Site Seeing: "He Loved Her So Much"

I couldn't resist writing one more blog post.  I understand this falls into the pastor stereotype of talking too much but we had such a good time today that I wanted to share it with you.

Today we saw a couple of sites from the Agra Fort to the Fatehpur Sikri (the city of victory).  But I think the group would agree that both paled in comparison to the Taj Mahal.  It was absolutely stunning.  We woke up really early so we could see it at sun rise.  Here are a couple of pictures:

This is the main entrance to the Taj Mahal (you can see it peaking over the left corner)

Just inside the entrance

A little closer

A different angle

We had a great guide who told us the entire history of the how's and why's of the Taj Mahal. Essentially, this was built by the Emporer Shah Jahan (read Sha Ja-han) as a giant mausoleum for his deceased wife Mumtaz Mahal (read Mum-taz Ma-hal).  He built it so that the entire world would know how much he loved her.  Whenever people would lay their eyes on this incredibly beautiful building, they couldn't help but think that he loved her so much.  And it's very clear from the detail and the quality of materials that he truly did love her.

As we were going through the tour, Nancy Dierdorf made the observation that Shah Jahan truly did love his wife but that love ended the minute he died at the age of 69.  It was obvious how great his love was for her, but it couldn't outlast death itself.  And that's when she brought it back to Jesus and how great His love is for us and continues to be for us even after His death and resurrection.  In fact, one could look at what Christ did for you and me and say the exact same thing they say about the Taj Mahal: He loved her so much.

Consider the words of Paul when speaking of a husbands responsibilities to his wife in Ephesians 5, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless."  Indeed, Jesus loved her so much.

He loves you so much and he left more than a building to show His love...He gave His Holy Spirit so that we may receive that mercy and grace in our lives each and every day and so that you may know no greater love than Jesus' for you.

Now there's another part to this blog post.  I'd like you to see the group photo that we took at the Taj Mahal:

You'll notice the entire group who went on the mission trip as well as two new faces on the left side of the picture.  I'd like to introduce you to the Bishop of Bible Faith Lutheran Ministries to India (whitish shirt) and Pastor Peter (black coat).  We've had the privilege of traveling with these two men over our time visiting congregations and let me tell you, they are all about telling other how much Jesus loves His people.

So i'm asking you to pray for them and pray for the many other pastors who, despite an extremely difficult environment, are sharing the wonderful message of Jesus who truly loved and still loves us today and always. 

May you be reminded of His love for you daily

Pastor Joe Behnke