ARTICLES

“Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward” (Exodus 14:15 NASB).

The people of Israel stood trapped. Behind them was Pharaoh’s army. In front of them was the sea. Fear rose quickly, and their voices turned to panic. Had they come this far only to perish in the wilderness?

Moses responded with what sounded like strong faith: “Stand still and see the salvation of the LORD.” It was a call to trust, to wait, to watch God act. And in many moments, that is exactly what faith looks like.

But this time, God answered differently: “Why are you crying out to Me? Move forward.”

In that moment, God challenged not their fear, but their hesitation. The miracle they needed would not come while they stood still. It would come as they stepped forward.

Imagine the scene. The sea had not yet parted. There was no visible path, no sign of escape. And yet God’s command was clear. Go forward.

Faith, in Scripture, is rarely passive. It is not only believing that God can act. It is moving when He calls, even when the outcome is unseen. The people had to step toward the very obstacle that terrified them. Only then did God make a way.

How often do we find ourselves in similar places? We pray, we wait, we hope for God to intervene. We tell ourselves to be still and trust. Yet sometimes, God is not asking us to stay where we are. He is calling us to take a step.

It may feel uncertain. It may even seem unreasonable. But obedience often begins before clarity.

God did not part the sea first and then invite them to walk through. He called them to move, and as they did, He revealed His power. Their action became the doorway to His deliverance.

This is the tension of faith. We want absolute certainty and assurance before we act; however, God often asks for obedience before we see the miracle He wants to perform.

What is the step in front of you today? Where is God asking you to move forward, even though the way is not yet clear?

The same God who made a path through the sea still leads His people. He is not asking us to create the miracle. He is asking us to trust Him enough to step toward it.

As we move, He makes the way.

PRAYER

Father, give us courage to move forward when You call. Help us trust You even when we cannot see the outcome. Teach us to walk in obedience, believing that You will make a way where there seems to be none. Amen.

As Israel marks Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, the nation does so under the shadow of recent trauma and ongoing conflict.

The October 7 attacks, though far smaller in scale than the Holocaust, shook Israelis deeply and revived painful echoes of a past many hoped would never again feel so close. For many, it was not just the brutality of the violence but the intent behind it that stirred historical memory.

Yom HaShoah is a solemn reminder that the Holocaust was not an inevitable tragedy but the result of unchecked hatred. The systematic murder of six million Jewish men, women, and children was fueled by a virulent form of antisemitism that spread across Germany and much of Europe, an ideology that defied reason and humanity.

Holocaust survivor and former Israeli Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau once reflected on this hatred: “Anti-Semitism you can explain, but you cannot find a reason for it. It’s against dialogue. It’s against logic. It’s a spiritual madness.” His words continue to resonate today as antisemitism persists in new forms across the globe.

Established in 1959, Yom HaShoah falls on the 27th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan, shortly after Passover. It commemorates not only the victims of the Holocaust but also the courage of those who resisted, especially during the Warsaw Ghetto uprising, when Jewish fighters stood against Nazi forces in a final act of defiance.

Each year, Israel’s national remembrance begins at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. In a deeply moving ceremony, six Holocaust survivors, often joined by their descendants, light six torches in memory of the six million lives lost. Their presence bridges past and present and ensures that the stories of survival and loss are carried forward.

The following morning, a siren sounds across the country. For two minutes, life in Israel comes to a complete halt. Cars stop mid highway, people stand in silence, and a nation collectively remembers.

The name Yad Vashem comes from the book of Isaiah: “I will give them…a memorial and a name…an everlasting name that will never be cut off” (Isaiah 56:5). It reflects a central promise that those who were murdered will never be forgotten.

In 2005, the United Nations established International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27. This date marks the liberation of Auschwitz Birkenau, where more than a million people, most of them Jews, were killed.

Today, Israel observes this day amid a broader and ongoing regional struggle. Though a ceasefire may temporarily quiet the front lines, threats from Iran and its allied groups, including Hezbollah and the Houthis, remain a persistent concern. Their stated hostility toward Israel underscores a sobering reality that the dangers of hatred and extremism have not disappeared.

Yom HaShoah is therefore not only about remembering the past but also about vigilance in the present. It calls on the world to confront antisemitism wherever it appears and to stand against ideologies that dehumanize and destroy.

As this day is observed, many continue to reflect, to remember, and to pray for the victims of the Holocaust, for those affected by recent violence, and for a future where such tragedies are no longer repeated.

Stephen Faircloth is the President of CBN Israel, an initiative dedicated to sharing the true story of the Jewish nation and inspiring a global community of Christians to stand with Israel and support her people in need. Our vision is to reshape the global conversation about Israel by fostering understanding, hope, and healing between Jews and Christians around the world. For more than 50 years, the Christian Broadcasting Network has supported Israel. By joining CBN Israel, you become part of this enduring legacy, transforming lives today and strengthening Christian support for Israel for generations to come.

This week’s Torah reading is Parashat Shmini (Leviticus 9:1-11:47). Read on Shabbat, April 11, 2026 / 23 Nisan 5786. The following is a special devotional drawn from this week’s reading.

“For the LORD said, By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy, and before all the people I will be honored” (Leviticus 10:3).

Parashat Shmini marks a pivotal moment in the life of Israel. After days of preparation and consecration, the priests begin their service in the Tabernacle. Aaron offers the sacrifices as commanded, and the presence of God appears to all the people. Fire comes forth from before the LORD and consumes the offering on the altar. The people respond with awe, rejoicing and falling on their faces. It is a moment of divine nearness and unmistakable glory.

Yet within the same chapter, a sobering event unfolds. Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, offer unauthorized fire before the LORD. Their action, though perhaps well intentioned, does not follow the command given by God. The result is immediate and severe. This contrast between accepted worship and misguided offering reveals the seriousness of approaching God with reverence and obedience. Holiness is not defined by human impulse but by God’s instruction.

Shmini also includes teachings about what is clean and unclean, guiding daily life beyond the Tabernacle. These instructions remind Israel that holiness extends into every area of life. It is not limited to moments of worship but is expressed in choices, habits, and discernment. God calls His people to be set apart, reflecting His character in both sacred and ordinary spaces.

This portion invites reflection on how we approach God. There is joy in His presence and gratitude for His nearness, yet there is also a call to honor Him with sincerity and respect. Worship is not only about emotion or expression. It is shaped by alignment with God’s will. When reverence and devotion come together, they create a space where God’s presence is rightly honored.

Some may be drawn to passion and spontaneity in their spiritual life. This reading encourages balancing that passion with attentiveness to God’s guidance. Others may feel distant or unsure how to approach Him. Shmini offers reassurance that God desires to reveal His presence, while also inviting careful and thoughtful devotion.

As this Shabbat arrives, consider how you are honoring God in both your worship and your daily decisions. Reflect on areas where greater attentiveness or reverence may be needed. Approach Him with humility and gratitude, trusting that His presence brings both joy and transformation. Let your life become an expression of holiness that reflects His glory.

PRAYER
Lord, help me approach You with reverence and sincerity. Teach me to honor You in my worship and in my daily life. May my heart reflect Your holiness and my actions bring You glory. Amen.

By Stephen Faircloth

In the Christian Quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City stands one of the most sacred places in the world, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. For centuries, believers have come here to remember the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Though surrounded today by busy streets and ancient stone walls, this place invites us to step into the most important moment in history.

The tradition identifying this site goes back to the fourth century. When the Empress Helena visited the land, local Christians pointed to this location as the place where Jesus was crucified and buried. Her son, Emperor Constantine, then built a church here, calling it the Church of the Resurrection. From the beginning, the focus of this place was not death, but life.

Long before it became a church, this area had a different story. In ancient times, it was a stone quarry outside the city. Over time, it was filled in and became a garden with trees and, eventually, a burial site. Tombs from the time of Jesus have been discovered here, reminding us that this place once lay beyond the city walls, just as the Gospels describe.

This detail matters. Jesus was crucified outside Jerusalem, in a place where tombs were cut into rock. The presence of first century tombs at this site aligns with that reality. What feels crowded and enclosed today was once open ground, quiet and removed from the city’s center.

The tomb itself, now enclosed within the church, has been shaped and reshaped over centuries. What visitors see today is not the untouched burial place, but a structure built around it. Still, at its core lies a first century tomb, the kind described in the Gospels.

History layered more meaning onto this place. In the second century, a Roman temple was built over the site, covering it for generations. Yet the memory of its significance did not disappear. When the temple was removed and the church constructed, that memory resurfaced. The testimony of early believers, preserved despite time and change, points to this location with remarkable consistency.

For many visitors, the question remains: Is this truly the place?

Archaeology and ancient tradition both support its authenticity. But even more important than the exact location is what happened. Somewhere just outside Jerusalem, in a garden tomb, Jesus was laid after the cross. And three days later, that tomb was empty.

Standing in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, surrounded by stone, history, and centuries of prayer, we are reminded of a simple and powerful truth. Death did not have the final word. The grave could not hold Him.

This place, whether one stands inside its walls or simply reflects from afar, calls us back to the heart of the gospel. The cross, the burial, and the resurrection are not distant events. They are the foundation of our hope.

The empty tomb still speaks.

It tells us that God brings life out of death. It tells us that what seems final is not final in His hands. And it invites us to trust that the same power that raised Jesus is still at work today.

Stephen Faircloth is the President of CBN Israel, an initiative dedicated to sharing the true story of the Jewish nation and inspiring a global community of Christians to stand with Israel and support her people in need. Our vision is to reshape the global conversation about Israel by fostering understanding, hope, and healing between Jews and Christians around the world. For more than 50 years, the Christian Broadcasting Network has supported Israel. By joining CBN Israel, you become part of this enduring legacy, transforming lives today and strengthening Christian support for Israel for generations to come.

“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!” (Luke 24:5-6).

In the first century, crucifixion was tragically common. The Romans executed thousands in this brutal way, and at first glance, Jesus’ death may have seemed like just another loss, another crushed hope. For many, it was exactly that. His followers watched in grief, their expectations shattered, their future uncertain. But the story did not end at the cross.

Early on the first day of the week, a group of women went to the tomb, carrying spices to honor Jesus’ body. Instead of closure, they found confusion. The stone had been rolled away, and the tomb was empty. As they stood there wondering, two messengers appeared with a question that still echoes today: “Why do you look for the living among the dead?”

Everything changed in that moment. Jesus had risen. The resurrection became the foundation of the message proclaimed by His followers. It was the unmistakable declaration that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. The apostle Paul would later affirm that it was through the resurrection that Jesus was revealed in power for who He truly is.

Even when speaking to audiences who struggled to accept it, Paul would not compromise on this truth. The resurrection was not an optional idea. It was the heart of the good news. Jesus did not remain in the grave. He walked out of the tomb.

For His followers, the resurrection was also deeply personal. The cross had left them discouraged and disoriented. They had hoped He would redeem Israel, but His death seemed to bring those hopes to an end. Yet God turned their despair into joy, their confusion into clarity. He did what only He can do. He brought life out of death. That same power still speaks into our lives today.

There are moments when everything feels lost. Dreams fall apart. Diagnoses shake us. Circumstances seem impossible. In those moments, it can feel like darkness has the final word. But the resurrection reminds us that God specializes in reversal. What appears final to us is not final to Him. Because Jesus rose, we have hope that goes beyond our present circumstances. His victory over death is also a promise. Those who trust in Him share in that victory. Death is no longer the end of the story.

Peter captured this beautifully when he wrote that through the resurrection, we are born again into a living hope, with an inheritance that cannot fade or be taken away. This hope is not fragile or temporary. It is secure because it rests on what God has already done. Even when we face the reality of death, whether our own or that of someone we love, we do not stand without hope. The empty tomb assures us that life has the final word.

No matter how dark the night, God brings light. No matter how impossible the situation, He makes a way. No matter how final something seems, He is still able to bring new life. Why can we trust this? Because Jesus walked out of the tomb.

PRAYER

Father, thank You for the hope we have in the resurrection. When life feels uncertain or overwhelming, remind us that You bring life out of death. Help us trust You in every circumstance, knowing that Your power and promises never fail. Amen.

This week’s Torah reading is the holiday portion for Pesach (Exodus 12:21-51 and Numbers 28:16-25). Read on Shabbat during Pesach, April 4, 2026 / 16 Nisan 5786. The following is a special devotional drawn from this week’s reading.

“You shall observe this event as an ordinance for you and your children forever. When you come to the land that the LORD will give you, as He has promised, you shall keep this service. And when your children say to you, What do you mean by this service, you shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD’s Passover, for He passed over the houses of the people of Israel in Egypt when He struck the Egyptians but spared our homes” (Exodus 12:24-27).

Parashat Pesach centers on remembrance and redemption. The night of deliverance is not meant to fade into history but to be told and retold through every generation. God commands His people to remember not only the event but its meaning. The story of rescue becomes a living testimony that shapes identity, faith, and hope.

The act of remembering is active and intentional. Families gather, questions are asked, and answers are given. Through this rhythm, each generation learns that they are part of a larger story. Redemption is not only something that happened in the past. It becomes a reality that continues to define the present. God’s faithfulness is carried forward through words, actions, and shared memory.

Pesach also reveals that deliverance requires trust and response. The people marked their doorposts, prepared their meal, and stepped forward in obedience. Their actions reflected faith in what God had promised. Freedom was not only declared. It was received through participation in what God instructed.

This portion invites us to consider what it means to remember well. In busy lives it is easy to move forward without reflection, to overlook the ways God has provided and delivered. Yet memory strengthens faith. When we recall what God has done, we find courage to trust Him again. The story of redemption becomes a foundation for present hope.

Some may be in situations that feel uncertain or unresolved. Let the message of Pesach remind you that God is able to bring deliverance in ways that may not be immediately visible. Others may be in seasons of stability and blessing. This is a time to give thanks and to share the story of God’s faithfulness with others, especially those who are still searching for hope.

As this Shabbat during Pesach arrives, take time to remember the ways God has worked in your life. Speak those memories aloud, write them down, or share them with someone close to you. Let gratitude fill your heart. Choose one way to respond with trust and obedience, allowing the story of redemption to shape how you live today.

PRAYER
Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness and for the ways You have brought redemption into my life. Help me remember Your works and trust You in every season. May my life reflect gratitude, obedience, and hope in Your saving power. Amen.

“The LORD’s Passover begins at sundown on the fourteenth day of the first month. On the next day, the fifteenth day of the month, you must begin celebrating the Festival of Unleavened Bread. This festival to the LORD continues for seven days, and during that time the bread you eat must be made without yeast…” (Leviticus 23:5-8).

It was a night filled with tension and expectation. Inside their homes, the people of Israel waited quietly. After centuries of bondage in Egypt, they had received precise instructions through Moses. Each household was to sacrifice a lamb and mark their doorframes with its blood. They were to prepare the meal and remain indoors until morning, trusting that something extraordinary was about to unfold.

That night, judgment came upon Egypt. Every firstborn in the land perished, from the lowest household to Pharaoh’s own family. Yet the homes marked by obedience were spared. The divine presence passed over them, preserving life within. By the following day, after enduring ten devastating plagues, the Israelites were released from slavery and began their journey toward freedom under Moses’ leadership.

This defining moment is remembered each year during Pesach or Passover, a central observance in Jewish life. In Exodus 13:5-8, the people are instructed to retell this story to their children and to eat unleavened bread for seven days. This bread, often called the bread of affliction, serves as a reminder of both hardship and haste, since there was no time for dough to rise before departure.

Today, this bread is known as matzah. Though made simply from flour and water, it must be prepared and baked within eighteen minutes to prevent fermentation. Its simplicity reflects both urgency and humility.

For generations, Jewish families have gathered on the evening of Passover for a special meal known as the Seder, a word meaning order. During this meal, the Exodus story is recounted in a structured and symbolic way. While customs may differ across cultures, the core message remains constant: God’s power to deliver and redeem.

Preparation for Passover involves removing all leaven from the home. This process can be detailed and thorough, as families search carefully to ensure that no trace remains. The act symbolizes a cleansing, both physical and spiritual.

During the Seder, a plate holds several symbolic foods. A roasted bone recalls the Passover sacrifice. A boiled egg points to the cycle of life. Bitter herbs represent the harshness of slavery, while a sweet mixture called haroset reflects the mortar used in forced labor. A green vegetable dipped in salt water evokes both renewal and tears. Matzah is also central, placed prominently as a reminder of the Exodus experience.

For many Christians, Passover holds additional significance. The Last Supper shared by Jesus and His disciples was a Passover meal. When He broke the bread and spoke of His body, He was using unleavened bread. This connection continues in Christian communion practices today.

Some believers also see meaning in the appearance of matzah, with its markings suggesting suffering and sacrifice. Its lack of leaven is often understood as a symbol of purity. Within this perspective, Jesus is seen as the Passover Lamb, whose sacrifice brings redemption. The cup He shared is often associated with the Cup of Redemption from the traditional Passover meal, aligning with His words about a new covenant.

Passover and Easter frequently occur around the same time in early spring. The Jewish observance lasts eight days, with the first and last days marked by special gatherings. In Israel, one Seder is held, while Jewish communities elsewhere typically observe two evenings of celebration.

Holiday Greeting

Chag Kasher V’Sameach

Wishing you a happy and kosher holiday

During the intermediate days, it is also customary to say:

Moadim L’Simcha

Wishing you a joyful festival

Historical Note

In ancient times, the Passover celebration included the sacrifice of a lamb that was roasted and eaten during the Seder. This practice continued until the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in the first century.

Stephen Faircloth is the President of CBN Israel, an initiative dedicated to sharing the true story of the Jewish nation and inspiring a global community of Christians to stand with Israel and support her people in need. Our vision is to reshape the global conversation about Israel by fostering understanding, hope, and healing between Jews and Christians around the world. For more than 50 years, the Christian Broadcasting Network has supported Israel. By joining CBN Israel, you become part of this enduring legacy, transforming lives today and strengthening Christian support for Israel for generations to come.

By Stephen Faircloth

After sharing the Passover meal in Jerusalem, Jesus left the city with His disciples and went to a place called Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36; Mark 14:32). While the exact location cannot be identified with certainty, the Gospels make clear that it was on the Mount of Olives, just across the Kidron Valley from Jerusalem (Luke 22:39; John 18:1).

During Passover, pilgrims would eat the meal within the city, but many stayed outside its walls on the surrounding hillsides. The Mount of Olives, with its groves of trees, provided a natural place to gather, rest, and pray. It was here, away from the crowds but still within sight of the city, that Jesus often withdrew with His disciples.

The name Gethsemane likely comes from Hebrew words meaning “oil press.” This suggests the area was associated with the production of olive oil, fitting for a place on the Mount of Olives. The imagery is striking. Just as olives are pressed to produce oil, Jesus entered a place where He Himself would be pressed under the weight of what lay ahead.

Today, visitors to Jerusalem can walk among olive groves on the Mount of Olives and reflect on this moment. While traditions point to several possible locations, the precise spot matters less than what happened there. The setting itself helps us understand the depth of Jesus’ experience.

Beyond the ridge of the Mount of Olives, the land drops sharply into the wilderness that stretches toward Jericho and the Dead Sea. This rugged terrain has long provided refuge for those seeking to disappear. From where Jesus prayed, escape was not far away. Within a short time, He could have fled into the wilderness and avoided what was coming.

That reality gives new weight to His prayer: “Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42).

Jesus was not trapped. He was not forced. He stood at a place where He could choose another path. Yet He willingly turned away from escape and toward obedience. He chose the Father’s will, even though it led to suffering and the cross.

Gethsemane reminds us that surrender is often a choice made in moments of deep struggle. It is not always easy or painless. It may involve facing what we would rather avoid. But it is in those moments that true trust is revealed.

We all encounter our own “Gethsemane” places, moments when we must choose between our will and God’s. Sometimes the easier path lies within reach. Sometimes obedience feels costly. Yet Jesus shows us what it means to trust the Father fully.

He chose obedience, knowing that beyond the suffering lay redemption.

As we reflect on Gethsemane, we are invited to consider our own response. Will we trust God when the path is difficult? Will we surrender our will to His, even when we do not fully understand?

The same God who strengthened Jesus in that moment walks with us in ours.

Stephen Faircloth is the President of CBN Israel, an initiative dedicated to sharing the true story of the Jewish nation and inspiring a global community of Christians to stand with Israel and support her people in need. Our vision is to reshape the global conversation about Israel by fostering understanding, hope, and healing between Jews and Christians around the world. For more than 50 years, the Christian Broadcasting Network has supported Israel. By joining CBN Israel, you become part of this enduring legacy, transforming lives today and strengthening Christian support for Israel for generations to come.