Our final day on this excursion/vacation/pilgrimage to the Holy Land and Greece. And it has been a ride.
It was a simple day. A hot day, but simple. We got an early start for the Acropolis, only a 15 minute walk from our hotel. Cindy's knee and asthma were bothering her, so we received permission to use the elevator to ascend to the top. It was really more like a funicular or one of those skyscraper construction lifts attached to the side. It was fun.
The plateau atop the Acropolis was a rocky surface with a few gravel paths. But the temples! It was amazing that such grand work was performed thousands of years ago. And built in only 9 years! We circled the three temples and enjoyed the experience with our friends from the tour, nearly all fellow church members.
I know the Apostle Paul was in Athens, but it's not certain he went to the top of the Acropolis.
One place we know he went to the was Mars Hill, a rocky hill on the western side of the Acropolis. This is where the Apostle Paul spoke to the high council of Athens in Acts 17. There is a tablet imbedded in the stone that contains his words in Greek.
Two of our young students with us read Paul's words aloud to us very near the same spot he likely stood at. Then our tour co-host, Ronnie, also our preacher, added some brief thoughts.
Our local tour guide, Thenia, closed with the observation that part of Paul's message was that we are all equal in the eyes of God. That was a well accepted message in Corinth, with its multi-levels of society. But it was not a message well received among the elite of Athens.
My thoughts turned to, have I absorbed that same message well? How well has anyone? I pray this trip has reinforced for me what is important to God.
"There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28)
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