Jerusalem

The final three days of our visit to Israel were in Jerusalem where we started off by visiting the Garden of Gethsemani, a quiet respite from the clamor of the various ethnic quarters within the walled city.


Some of these olive trees in the garden were 1500+ years old. Perhaps some were even there as Jesus knelt in agonizing prayer while his disciples slept.

As we walked throughout the city, we were met with men and women who dressed quite differently from the sneaker wearing crowd from Compass Bible Church.

The moslem Dome of the Rock dominates the view of Jerusalem with it golden dome which rests on or near where Herod's temple stood before being destroyed by the Romans.

On our free day, we walked through the market place and purchased spices and a few other items as well as visiting the King David hotel which has welcomed many politicians and celebrities.


The presence of Israeli military was quite evident throughout the city, although I was amazed to see young female recruits walking in flip-flops with purses and carbines.

Standing on the rampart walls.

This is the site of the Garden Tomb, an alternative site of Christ's crucifixion and burial (rather than the Church of the Holy Sepulchre). Doesn't this look like a skull (Golgotha) to you?!

Entering the Garden Tomb through an enlarged opening which allowed easier access. A track existed to allow a stone to rolled in front of the opening. It was a much more serene and peaceful location the the Church and one which felt more in keeping with Biblical accounts.

Late Tuesday afternoon, we left the City and drove to a kibbutz for dinner before heading to the airport and our 11 p.m. flight. Overall, it was an excellent trip and one which will influence every Biblical passage that concerns the Promised Land when it is re-read. Shalom!

Shabbat

After arriving in Jerusalem late in the afternoon on Friday, we checked into our hotel and watched from our high-rise hotel room as traffic dwindled to nothing. It was Shabbat and everything closes down as we found out with elevators that stopped at every floor so you wouldn't have to "work" by pushing a button and cappucinos couldn't be made as a lever would have to be pulled or a button depressed.

So, Saturday, May 5, we boarded our bus and headed east towards the Dead Sea leaving Jerusalem to its Shabbat slumber.


The Dead Sea - The sun glistens off of a salt lake that is 32% minerals.


Our first stop was at Masada, the ancient desert fortress of Herod the Great which was occupied by Zealots as Rome sacked Jerusalem, and where they held out against the Roman legions for three years before commiting mass suicide as the Romans siege ramp allowed a final conquest.

About half of us decided to hike to the top of Masada, rather than take the perfectly good Swiss tram. With an elevation climb of about 900' and desert temperatures, I struggled to make it up in an hour (I think I worried our executive pastor if I was going to make it all) while a few young guys ran up the steep and stair lined path in about 20 minutes!


After lunch and my two minute ride on a camel around the parking lot for $2, we drove to an overlook which gave us a view of Ein Gedi, the oasis that David retreated to while being pursued by Saul and his men. Then it was on to Kumran and the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found by a bedouin boy in 1947.

We finished our Dead Sea adventures with a "swim" or rather a float in the Dead Sea. A pastoral directive was made that everyone who hadn't been there before had to try it. Mud was slathered on as a beauty aid and we floated high in the water while reading the Jerusalem Post. Just don't get any of the water in your eyes or mouth!

Up to Jerusalem

On May 4, we left the Sea of Galilee area and headed south towards Jerusalem. Our first stop was Beth Shean, a Roman city which was destroyed in an earthquake but which is now being partially restored so its splendor can be experienced.

A main street was bordered with columns on both sides with broad walkways of marble or inlaid mosaics that opened to storefronts. The original shopping mall!


The Romans lived an easy life with public saunas (the short pillars in the above picture supported a floor and allowed hot air to heat it), steam rooms, gymnasiums, pools and public facilities complete with running water. You'd go down for a steam, massage and manicure before heading over to the amphitheater to watch plays or sporting or gladiator events. When you'd eaten too much, just go outside to the vomitorium to relieve yourself.

Then we were off to Gideon's Spring where Gideon, at God's direction, reduced the number of his chosen soldiers to only 300 before going to battle against the Midianites (Judges 7) by selecting those who drank by cupping their hand while keeping their sword ready in the other hand.

Afterward, we had lunch and a swim in Sachne National Park where many chose to jump off a thirty foot cliff into the water. I chose to float and explore a luminescent cave. Since it was Shabat, and services would be closing, we continued south and then up to the hills of Jerusalem to our hotel.

Before arriving at the hotel, we stopped for a brief overlook of Jerusalem from one of the surrounding hills. The Dome of the Rock with its gilded surface screaming for attention amidst other older churches, buildings and fortified walls of the Old City.

Sea of Galilee

It's taken a bit longer for me to post about our trip to Israel, but these postings will continue.

On Thursday, May 3, after visiting the Church of the Beatitudes, we continued our stops at various spots along the Sea of Galilee.

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This was part of the ruins in Korazin and the buildings made from the black basalt stones of the area seemed to bear the burden of Christ's admonition (Matthew 11:20ff) for they had not repented even after experiencing many of Jesus' miracles.

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This was the synagogue in Capernaum where Peter's house (supposedly) is shielded by a futuristic church built over and above its ruins.

St. Peter's Fish

For lunch, we experienced St. Peter's fish cooked just like the Galilean fishermen would have, however, I seriously doubt that Peter had multi-lingual place mats.

Israel and US Flags,

After lunch, we took a sail on the Sea of Galilee as a small storm blew through dropping a little rain on our excursion. It made us think of the much more violent storm that Jesus calmed with his voice. The Israeli and US flags were raised as a tribute to our country and the fact that Israel strongly appreciates American support.