Pressing In
We had an opportunity to visit the Church of the Nativity while in Nazareth on our visit to Israel. The lines were long and several tour groups were there, each with their guide explaining the customs and history of the church and surrounding area. Behind us, there was a Russian group with a very loud guide pressing in on us and making it difficult for us to hear our English-speaking guide. I was the last in our group, so as we inched along, the guide behind us was walking backward, not noticing where she was. As we started down the steps to the shrine (the supposed rock where the baby Jesus was born), the group began to press in to us and push us out of the way. I became somewhat frustrated and angry in what I perceived as rudeness on the part of the guide and her group. As I expressed my frustration to friends, I was reminded that when Jesus was on earth, the multitudes pressed in on Him, crowding him, touching Him, invading His personal space. He did not become frustrated at this, b...