Day 11 - Herodion, Bethany, Jaffa, museum

The last day of this journey, or as we have come to call, a pilgrimage. My legs are weary but my spirit is refreshed. The words of this blog are inadequate to express the splendor, joy, and magnitude of this country.  I feel that I have retained less than 10% of what I have heard, seen and experienced. I am grateful to our guide Doran, who shepherded us through this history of people and places.  And to our driver, Mike, who could drive a tour bus through the eye of a needle.  And to the faculty, divinity school students, friends and family of Campbell University - THANK YOU.  Your kindness, laughter, insight, and shared love for our Lord have enhanced this journey beyond words.  I consider it a great honor to have shared in your fellowship these last 12 days.

Pardon the delay in this last blog. We had a full of sites and people on Saturday, a late goodbye dinner to our hosts, 2 hour processing through customs, and a long overnight flight back to Philadelphia.

I have attempted to arrange this batch of pictures so that they have more relevance to setting.  I will eventually process all prior day pictures the same way.

The final day was just as full as all others.

We began at the Herodium, yet another creation and palace of Herod the Great. Despite his grandeur in buildings and engineering, Herod was despised by most. As we known, he ordered the death of all male babies near the birth date and place of  our Lord. He also killed some of his own family members. It I said that "it is better to be a pig than a son of Herod". The Herodium was built to be Herod's final resting place although there is some doubt as to whether he was buried at the peak of this place.  It is also said that he ordered a group of Rabbis to be killed when he died to keep them from celebrating his death. Fortunately, his decree was not carried out.

The Israel Museum is an incredibly large complex.  The Dead Sea scrolls are kept here as well as many other artifacts. The most awe inspiring display was the 1/50 scale of Old Jerusalem.

The Garden Tomb was a reverent place.  Although there is much debate over the possibility of our Lord's crucifixion and burial was at this place or at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the Holy Spirit was certainly felt at this place. We shared communion together after Kelly Jorgenson shared an inspirational message with our group.

The Church of Lazarus marked our visit to Bethany.  The home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. This is also where Lazarus died - the first time. There are many lessons of faith, patience and encouragement in the passages of scripture regarding this event.  The message of Mary and Martha and how they chose to serve our Lord also occurred at Bethany.

The final stop was a Jaffa, also known as Joppa. A place of several key Old and New Testament events. From the discovery of this city by Noah 's son, to the story of Jonah to the story of Peter's dream - this city was a beautiful reminder of how God can use the history and walk of others to enhance our own walk.

Our host, Doran, treated us to a goodby dinner at a beautiful restaurant town down Tel Aviv. He bid us well as we enjoyed the last hours of fellowship together.

I encourage all to take this journey/pilgrimage.  The scriptures, particularly the words not written in red,  will have a much greater meaning.  I plan on making this trip again - and to work on absorbing more of the remaining 90 %.

Day 11 pictures Here
Shalom

Day 10 - Caving, digging and learning

2 Chronicles 32:30  This same Hezekiah also stopped the water outlet of Upper Gihon, and brought the water by tunnel to the west side of the City of David. Hezekiah prospered in all his works.

Our day started at the City of David and with a history lesson on that city came to be.  I had not realized that this city was the model for the walled Temple Mount - a lot of the weeks sites, paths, and inspirations were visible from this great city. David's palace has been recently unearthed which was very exciting to see and touch.  We had many sidebar discussions on stories related to David and his walk with God. Our day finished with a walk on the grounds of a very significant event in David's life - see below. 

The invigorating portion of the visit was a trek through the tunnels of Hezekiah.  These tunnels were used to supply water to the City of David.  They were also the same tunnels that David breached as he and his soldiers laid claim to this fortified wall.  Imagine entering an underground cave with a gushing stream that was above your knees....and marching 1700 feet.  And this cave was narrow enough for only 1 person and a 6' person needs to stoop several times lest they hit their noggin on the rock ceiling.  These tunnels are very dark without headlight flashlights.  

We exited the tunnel at the pool of Siloam, where Christ healed a blind man.  This was also the location for our group devotion. Fittingly, the lesson was on John 9 and when and how did the blind man gained sight. Probably after he was obedient and demonstrated his faith by going to the pool. It was not the magic spittle. 

Our next spot allowed us to be part of history by connecting some dots. We were part of a dig at Tel Maresha.  This town dates back to 200 BC. Several in our group found pottery, animal bones, and even an oil burning light. On the surface this sounds like a gold panning exercise at Tweetsie Railroad? However, this was real stuff.  We were 30' underground in a real underground house. Our host archeologist had discovered a draft marriage contract from this same site dating back to about 150 BC. This item is also on display at the Israeli museum.

The final stop of the day was at the valley of Elah - where David met Goliath. I gathered rounded stones just as David did.  This, yet another lesson on obedience and faith.

Today was physically demanding and on the heels of several spiritually exhausting days.

One more day, another full one and we depart this Holy land and begin our own journeys anew.

Photos from the day - a little less than prior days at Day 10

Shalom

Day 9 - Heavy Heart

Psalm 22:14 I am poured out like water, And all My bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; It has melted within Me.

Tough day - my heart is spent and my soul weary.

We started the day at the Western Wall and the Temple Mount. Jews from all over the world who have congregated at a place where their temple - use to be.  Their place of Holy of Holy's is unknown and their Rabi discourages Jews to visit the actual Temple Mount.  This place is probably the most dangerous place in all the world.  It is he source of all 3 of the worlds main religions, with the Muslims having the only building at this sacred spot.  If anything happened in this spot, or to that building, WW III would likely break out. The gold domed building in the pictures is the Muslim shrine.  The Jews pray for their own temple in their daily prayers. We had to scurry off the Temple Mount by 10:30 since we "infidels" are not welcome. 

This led us to Via Dolorosa which was a surprise in different ways. Although the thought of our Lord making that journey to the cross is very sad and tearful,  the physical landmarks have been commercialized and are very crowded.  The take-away for me is my walk is to be my walk - my personal prayerful walk, free of distractions but mindful of those around me - and only I am responsible for my own walk. As you read the below, note how each station reflects a ministry, message, or mission for us all.  I tried to take pictures with every station. Our group joined in a prayerful message at each station.  The finish took us through the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. 

The stations are:

1) Jesus is condemned to death

2) Jesus takes up the cross.

3) Jesus falls under the cross for the first time.

4) Jesus meets His mother.

5) Simon the Cyrenian is forced to carry the cross.

6) Veronica wipes the sweat from Jesus's face.

7) Jesus falls for the second time.

8) Jesus consoles the women of Jeruslem.

9) Jesus falls for the third time.

10) Jesus is stripped of His garments.

11) Jesus is nailed to the cross

12) Jesus dies on the Cross.

13) Jesus  is taken down from the cross,

14) Jesus is laid in the tomb.

Jesus rises from the tomb.

After a short visit through the Arab market we ventured to Hebron. Sadness accompanied us to this site also. This is the place of the tombs for Abraham, Rebecca, Jacob and Leah. Tradition has it that this is also the place of Joseph's tomb. The sadness is that this volatile community of Hebron prevents tourists from visiting this sacred site.  You will not find Hebron on many of the tour maps.  This is very sad to me. Even as we were leaving a small boy tried to throw rocks at us. An Israeli soldier stopped him.

Our final stop of the day was the most sobering and heart wrenching - the Holocaust Museum and in particular the children's museum. 6 million Jews were killed during those tragic years with 1.6 million of them children. No pictures were allowed and my words would do a disservice to describe this memorial to these children.  The main museum had an exhibit of just shoes of some of the Holocaust victims.  I will say no more since you must see and hear with your own senses.

Images for the day Day9

Tomorrow promises to be a fun day but I expect none of us will be the same after today.

Shalom 

Day 8 - Mt of Olives, The Garden, Bethlehem

An emotional day and also a good lesson on discernment versus judgment.

The Western Wall Tunnel - a lot of former Sunday School lessons came alive today with this unscheduled addition to our agenda.  This underground view of he original Western Wall surrounding Jeruselem.  Incredible.  This was part of Herod's efforts and included some huge single rocks that were set in place - a single chiseled boulder measuring 150' in length.  Since this was the Western Wall we saw many praying at this underground wall.  And as a reminder, the Western Wall was the wall closest to the Holy of Holy's and therefore the most sacred.  The initial pictures for today will be from this wall, which is 50 feet below ground level.

Mount of Olives - my heart was weak in this spot as I imagined our Lord's prayers in his place.  Knowing what He was there to do and the anticipation of the event.  One can plainly see Jerusalem from here, and much to my surprise, the Garden of Gethsemane is just a little further down the hill.  My spirit imagined that final journey into Jerusalem, one where people were singing Hosanna on Psalm Sunday and the next calls for His crucifixion.  That anguish is hard to think about.

There is a Jewish cemetery on that same slope.  Unlike our traditions, visitors to these graves leave a rock on top of the grave covering with each visit and prayer.

The Garden - a beautiful spot but also of strong emotions - disciples not able to stay awake, the place of His arrest etc.  There is a church there now and known as the Basilica of Agony - fitting for the pain that pierced this place of beauty.  Also at his place are the trees where the crown was made.  My mind does not like to go to those places.

My prejudice was humbled as we saw the other sites for the day.  We journeyed to Bethlehem, which is in Pakistan - yes, check points and everything.  Our normal guide, an Israeli, is not allowed to guide in that area so we had a Pakistani - Christian.  Yep, you heard correctly, a brother in Christ.  His zeal for Christ, His people, and His glorious history was very obvious.  He toured us through the Church of Nativity - a very diverse but beautiful church where Greek, Armenians and Latins share this cross shaped church. This original church is dated to 614 and was almost destroyed by be Persians .  The only reason it was not was because of the invading army saw pictures of the Wise Men hanging on the wall as they entered.  The Wise Men were from Persia.  This site contains the location where Mary gave birth to Jesus and where He was laid in the manger. The Catholic Chapel of Saint Catherine is nearby and is also very beautiful.

Shepherds Field is only 3 Km from the above and is supposedly where the shepherds were tending their sheep.  These cave like areas have since been modernized with walls but what was most striking was the view from this spot to where the shining star would have been. Easily seen up the hill.  Appropriately we sang Silent Night as a prayer of Thanksgiving.

The most awaking moment of the day was a visit to Bethlehem Bible College.  We broke bread with our very gracious hots and then enjoyed a biblical and political history of this land war between Arab and Jew. It was a refreshing perspective and cast the Palestinians in a different light.  This college produces many Christian missionaries to the Palestinian and Muslim people.

Tomorrow will be the largest struggle of this trip - emotionally and spiritually as we travel the path of Via Dolorosa.  I covet your prayers.

My apologies for being behind on picture captions.  I will likely not catch up until sometime after this trip.  See today's at Day 8

Day 7 - Ein Gedi, Masada, Dead Sea

Fun Day - Ein Gedi is the location where David and Saul played hide and seek and where David cut off a part of Saul's cloak.  This spring runs through this land and creates beautiful waterfalls in 3 different locations. See 1 Samuel 23 and 24. Caves are prominent in these hills and it is easy to see how David could be so elusive.

Masada - I must plead ignorance for not being aware of this incredible place.  I had asked one in our group want I was and it was described as a fort  - well this fort was on the top of a huge 15 acre rock. Masada was built by Herod and was later taken over by the Jews as part of their great revolt. Well, the Romans wanted It back and surrounded and attacked the city of apx 900, and mosly women and children. The Jews refused to be taken prisoner and have the wives abused and the children become slaves so they decided to kill themselves instead of surrendering to the Romans.  A very tragic story that is part of the strong Israeli pride.  Words would not do justice to try to describe this place.

Dead Sea - a lot of fun.

See today's pictures at Day 7 pictures the first 10 pictures are from a prior day and are from memorial sites of the 6 day war from 1967.  Another example of how God protected Israel.

1Samuel 23:29 and David went up from there and lived in the stronghold of En Gedi.

Day 6 - May 20, 2013 - Journey to Zion

Another super charged spiritually invigorating day.  As the joy increases so does the sleep deficit.  Sleep hours are minimal due to the anticipation of the next day as well as he effort to note and reflect on the previous day.  Although we traveled by bus today I was scared to nap for fear of missing something.  As soon as I would put my camera away Doran would share some significance of a passing landmark - and today was full of landmarks.

My spirit is about to bust with gladness.  It is easy to see why David often broke out in Psalms.

Today was very full - picture link below -
Day 6 photos

Jesus Boat - a 2000 year old fishing boat discovered in 1986.  The challenges of excavation with such a discovery were immense.  The boat contained over 10 types of wood indicating it was pieced together with whatever wood the builder can find.  Don't you know how they would be surprised to hear their rough floating vessel lasted 2000 years.

Tabgha - also known in the Greek as Heptapegon for seven springs.  It is believed to be the place where Jesus fed the 5000.  Unlike most other pictures of this event, there are only 4 loaves showing in the mosaic.  The 5th being Jesus who is the bread of life. 

Church of St Peter's Primacy -the place where the resurrected Lord appeared to the disciples and where Peter was appointed to the office of Primacy with the words - "Feed my sheep" John 21:1

We then began the trek to Jerusalem - as billions have done before us - but with many stops along the way.

The drive was a strong reminder of the struggles and friction that  coexists  in this Holy land. The Jewish communities were surrounded by barbed wire. The drive was through Palestinian territory.

The first stop was at a small secluded shop.  Hebron glass was the big draw - handcrafted in Hebron only. 

Lunch was at a restaurant near the Mt of Temptation - where Christ was tempted.  Also the place of Elisha springs , from Judges, where Elisha put salt in the water to make it usable.  Isn't it like our God to do the illogical to show how awesome and powerful He is.  Yet another of our Lord's  lessons on salt. Interesting that the Men's room was named "Man"  - Doran said it was because they do not know how to spell. :) 

We then went to Jericho - the oldest city of 10,000 years and the lowest city in all the world.  We saw a watchtower that predated the walls of Jericho.  And to think I thought Bathe was an old city. 

Kasar el Yahud  - where John the Baptist baptized Jesus.  Of most interest were  he doves that were present in this very out of the way place.  Very very ironic . Also interesting was one side of the Jordan had Israeli soldiers and the other side had Jordanian soldiers. 

Qumran  - Dead see scrolls - possibly the greatest find in all of history and it was only in 1947.  It added indisputable credibility to the Old Testament. 

St Georgia's Monastery - a very overwhelming but unscheduled stop.  A very winding road to an obscure place that could have easily been where David wrote Psalm 23. It was along he primitive road to Jericho and near the St George Monastery.  The pictures of this site simply do not do justice.   

Jerusalem - the Holy City - one can not help but to have an upswell of emotion as you view the entire inner city from afar.  A surge of different events and scriptures fill your spirit as you gaze at this grand city.  

A full day. Each day has surpassed the one before in splendor and glory of the magnificence of our Lord. 

Psalm 9:11 - Sing the praises of The Lord, enthroned in Zion, proclaim among the nations what He has done. 

Day 5 - May 19, 2013 - Holy waters

What a great day! Kinda sappy all day - surely the presence of The Lord is in this place!

Started out at Bet Shean, also known as Greek Scythopolis, dating back to 4th millennium BC.  A huge city with 18 layers of civilization.  It had a theater and an amphitheater.  The Temple of Zeus topped the highest point.  Now, as you will see in the pictures, in that pace is a movie prop of the Judas tree from Jesus Christ Superstar.  They decided to leave it there.  They also had a public urinal. The wall was lined with marble stones sticking out, one for each bun.  People sat side by side and water ran just under where you sat.  Leaves assisted with the paperwork.  Probably best know as the place where the head of Saul was hung -1 Samual 31:10.  A tough hike up to where the trample was.

Springs of Gideon - next.  This was the exact location where Gideon chose his army by way his soldiers sipped water from the spring.  This was God's way of making sure Gideon's army relied on God more than themselves.  He narrowed the army down from 10,000 to 300 to fight the Midians - Judges 7.

Lunch at Tiberias - lunch was awesome at a place called the Deck.  The menu was Saint Peter's fish or fresh water Talopia.  Tiberis was a former cemetery and was thus unclean and a place for the Jews.  It was founded around 20 AD by Herod the Great's son Tiberias. If I heard correctly, the Rabbis ended up declaring the city clean and the Israelites began to flock there.  This was also the home of the Sanhedrin. We left there by boat.

Sea of Galilee - what a spiritual experience.  Singing praises to our Lord on the Sea of Galilee - even my singing presented a joyful noise.  The Sea of Galilee was more like a lake -  7 mile wide and 13.5 miles long.  Jesus spent 3 years of his ministry in this area and you can see every spot. Our boat driver was named Moses and led us in a Hebrew worship song. 

Jordan River - the final stop of the day. 17 of our 37 reaffirmed our baptism in these holy waters.  It was a very moving and spiritual experience. 

Matt 3:3 - A voice of one calling in the wilderness - prepare the way for The Lord - make straight paths for Him. 

Pictures Day 5