The Stakes Are High

Happy 2004! With the LORD's help, we accomplished a great deal in 2003. We can hope to do even more in 2004. As Rabbi Tarfon (130 A.D.) used to say, "The day is short and the work is great, but the workers are lazy; however, the wages are high since the owner is in a hurry [to get the harvest into the barn]" (m. Avot 2:15). Yes, God is urgent to accomplish his work.

Rabbi Tarfon also said: "It is not our responsibility to finish the work, yet neither are we free to walk away from it" (m. Avot 2:16). Rabbi Tarfon's saying reminds us that we should not think of ourselves as all-important; it is God's work. Though God views his work as extremely urgent, it is his work, not ours. We are dispensable.

I want to thank Brian Becker and his staff at Poplar Bluff Internet for their help during 2003. Without them, we would be nowhere! Taking advantage of their technical support, we made good progress in 2003 in developing Jerusalem Perspective Online: we added new articles to the Articles page; we expanded the bookstore; we created new departments, such as an Audio page and a Photo Essays page (illustrated articles about the life of Jesus by photographer and biblical geographer Todd Bolen, and others); we opened a new discussion forum, introducing completely new and easier-to-use software--now approximately 150 of our most avid readers participate in forum discussions, posting their very interesting and enlightening thoughts; and, recently, we replaced the rotating front-page photos.