We all have studied, read,
and seen pictures, and some have visited places which
are classified as the seven wonders of the ancient world, although few people
can actually name all of them.
The list of
these sights, buildings or monuments were
originally compiled sometime around the Second Century B.C.
Greek Historians also wrote about the great monuments of their time.
For their builders,
the seven wonders were a celebration of religion, art, mythology, power, and science.
It is interesting to note that only one of these original, seven wonders of the ancient world,
stood the test of time until this day.
Poets, writers, and historians were urged to seek
replacements for these original wonders or fallen monuments and we see the other
modern and natural wonders of the world today.
Today, the Eiffel Tower in France, the Empire State Building,
Big Ben, Golden Gate Bridge, and other buildings or monuments are considered modern wonders, as
well as other natural wonders such as the Grand Canyon and Mount Fuji.
We know the natural wonders could only be made by God, and these seem
to grow even more beautiful each day and changing season.
The original seven wonders of the world were viewed at the time they were made
as the greatest structures on earth.
The pyramids symbolized the unity of the ones who
built them. Today, we read that only one of the original wonders remain.
Time changes things, but the natural wonders of the world remain.
Only God can make and
display the beauty of trees, mountains, canyons, waterfalls, and other beauty
which we see in the natural wonders of the world today.
The borrowed tomb in which our Savior was laid in Jerusalem still remains as a witness
that the Lord is not there but arose from the dead in victory over death and the grave.
This should be the "greatest wonder of the world," as his tomb is empty.
The tombs of other gods which men have worshipped still contain their bodies, but our Lord lives
forever. We have not only the
witness of the empty tomb in Jerusalem, but
the witness of those who saw our Lord after his resurrection.
We have His words given us, his last will and testimony; our New Testament. As the Scripture
in Matthew declared, "come see the place where the Lord lay."
This tomb is empty and reveals the power of God which was present to resurrect
Jesus from the grip of death, hell and the
grave. The stone which sealed
the tomb had been rolled away,
as Jesus became the
first fruits of the resurrection.
Because He lives, we have salvation and this is the greatest miracle
and wonder of all.
Our hearts, which were once like a tomb filled with sin, empty and
void of God's spirit; are now his temple, filled with peace, love and joy
as He dwells within.
As the Lord looks upon us, he sees the wonder of
his new creations, created in his image that we might follow after Him
and be one in unity and in faith.
May we never cease to lose our reverence and awe when we ponder on how
the Lord's amazing grace still saves, delivers, and heals.
As the words of a praise chorus declare, "Jesus, what a wonder you are!"
He is the wonder which the world needs to behold.
