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Israel Journal Day 7

March 13, 2010

Day 7: Yad Veshem/Israel Museum/Bethlehem

We began our day visiting the Yad Veshem which is the holocaust museum as well as the school of holocaust studies. Israel uses this school to enforce and re-enforce the importance of this story to all of the military to which we got a first hand look at with hundreds of soldiers preparing to go through Yad Veshem.

Masada is used for purposes of being sure that the Jewish army is completely clear of what it at stake. It is pretty emotional to see how it is that this country prepares it’s young people and their view of their country.

We were shown the progression of steps that led to genocide and how society missed so many cues where if they would have reacted 6 million Jews would not have been exterminated. The steps start with 1st attitudes – 2nd actions – 3rd discrimination – 4th violence – 5th extermination and murder. These steps were further explained with activities in Germany 1933 where attitudes in January led to anti-Semitist riots in March; later that same year the killing of people unfit to live and finally concentration camps. Sadly no reaction led to this tragedy and which also begged the question “do we have a sense of moral responsibility?”

Some stories of people and countries like Bulgaria, Greece, and the Danish that refused to comply with the Nazis in order to protect the Jews just moved me. The names of these people are located on “The Avenue of the Righteous Gentiles” where trees have been planted to commemorate the many Christians who helped save lives of Jews during World War II.

Charles Coward is one of those names. He was from England and became a leader in one of the concentration camps where our tour guide for the first time heard the story from a family he was giving a tour for. A grandpa brought his whole family to Yad Veshem and as he came across this name he broke down in tears as he told the story to his family. If it wasn’t for this man none of us would be here because as a little boy this man pointed to the woods and told me to run and not to look back. Charles made it possible for the escape!

There is a building called the “Hall of Remembrance” where all of the bones or ashes of Jews that lost their lives by the Nazis were brought here and buried beneath the black floor of this building. White letters in the floor name each of the 22 camps used for the purpose of extermination along with an eternal flame.

May we as followers of Jesus not only refuse to participate in any kind of racism but that we will stand for those that are being treated this way!

Bethlehem
We then entered the city of Bethlehem which is a Palestinian area which required us to leave our Israeli guide behind and we were given an Arab as a guide. This was an eye-opening experience – more on this later. We were going to see the Church of the Nativity which is the oldest church in the world.

Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus Christ, is a town about 5 miles south of Jerusalem.
Micah 5:2 As for you, Bethlehem ..from you a king will emerge who will rule over Israel on my behalf, one whose origins are in the distant past.

During pre-Christian times, it was the home of Ruth and Boaz and their great grandson, David.
Ruth 4:11 …May you prosper in Ephrathah and become famous in Bethlehem.

Samuel anointed David in Bethlehem to be the second King of Israel.
1Sam 16:4 Samuel did what the LORD told him. When he arrived in Bethlehem…

For a time, the Philistines occupied Bethlehem, and it was here that David’s three men broke through the Philistine ranks to bring him water.
2Sam 23:15 David was thirsty and said, “How I wish someone would give me some water to drink from the cistern in Bethlehem near the gate!”

Not far outside of Bethlehem is the tomb of Rachel (Jacob’s wife), which is still there today.
Gen 35:19 So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).

In AD 385, a church was built on the traditional site of the Nativity, the birth-place of Jesus. The emperor Justinian erected the building as it stands today. Although most religious buildings were destroyed during the Persian invasion of the 7th century AD, the Church of the Nativity, was not destroyed. The New Testament books of Matthew and Luke list Bethlehem as the birthplace of Jesus. Matthew 2:1–6 describes the birth of Jesus as the fulfillment of Micah’s prophecy. What surprised me is to learn that the spot I am touching is in a cave not in a barn as I had grown up believing!

Getting into and seeing Bethlehem proved to be a day of a greater understanding of the plight of the Palestinian people. I saw some Palestinians facing hardships behind a great wall of racism and physical boundaries.

Here are some of my takeaways:
1. The Palestinian/Jewish conflict have multiple narratives – but both sides want peace.
2. There is a certain tone of the oppressor which reminds me of how those who took land away from the 1st Nations must have sounded.
3. The wall in Palestine is 4 times longer and 3 times higher than the wall of Berlin.
4. Understanding is different when you see and experience the reality of those who are in pain.
5. I’m not trying to be political by this statement at all yet just reporting what I see. If Christians really saw what was happening here they would come alongside both Palestinians and Israelis who desire justice, equality, and basic human rights.
6. Are we so biased that we are blind-sided to potential abuses of power by those of authority?
7. In one occupied zone of settlers. Here’s the stats: 400 Israeli settlers/1500 soldiers. In this one occupied zone, there are close to four soldiers per settler. Whereas in the same area outside the occupied zone there are 220,000 Palestinians with little protection.
8. There are multiple ways to beat your enemy. It doesn’t have to be a quick strike. Stirring hopelessness via abuse, intimidation, and force is a pure evil that makes me nauseated.
9. A lot of injustice can happen under “security purposes.”
Some of my thoughts are mulling around this question.. if those that are having their rights taken away – should they “be like Christ” by not standing for their rights?
My initial response to this is: We’re certainly not Jesus. While we’re trying to be like Him, His purpose was distinct namely to take the path of suffering and relinquish his rights. He was obedient to death. However, those who follow Jesus are called to live out these words..
Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good, and what the LORD really wants from you:
He wants you to promote justice, to be faithful, and to live obediently before your God.

While we strive to please God, we also have a calling to be a voice for the voiceless and an advocate activist. Our responsibility as followers of Christ is to be willing to relinquish our personal rights and even embracing pain but also our mandate seems to be about laying our lives down for the voiceless, being an activist of hope and justice.

Today’s Trip Reflections:
1. This trip isn’t a feel good type trip like you often hear from those who go on typical Holy Land tours. I think it may be because the focus is on Justice. To experience so much injustice, is somewhat dark and depressing.
2. Some Palestinians refer to Bethlehem as an “open air prison.” Why? Over 380 checkpoints in the city. The huge wall. Inability to travel to Jerusalem or to fly out of Tel Aviv.
3. Typically in cities, you can feel the energy of the people. Here it is subdued. Reminds me of a place that has been beaten down both physically and economically.
4. There’s a perspective shift on this trip when you shift your mindset from being a tourist to simply experience to being a pilgrim.
5. On a good note, Teresa and I are having a good time processing future trips here with those we hope to come. The best part of the trip is being with her. Hearing her laugh.. She’s so low maintenance compared to me!

I can’t believe this journey to the Holy Land is over. It’s been a rich trip filled with great conversations, reflections as well as disturbing, unsettling realities. I feel I’m not the same person I was 7 days ago. I’ve been drawn to a people I formerly had little compassion for. . . namely, the Palestinians. I love the Jewish people and Israel but I think I also must have bought into an interesting propaganda spin about the Palestinians which I’m embarrassed about and was ignorant of. I still love the Jewish people and now I love and hurt for the Palestinians as well. I now see certain biblical passages in a different light. Scriptures typically purported in our evangelical communities have a certain shading that dare I say “curses” the Palestinians but the reality is they are a people blessed by God. I still have much to learn and discover but my heart is moved by what I’ve seen. Now, God, teach me what I’m to do.

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Israel Journal Day 6

March 12, 2010

Day 6: QUMRAN/ MASADA/ DEAD SEA
Today started as we boarded our bus in preparation to drive south of Jerusalem into the barren and long descent toward the desert wilderness. The wilderness by some is considered a place of solitude, a place to meet God and hear his voice, and driving by this area it is not hard to imagine.

Qumran
We were headed to the Qumran caves located at the northwest corner of the Dead Sea, where the Essenes painstakingly put the Scriptures on to scrolls and eventually placed them in clay jars and in these caves.

The Essenes were a group of people that because of the corruption of temple worship decided to begin a new community 200 BC. They desired a simple life founded on scripture which the Essenes made scrolls of. In 1947 a Bedouin shepherd boy found these scrolls which are known as the Dead Sea Scrolls in caves where the monks would spend time with God. The scrolls included a variety of writings, including some copies of almost every Old Testament Books (except Esther and Nehemiah). The scrolls do not include any Christian or New Testament texts. When Titus and his Roman legions arrived at Jericho, the Essenes hid the scrolls in nearby caves and fled. The dry desert air kept their secret for almost 2000 years.

This is cave #4 which housed scrolls that when the Romans came through probably toward Masada 66 AD they went on a slashing rampage which resulted in 15,000 fragments of leftover scroll. Hard to believe, what was their problem?

Upon the discovery of these scrolls there is an interesting story of how they were first sold to a shoemaker and then to a set of random individuals. The scrolls eventually are now housed in the Shrine of the Book at the Israel museum in Jerusalem.

This is Teresa in front of this museum which you can see is to be in the shape of a scroll end. If she looks cold it’s because she is!

Masada
The next stop is one that I have been waiting to see for over 20 years when I first learned of the story that took place in Masada in 66AD. “Masada” is a Romanized word for the Hebrew Mitzada, which means fortress. The site is an isolated plateau that overlooks the Dead Sea. It is on the eastern edge of the Judean Desert, in the southern part of the land of Israel, just a few hours drive from Jerusalem. King Herod, according to the first-century Jewish historian named Josephus, built a fortress on Masada to protect himself in case there was a revolt. Herod was appointed “king” by the Romans to govern over the Jewish people. He was extremely unpopular with the people. Decades after Herod died, there was a massive revolt among the Jewish people to free themselves from the oppressive rule of the Roman Empire. A group of Jewish fighters defeated a Roman garrison and captured Masada, which then was used for about two years as a base for some of the Jewish fighters.

These were the boulders that the Jews would have thrown down on the Romans as they made their way up to capture them. Unfortunately the Romans used Jewish slaves as the front men which then became the targets of these heavy, lethal boulders.

The revolt, sometimes called the First Jewish-Roman War, ended in 70 AD when the Romans completely destroyed the city of Jerusalem and the Temple.
We took the cable car to this fortress where this revolt took place resulting in 1000 Jews committing suicide to avoid capture from the Romans.

After all of these years of not knowing where Masada was it was discovered in 1898 by the PEF (Palestinian Exploration Federation). In Israel Masada is one of the 2 locations that every person that serves in the army visits (the other is Yad Vashem) where they tell all 18 year olds the story of Masada. Finally they have each person take the Bible in one hand and a rifle in the other and they then swear to protect their country and to provide continuity no matter what! It was a very powerful place to experience.

En-Gedi
From Masada we drove to En-Gedi, an oasis on the western shore of the Dead Sea, about 20 miles south of Qumran and 10 miles north of Masada. We had a blast at the Dead Sea which is the lowest spot on the planet at over 1200 feet below sea level. A group of us ventured into the water and before you knew it we were literally lifted to the top of the water. I never had so much buoyancy. It was a lot of fun. Some took the rich mud from this sea and caked it on their bodies for skin defoliation. One looked like a warrior!

It is also here that David hid in En-Gedi on his flight from King Saul, and it was here that David cut off a corner of Saul’s cloak.
1Sa 24:1 When Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, they told him, “Look, David is in the desert of En Gedi.”
1Sa 24:2 So Saul took three thousand select men from all Israel and went to find David and his men in the region of the rocks of the mountain goats.
1Sa 24:3 He came to the sheepfolds by the road, where there was a cave. Saul went into it to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the recesses of the cave.
1Sa 24:4 David’s men said to him, “This is the day about which the LORD said to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hand, and you can do to him whatever seems appropriate to you.’ ” So David got up and quietly cut off an edge of Saul’s robe.

The battle between King Jehoshaphat and others began at Hazazon-Tamar (which is En-Gedi).
2Ch 20:1 Later the Moabites and Ammonites, along with some of the Meunites, attacked Jehoshaphat.
2Ch 20:2 Messengers arrived and reported to Jehoshaphat, “A huge army is attacking you from the other side of the Dead Sea, from the direction of Edom. Look, they are in Hazezon Tamar (that is, En Gedi).”

En-Gedi is known for its aromatic plants as mentioned in the Song of Solomon.
Songs 1:14 My beloved is like a cluster of henna blossoms in the vineyards of En-Gedi.
Josephus wrote that the finest palm trees and balsam grew there. Excavations during the 1960s and 1970s uncovered several layers of settlement going back to King Josiah. It was destroyed in 582 BC, again in 40 BC, and again in 68 AD.

Driving through the wilderness and seeing the shepherd protecting his sheep made imagery become more real to me after seeing the caves where shepherds led their sheep. At the entry of the cave the shepherd would guard his sheep. Also, interesting is how our guide mentioned how Westerners tend to herd their animals, in the Middle East they “lead” their sheep. There is a leadership lesson in there somewhere!

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Israel Journal Day 5

March 1, 2010

Day 5: Jerusalem
This morning I wake up in Jerusalem and I begin my day doing my devotions in #612 King Solomon Hotel. Pretty amazing as I look out of my window at the view I have of the old city of Jerusalem.

I spent time reading from Mark 11 where Jesus comes into Jerusalem just as Teresa and I are preparing to as well. Jesus enters and leaves Jerusalem 3 separate times, the 1st time Jesus just looks around and then leaves. It’s like Jesus is scouting out the place – quite possibility seeing things that are a big problem to him. Not sure but could it be that Jesus is so worked up inside with what he sees that is wrong in the temple that he cursed the fig tree as he left the temple? 2nd time Jesus heads straight for the temple and turns it upside-down – staying around all day and into the evening and then leaving for the night just outside of Jerusalem.

This is a model of the temple as it would have appeared during the time of Jesus.

3rd time the authorities are ready for Jesus and they confront him directly in several different ways. Jesus’ responses to these interactions leave me with a big grin on my face as Jesus handles these authorities with such cheeky confidence. It almost seems that Jesus was picking a fight – so clear on his mission and so clear in his tactics. My prayer today is that Teresa and I will be able to experience the power of Jesus as we walk through this city!

A little about Jerusalem.. it is the most famous city in the world. It’s located in the Judean Hills of Israel, with the Hinnom and Kidron valleys as part of its borders. Its elevation is 2600 feet above sea level. Earliest mention of Jerusalem can apparently be found in Egyptian texts dating back to the 19th century BC. Jerusalem is first mentioned in the Bible as Salem, or Shalem..
Gen 14:18 Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine.
This verse describes a meeting between Abraham and Melchizedek.

Jerusalem became the center of power for the land of Israel during the time of King David. David drove the Jebusites out of Jerusalem and named it the City of David.
2Sa 5:6 Then the king and his men advanced to Jerusalem against the Jebusites who lived in the land. The Jebusites said to David, “You cannot invade this place! Even the blind and the lame will turn you back, saying, ‘David cannot invade this place!’ ”
2Sa 5:7 But David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the city of David).
2Sa 5:9 So David lived in the fortress and called it the City of David.

He reigned there as King of Israel for 33 years, after reigning his first 7 years in Hebron. After David, all of the kings of Judah reigned in Jerusalem. David’s son, Solomon, built the Temple in Jerusalem, which was later destroyed, rebuilt, and destroyed again.
This photo marks what they believe is the tomb of David.

The original site of Jerusalem, as it was during the days of David about 3000 years ago, is still sometimes called the City of David. It is south of the Temple Mount and is surrounded by hills.
Psa 125:2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people, now and forevermore.

Constantine the Great sent his mother Helena to Israel in AD 326, and she became associated with Constantine’s building of the first great Christian churches. Today with 3 major religions centered in Jerusalem, Judaism, Islam, Christianity, it is the focal point of the world.

Jerusalem has been a city of war and take-over’s from way back 3300 B.C. Here is a timeline of occupants for the city of Jerusalem since then.
3300 BC – Canaanites
1006 BC – Israelites
586 BC – Babylonian
538 BC – Persian
332 BC – Hellenistic
63 BC – Roman
324 AD – Byzantine
638 AD – Muslim
1099 AD – Crusaders
1260 AD – Mamluk
1517 AD – Ottoman
1917 AD – British
1948 AD – State of Israel
I remember looking at this list and imagining all of this history and behind it all is destruction, brokenness, and death. This is a something that is becoming more apart of the story of this pilgrimage that I am on. It’s really very sad and I can understand with new understanding why it is that Jesus wept over the city and being at the place where he wept had quite an impact on me.
Luke 19:41 Now when Jesus approached and saw the city, he wept over it..

Mount of Olives
The Mount of Olives being just to the east of Jerusalem is one of the most revered places for Christians. On its slopes are the Garden of Gethsemane, Bethany and Bethpage. It is here that Jesus would have wept over the city that he would be looking out over, it is here that Jesus sometimes taught his disciples, it is here where he began his Palm Sunday entrance into Jerusalem, where he prayed and sweated drops of blood, where he was arrested, and where he rose up to Heaven.

Today the Mount of Olives is dotted with many churches, including the Church of Dominus Flevit which is where Jesus wept. This church is shaped like a teardrop.

As well, the Church of All Nations marks the place where Jesus would pray and be arrested before his crucifixion.
Mark 14:32–35 Then they went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took Peter, James, and John with him, and became very troubled and distressed. He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, even to the point of death. Remain here and stay alert.” Going a little farther, he threw himself to the ground and prayed that if it were possible the hour would pass from him.

The Church of Mary Magdalene a Russian Orthodox church remembers the 1st person to see the resurrected Jesus. As well, the Chapel of the Ascension marks the rock from where Jesus left the earth and ascended to Heaven.

There is also the largest Jewish cemetery in the world located here.

Garden of Gethsemane
Gethsemane was the place where Jesus prayed shortly before being betrayed by Judas and arrested by the Romans. (Matthew 26). This olive tree dates back 2000 years and is believed was here at the time of Jesus.

From here we spent the rest of our day exploring the Old City of Jerusalem. One place I was really looking forward to seeing was the Upper Room where Jesus had the last supper with his disciples as well as where the Holy Spirit came powerfully onto the disciples at the birth of the church.
Acts 1:13 When they had entered Jerusalem, they went to the upstairs room where they were staying.

St. Peter’s in Gallicantu is built on top of the High Priest Caiphas’ House and is where Jesus was brought after he was betrayed by Judas. It is here we remember the 3 denials of Peter.

How painful that must have been for Jesus to have been not only betrayed by Judas but also by Peter. Relational betrayal is very painful especially for what it results in. the stairs that Jesus would have been led away on are still there today.

Via Dolorosa
The Via Dolorosa, also known as the Way of the Cross, is the path which Jesus walked while bearing the cross, from the place of judgment to Calvary.
It starts at the Church of Flagellation, (below) winds through the streets of Jerusalem into the Christian Quarter, and ends in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. There are 14 stations along the route, and each one marks an event that took place during Christ’s last walk before his crucifixion. Nine of these stations are actually along the Via Dolorosa and five are inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Here is the list of the 14 stations: with many of them marked in some way as shown in this 3rd station location.
1. Jesus is condemned to death.
2. Jesus receives the cross.
3. Jesus falls the first time.
4. Jesus meets his mother.
5. Simon is made to bear the cross.
6. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.
7. Jesus falls the second time.
8. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem.
9. Jesus falls 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 taken to the Sepulchre.

The church of the Holy Sepulchre marks the death and some believe the burial of Jesus. The tension between the Christians in large part comes down to which denomination is entitled to the ownership of these holy places? There is so much division in this country and the one group you would expect unity is with Christians but that is not the case at all. The ladder in the picture on the 2nd story was used to clean that window by one Christian denomination while another group thought it was theirs to clean.

The infighting became so bad that the Israeli government needed to intervene and took the keys away from the Christians and gave them to 2 Muslim families to control the opening and closing of this Christian church. The ladder is a reminder of this feuding. I just shake my head!

Garden tomb
The Garden Tomb is located just north of the Damascus Gate, outside the walls of Jerusalem. This site was discovered by a group of British Christians during the late 1800s. The Tomb looks like what people might typically envision as Christ’s tomb.

Also, there is a skull-shaped hill nearby, as indicated in the New Testament as Golgotha. This site is believed by some Christians to be the site of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Others believe that the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is the site of the tomb.

I think I am a bit overwhelmed by all of what I am reminded of what Jesus went through. The garden that Jesus came to before he died, and then having to make this big decision really hit me. It’s the place of rest but also of solitude. Everyone of us needs a place like this before we make big decisions. And the truth is Jesus offers that to each of us.
Our guide said to us today that we are not “tourists, we are pilgrims and everyone must come to Jerusalem because it’s our home.” He said, “Come back. We need you.”

Here was a prayer I came across that says it better than I..
God, help me to see beauty where there is brokenness.
to awaken to light where there is darkness.
to grasp hope where there is none.
to release love when I feel betrayed.
to transform pain rather than run from it.
to know my own sin rather than condescendingly judge others.
to be willing to die to give life.
to elegantly and release joy and hope in the midst of sorrow.
in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

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Israel Journal Day 3

February 27, 2010

Day 3: JESUS MINISTRY IN GALILEE

After a great sleep until 3:00 am at the Kibbutz Ginossar which is right on the Sea of Galilee, this is what I woke up to as I looked outside of my 4th floor window doing my devotions.

I spent some time reading through Mark 1–3 where all of this God activity took had taken place. I was in Galilee! Being in the place where Jesus preformed so many miracles is very moving and found my prayer being – “Lord may you have full control over my life to do whatever activity in me that you choose”.

Galilee refers to both a region and a sea in the northern part of Israel.
The Sea of Galilee, which is also named Sea of Tiberias, Lake Kinneret, Lake of Gennesaret, and Holy Lake, is a fresh-water lake in northern Israel. It’s 13-miles long and about 8 miles across at its widest point. The lake is 640 feet below sea level and is surrounded by mountains about 1500-feet high. Its maximum depth is 150 feet. The Jordan River feeds it from the north. It then continues south to the Dead Sea. The area around the lake is a paradise of trees, grass fields and fertile soil. The lake itself is well stocked with fish.

After a phenomenal breakfast at the kibbutz we visited the remains of an ancient fishing boat from the time of Jesus.

In 1986 2 men were walking along the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee when they noticed this buried piece of wood that later through a team of excavators found this boat. After removing all the bugs in the wood by soaking it in acid for 10 years they covered it with wax. The Vatican had requested that they borrow this boat to place on display to celebrate the millennium but the kibbutz denied the request fearing that they would not see the boat return to them.

Later we boarded a boat and sailed north from Tiberias up to Capernaum. The ride on the lake caused me to reflect on all of the activity of God that had taken place here.

Jesus preached along these shores and called James, John, Peter and Andrew to be his disciples, to be “fishers of men.” He performed many miracles here, such as the calming of the stormy sea, walking on water, and feeding the 5000.

Today there are churches built on or near areas that mark the event in the life of Jesus. I am standing over looking the site where they believe that Jesus gave the sermon on the Mt. at the Church of the Beatitudes. It is a beautiful setting!

Tabgha, the church of the Loaves and Fishes mark the place where Jesus fed the 5000. There is a pool of gold fish in the front of this church that really caught  my attention.

This church is built over the rock that Jesus is believed to have set the bread and fish on when he blessed it before passing it out to the people.

Mark 6:41 He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. He gave them to his disciples to serve the people, and he divided the two fish among them all.

Galilee is the highest and coolest area in Israel with a valley dividing the area in half, the upper half rises 3000 feet above sea level, and the lower half has rich soil for agriculture. The sea has a Syrian/African rift which creates a wind tunnel that normally causes the winds to travel north south. On rare occasions an eastern wind called a “sharkea” will cross through this rift creating tsunami-like conditions. Our guide actually saw one take place where there was a wall of water that hit Tiberias – it made quite a mess. Interesting when you imagine the storm that Jesus and the disciples went through – no wonder they were frightened for their lives, I would have been too!
Mark 4:37–38 Now a great windstorm developed and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was nearly swamped. But he was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. They woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care that we are about to die?”

Capernaum

Next we drove to Capernaum, centre of Jesus’ Galilean ministry. Capernaum is a town on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, with a port for its fishing industry. Jesus went there from Nazareth and found his first disciples, Peter, Andrew, James and John.

It was in Capernaum that Jesus directed Peter to catch a fish with a coin in its mouth to pay the Temple tax. On leaving Capernaum, Jesus condemned it along with other cities that had not heeded his call to repentance.

Today there is the remains of a synagogue like the one Jesus would have gone to while he lived there. It would have been here where Jesus would have healed the man with the withered hand in Mark 3.

Mark 3:1 Then Jesus entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand.

A short distance from the synagogue, a church was built in the 4th century over what is believed to be the house of Peter.

Since then, a new church has been built on the site. Houses have been excavated in Capernaum dating to the 1st century AD. Jesus left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum, in Peter’s house, after he heard that John the Baptist had been arrested.
Mark 1:29–33 Now as soon as they left the synagogue, they entered Simon and Andrew’s house, with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law was lying down, sick with a fever, so they spoke to Jesus at once about her. He came and raised her up by gently taking her hand. Then the fever left her and she began to serve them. When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered by the door.

As well as Jesus healing Peter’s mother-in-law, he also healed the paralyzed man who was lowered through the roof, and many others who gathered to see Jesus. Being in the hometown of Jesus especially seeing how close the synagogue was from Peter’s house really brought the action of the ministry of Jesus home for me. Interestingly, we were told that the town of Capernaum was on the border of 2 ruling kings so if Jesus would get in trouble in one region he would just go over to the other for a time! I love the stories I am hearing about Jesus.

Caesarea Philippi

Next we drove up to the Golan Heights where the war between Israel and Syria took place in 1967 as well as the war of Yom Kippur 1974. Then to the Banias at the foot of Mt. Hermon which is one of the 3 sources of the Jordan River, the spot of Caesarea Phillipi the most northern limit of Jesus ministry. Snow covered the top of Mt. Hermon and then learned that this Mt. is actually shared between 3 countries, Lebanon, Syria, and Israel. Caesarea Philippi is north of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus and his disciples visited this region. Here, Peter declared that Jesus was the Son of God.

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. – Matthew 16:13–17

Being at the place where Jesus went on to say, “On this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not prevail” was very eye-opening! There stands this hole in a mountain and a pit that sits next to a pagan temple – Pan – that would have been what Jesus would have pointed to when he made this statement.

Jesus in the face of the pagan gods makes this bold pronouncement and it still moves me as I see the bride of Jesus as God’s tool for kingdom activity!

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Israel Journal Day 4

February 27, 2010

Day 4: NAZARETH/BEIT SHAN/JERICHO

I find it pretty awesome to wake up and realize – Hey I’m right next to the Sea of Galilee where so much of the live of Jesus was spent! As I walk down to the restaurant for breakfast I can’t help but notice that on the side of most every hotel and house door that I can see is a “Mezuzah” which means “Guardian of the doorways of Israel.”

The placing of a mezuzah on the doors of a home or office protects the inhabitants – door posts are mentioned in the Old Testament.
Deut 6:9 Inscribe them on the doorframes of your houses and gates.

Nazareth
Today we went to Nazareth via Cana, where Jesus turned the water into wine (John 2). We didn’t stop in Cana but as we passed by I let myself imagine this festive event of all these people and how kind Jesus was to be sure that the host was not to be embarrassed in the shortage due to his poor planning. It gives me such a great picture of the person of Jesus – 1st miracle is wine!

We then visited an authentic reconstruction of a Nazareth village in the way it would have been from the time of Jesus. The picture of this 1st century building shows how the roof would have been constructed which shows the determination the 4 friends of the paralytic had in order to break through the roof in order to lower their friend to Jesus. (Mark 2)

Nazareth is a town in Galilee about 18 miles west of the southern tip of the Sea of Galilee. It was there the angel Gabriel came to the Virgin Mary and announced that she would give birth to Jesus which is marked by yet another church.
Luke 1:26–27 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, a descendant of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.

From the 4th century onwards, churches were built on the sites located by Helena, Constantine’s mother, which were connected with Jesus, Joseph and the Virgin Mary. This one is called the Church of the Annunciation and was completed in 1969.

As Teresa and I were walking through this church I leaned over and kissed her cheek. Well how was I supposed to know you are not allowed to do that – ya I got in trouble, it wasn’t the 1st time this happened in Israel and it wouldn’t be the last! Stay tuned!!

Some time after the birth of Jesus, the family returned to Nazareth. Jesus grew up there while Joseph worked as a carpenter. This stairwell is believed to lead to the workshop of Joseph. I’m pretty sure that I was some sawdust on the floor 

While in Nazareth we learned of the writings that the Jewish Rabbis would have used and the time periods of each. We were told that from the time the temple was destroyed up to the 5th century the 6 volume “Mishna” was to be followed. 2nd was the “Talmud” followed by 3rd the “Gomorra”. “The guide to the perplexed” is the 4th book, and the last book is “The set-up table”. At this point there is no other book which apparently accounts for the many divisions within the Jewish faith.

We then went to Beit Shan, an ancient city dating from the time of King Saul, and it is here that Saul and his sons were believed to be hung.
1Sa 31:10 They placed Saul’s armor in the temple of the Ashtoreths and hung his corpse on the city wall of Beth Shan.
This city was discovered by a man who was digging the foundation for his home and while digging hit something that resulted in being the Amphitheatre.

Fortunately we have this amazing city to explore but unfortunately for this man he lost his home.

Jericho
Being that Jericho is controlled by the Palestinians and our Israeli guide did not take us through the city because of this. I am becoming uncomfortable with what it is that I am seeing in the Israeli Palestinian debate to which I’m sure my future journal entries will address. It just doesn’t look right in the way that the Israeli authorities are treating these people, but that being said, Jericho is about 15 miles northeast of Jerusalem. During the days of Jesus, the ancient site of Jericho was largely abandoned and there was a newer settlement to the south, which had been built by King Herod.

Jesus performed miracles here, including the healing of a blind man named Bartimaeus.
Mark 10:46 They came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus the son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the road.

Jericho is believed to be the oldest, continuously inhabited city in the world. In ancient times, about 3400 years ago, Joshua sent two spies into the walled city, where they were aided by Rahab, the harlot.
Josh 2:1 Joshua son of Nun sent two spies out from Shittim secretly and instructed them: “Find out what you can about the land, especially Jericho.” They stopped at the house of a prostitute named Rahab and spent the night there.
Because of her assistance, she and her family were spared when the Israelites attacked the city. After seven days of circling the city with the Ark, the Israelite army shouted and the walls of the city came down. Jericho was the first major conquest by the Israelites after they crossed the Jordan and entered the promised land. It’s sad to me that after all of this great history that this city is under the rule of the Hemas and that Israeli people cannot enter it safely because of the risks associated with the unrest.

The story of my journey as a Pilgrim in this country is very eye-opening. I’ve had enough for one day, it’s time to call it a day.

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Israel Journal Day 2

February 24, 2010

Day 2: CAESAREA – MT CARMEL – MEGIDDO

Driving 33 miles north of Tel Aviv along the Mediterranean coast we came to Caesarea Maritima. We first visited the remains of the 25 km aqueduct which was necessary because when this city was built here by Herod there was a need for water.

Caesarea has a rich history as it was the capitol of the Roman province of Judea for many years. In the middle of the 3rd century BC, the Phoenicians built a small port here, and called it Stratos Tower. It was captured by Alexander Janneus in 96 BC, and became a Jewish community. When general Pompey conquered Israel in 66 BC, Stratos Tower became a non Jewish city. Emperor Agustus gave the city to King Herod, who built an entirely new city between 22 and 10 BC, and called it Caesarea to honor the emperor. Jerome states he saw the Hebrew original of the Gospel of Matthew here.

Peter baptized the Roman Centurion, Cornelius here.
Acts 10:1,48 Now there was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort… So he (Peter) gave orders to have them baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
Philip the Evangelist lived in Caesarea.
Acts 21:8 On the next day we left and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist..
Paul was imprisoned here 2 years, before being sent to Rome for trial. (Acts 24:27)

Excavations starting in the 1958 after a man discovered the theater while working in his field on his tractor resulting in uncovering a large Roman theater, and the city wall.

The first known inscription of the name Pontus Pilate.
This plaque proved the accuracy of the NT claim of this political figure.

There is also a Crusader fort near by.

Modern day Caesarea has become known as the Beverly Hills of Israel having the only golf course in the country.

Mt. Carmel

We Continued north until we came to Mt. Carmel where Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal.
1 Kings 18:18–19 Elijah replied, “I have not brought disaster on Israel. But you and your father’s dynasty have, by abandoning the LORD‘s commandments and following the Baals. Now send out messengers and assemble all Israel before me at Mount Carmel, as well as the 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah whom Jezebel supports.

The view from the lookout was spectacular with us being able to see Jerusalem in the distance. I looked up into the beautiful clear sky and saw 4 F15’s pass overhead, as well as the runway for the Israeli air force located in the Kishon valley. All of a sudden we heard an explosion which caused a certain level of curiosity – later we were told it was one of the F15’s breaking the sound barrier. COOL! This is the valley that Elijah executed the prophets of Baal. (1 Kings 18:40).

Megiddo

Megiddo became the main route between Egypt and Syria, and because of its position, many battles were fought in this area. Excavations have revealed a history of 20–25 layers of occupation going back 3500 years, when Thutmosis 3 and the Egyptian army conquered the area from the Canaanites.

It is believed that human sacrifices actually took place here on this round rock altar. Just looking upon this mound of rocks brought such a sense of sadness to me as I wondered of the people that had lost their lives in the name of religion. Even sadder was imagining children being placed here by their parents.

Eventually it came into the hands of the Israelites where King Solomon built one of his walled cities which overlooks the Jezreel Valley.
1Kings 9:15 Here are the details concerning the work crews King Solomon conscripted to build the LORD‘s temple, his palace, the terrace, the wall of Jerusalem, and the cities of Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer.

In the 10th century BC King Ahab built a water tunnel where we walked through which required that we descended 183 steps. Big walk just for water.

Not long after, in 925 BC, during King Rehoboam’s reign, it was captured by Pharaoh Shishak of Egypt. Later, it fell to Tiglath-Pilser III, King of Assyria, in 732 BC, who made it the capitol of one of the Assyrian provinces. King Josiah’s last battle occurred here against Pharaoh Necho in 609 BC at Megiddo.
2Kings 23:29 During Josiah’s reign Pharaoh Necho king of Egypt marched toward the Euphrates River to help the king of Assyria. King Josiah marched out to fight him, but Necho killed him at Megiddo when he saw him.
The city’s continued destruction and rebuilding has resulted in raising it into a high mound. It has become one of the largest archeological excavations in Israel. In the future, the armies of the world will assemble at Armageddon (Megiddo Revelation 19:14–16) for what is referred to as the “battle of midway”. It marks the half way point between the Nile delta and Golan Heights. For me to see all of these areas where battles have happened for all of history as well as seeing the battles that are presently on the verge of taking place is very sobering to me. Why can’t people just get along?

Jesus may your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.

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Israel Journal - Day 1

February 18, 2010

ISRAEL
January 24-February 2, 2010

Day 1: TEL AVIV

Leaving Toronto and 11 hours later being in Tel Aviv is amazing.

I absolutely love learning about cultures that are unfamiliar to me. It seems my antennae are more sensitive some how when I’m in a new or chaotic environment. I find that when there are people from wholly different world views than my own I feel challenged to hone my thinking. At the same time the flight disrupts the body clock. I’m alert right now but my body feels like it’s been in a boxing ring.

Meeting our guide Schmulick (we called him Samuel) was a real treat! This silver haired 65 year old had lived in Israel all of his life – raised in Tel Aviv while now living in Jerusalem and refers to himself as a “secular Jew”.

Our group consisted of 18 people with most of them being senior pastors from all over Canada. This is one very diverse group of people – should be interesting.

Driving through Tel Aviv Jaffa/Joppa really gave me the contrast of the old and the new just as the name Tel Aviv means. Jaffa being a 5000 year old port city on the Mediterranean sea grew to eventually spill into the official making of a new city Tel Aviv in 1909 with today having a population of 3 million forming Israel’s biggest metropolis.
We were told that the national bird of Israel was the crane 

The history of the city is rich. After Joshua conquered the new land, Joppa became part of Dan. King Solomon used Joppa as a port to bring in timber from Lebanon for the Temple, and Ezra also had cedar trees brought into Joppa from Lebanon.
2 Chron 2:6 Send me cedars, evergreens, and algum trees from Lebanon, for I know your servants are adept at cutting down trees in Lebanon. My servants will work with your servants.

The prophet Jonah sailed from Joppa on a ship going to Tarshish, but ended up in Nineveh.
Jonah 1:3 Instead, Jonah immediately headed off to Tarshish to escape from the commission of the LORD. He traveled to Joppa and found a merchant ship heading to Tarshish.

As we leave the airport we were traveling down the highway where Peter probably traveled on his way to Jaffa. This is where Peter stayed a long time in the house of Simon the Tanner.
Acts 9:43 So Peter stayed many days in Joppa with a man named Simon, a tanner.
It was here that Peter saw his vision of the beasts on a sheet, coming out of Heaven (Acts 10:5–17). As well, it is here where the resurrection of Dorcas took place (Acts 9:36–43). St. Peter’s Church commemorates both of these events.

We were able to see the house that Simon the Tanner lived in – actually it is now a 15th century building but I like to think of it as the original.. and I’m sure that the guy that is living in this house wishes the same. :)

So many battles have taken place in this area over time. This is the home of the Philistines of old. It is also this territory that Napoleon conquered leaving so many killed and lying in the ground that it was said that there were more dead then people alive to bury the dead so the dead were left to rot on the streets. The tension over this country 450 km by 150 km called Israel is still alive and well. Presently Israelis are called to serve in the army for 3 years beginning when they are 18 years old (women serve for 2). They are then apart of the Israeli reserve army until they are 42 years old.

The foundation of the country of Israel is built upon being a land for the Jews to return to. This raises the question of what is a Jew? This became our dinner conversation with Samuel our tour guide. It appears that there are 3 ways that a person becomes a Jew.
1. Anyone born of a Jewish mother.
2. Anyone converting to Orthodox Judaism – Hard complex process.
3. Anyone converting to Conservative Judaism – Easy process.

My devotions for the day found me in Deut 30:3,6 where is says..
If you turn your hearts to the Lord fully – then I will be gracious to you and free you and I will gather you from all the peoples from where you are all scattered… when you turn your hearts toward the Lord GOD WILL cleanse your heart so that you can love Him fully!

As I write out these verses I am sitting in the foyer of my hotel in Tel Aviv with a fresh cappuccino in my hand. I was struck by the initiation of God in 2 ways;
1. to gather His people that are scattered.
2. to change the hearts of his people.
It seems from this passage that all people need to do is to fully lean toward God so that the great work of God can begin. But even the beginning work has God written all over it. There is something about the timing of this reading just as Teresa and I embark on this journey as pilgrims through Israel. This land was promised by God as a GATHERING PLACE for His people from all the peoples. God loves His people and God wants to be loved by his people – yet God sees the intention of people’s hearts and it’s not good. But God is even committed to change the problem in people’s hearts. How gracious – How giving – How does one refuse this loving gesture?
I asked Samuel what it is that he does with the person of Jesus and why he does not accept Jesus as messiah. His response was “When the messiah comes the land will be completely beautiful – full of flowers – and the Dead sea will be sweet”. The difference between Samuel and Myself.. Samuel believes the Messiah comes to make the Dead sea sweet whereas I believe it is the followers of Jesus that are to make the Dead sea sweet. It is the mission of followers of Jesus to bring good news to this broken world. Big difference.

I love being able to do this trip with Teresa – we have dreamed for a long time to be able to. Life is filled with adventure and wonder and I want to keep pushing to move in and out of the box of my life. It’s a dance so dance well Mike!!

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Get out of the Truck

February 10, 2010

Joshua 18:3 How long do you intend to PUT OFF OCCUPYING the land God has given you?

Let’s say that someone has just given you a new house – it’s all empty and ready for you to move your furniture in and to make this house your home. You pull up into the driveway in the moving truck and you see this beautiful house and you decide to not make a move any further toward the house. In fact, you decide to eat and sleep and live while you sit in the front seat of the moving truck.

Sounds crazy?

This is what is going on with God’s people. Brand new land just waiting for them to make their new home but they decide to stay sitting in the moving truck.

Why do we do this?

It could be fear – it could be comfort – it could be distraction – but for sure we are missing out on a beautiful, adventure-filled life if all we do is stay in the truck.

Jesus calls us to follow him and become like him in the way that we live. Will we trust him? What he is calling us to is to be a people that see that our beautiful, adventure-filled life is to be about; Loving God – loving people – loving mission.

But in order to live this way we really need to get out of the truck!

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God First

December 11, 2009

Giving to God FIRST is what God asks – Num15:20. This prevents us not being able to give cuz we already did!

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The Power of Words

December 9, 2009

Exaggeration can really do damage – we must be known as people who are truth-tellers. Num 13:32–33. Our words really do matter.

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Is My Heart Right?

December 9, 2009

Daring to charge a hill without God having our heart has got disaster written all over it – Num 14:44 So Mike be sure he has your heart!

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