamps, pottery, ossuaries (limestone containers for the skeletal remains of families) which were found in the burial 'caves' so to speak. We then moved through an area of facsimiles of the scroll fragments enlarged to see. This was followed by a short film on the discovery and procurement up until today. And THEN the ACTUAL fragments themselves. I thought it might be emotional just because that's how I am, but oh.my.goodness.gracious.alive! Y'all, I thought I might lose it a few times. To think that a 'random Bedouin shepherd' 'stumbled upon' these in a cave in 1947. Seriously!?!? It wasn't random at all...it was FOR us to be affirmed of what He is consistently trying to get us to see. He has done everything to show us Himself, His Truth and His love. This is one more thing. "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life." (1 John 5:13 ESV). Looking over those papyrus pieces that are parts of Paul's letters I wept, truly I did. Those pieces could have been handled by one who walked with and touched the Word in flesh!! And there I stood gazing upon it. He preserved it to show us...His love, His way, His Word--that Word that is alive and active. "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account." (Hebrews 4:12, 13 ESV) And He preserved it to confirm that it is in fact Truth for our benefit. "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16, 17 ESV)
I have read that whole love letter over this last year, and today I SAW pieces of it in its most primitive form...and was reminded that all His ways to reach us are so vast and so detailed. And more obvious than often we wish to admit. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him." (John 3:16, 17 ESV)
I truly hope you take the time to see if ever you have the opportunity! It's not necessary but oh, so beneficial!
#renewedpassion
