Through the New Testament for Skeptics, Seekers, and Disciples

In Luke’s Gospel an angel told Mary that her son “will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” - Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭32‬-‭33‬ ‭NIV‬‬ Luke more than likely interviewed Mary as his gospel includes more of her story including her beautiful song about the goodness of God and the Son she was promised. The Gospel of Luke is a thorough account of Jesus’ ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension. Luke then wrote the book of Acts and even traveled with Paul throughout the Roman Empire as Paul planted churches. The Taj Mahal is considered one of the New 7 wonders of the World! In 1631 after the death during childbirth of his favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal, Shah Jahan had this mausoleum built for her. Taking 22 years to complete, 22,000 artisans worked for many years to complete this marble structure at what would cost in today’s money $1 billion. The white marble was transported 250 miles by 1000 elephants. The jades and the crystals came from China, the turquoise from Tibet, the Lapis Lazuli from Afghanistan, the sapphire from Sri Lanka and finally the carnelian was obtained from Arabia. The Taj Mahal seems to change colors at different times during the day as it is built of white marble that reflects the sunlight and the moonlight. Shah Jahan was one of the rulers of the Mughal kingdom which controlled much of South Asia including India between the 16th and 19th centuries. Also called Hindustan, they were Sunni Muslims with a Turkish-Mongol heritage. Tragically, Shah Jahan spent his last days imprisoned by his son where he could see the Taj Mahal from a distance. Kingdoms and nations rise and fall, but the Kingdom Jesus announced and reigns over is an eternal Kingdom!

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