On We Go!

Well, we’ve arrived in Jerusalem! We spent one night at the Dead Sea before coming here. It smelled suspiciously like home there. We went down to the beach and enjoyed a float before dinner.

We’ve been very busy every day, but it’s been worth it. We visited the place where they found the Dead Sea Scrolls and got a little history lesson. It’s amazing what they’ve found and are still finding there. We also visited Masada, which is where the Jewish Rebels took a last stand against the Roman soldiers in about 70 A.D.

Arriving in Jerusalem has been nice if only to stay in one place for a few days. We had a really nice communion service on the Mount of Olives one night and as much as I’m enjoying all of the sites, it is these quiet times that mean the most. We visited Bethlehem and spent some time in the church that has been built over the place they think Jesus was born. It’s loud and crowded with tourists jostling each other and pushing just to touch the place where the manger may have been and to take a picture of it. It’s difficult to think and reflect on the meaning of that event while you’re there.

We’ve visited the Temple Mount and the Wailing Wall. We also walked the Via Delorosa. We don’t know exactly where Jesus carried the cross and was crucified, but it is a traditional walk and something that can be very meaningful if you take the time to consider what it is you are remembering. Our guide, Micky, reminds us that we are the Temple of God and while visiting all of these “Holy Places” it is good to remember that we don’t worship a slab of rock or stone because the Holy Spirit lives in us. As we visit some of the traditional sites (traditional sites being where certain events are remembered and historical sites being where we know things actually occurred), I find myself very skeptical that one specific location could be “holy.” But then I remember that there really were Holy Places back in the days of Jesus. There was a specific place where God’s glory was. It makes me realize what an amazing work Jesus achieved with His death and resurrection...to make us a holy place where the spirit of God could dwell.

I think one of the most meaningful things we’ve done was at the Pool of Bethesda. No one else was there when we arrived and we went into the church where one of the men in our group sang How Great Thou Art. He has a beautiful, beautiful voice and the acoustics were incredible in there. After he sang, we all just sat there for a good 5-10 minutes, singing together and praying. With everything that we’ve been seeing, it was those minutes of silent reflection that make it worthwhile.

We got up early one morning to go to the tunnels underneath the Western Wall of Temple Mount. Because so much has been built up over the last 2000 years, the tunnels used to be streets and were probably where Jesus walked. After the tunnels we visited the Temple Institute, which is a group of people preparing to rebuild the temple. It is fascinating to see what they have done. They have all of the main vessels made exactly as they are described in the Bible and are ready to move as soon as they can. They believe that the Ark of the Covenant is underneath where the temple should be, but for obvious reasons cannot excavate there.

Following the institute, we had lunch and strolled around the area a bit before heading to the Israel Museum where we saw the Isaiah scrolls and a really neat model of Jerusalem from the times of Jesus. Our last two stops of the day were the Garden of Gethsemane and a lovely view of the city from the top of the Mount of Olives.

We are now preparing to leave. We’re done with our tour and now comes the time when we set off on our own. On the up-side, there will be more freedom, but on the down-side, we’ll have to arrange everything on our own.

Today we started out at the Garden Tomb, which is another possible burial place for Jesus. There are several reasons why this is a strong possibility, but as our guide reminded us, it doesn’t matter where. What matters is why.

We also saw the Holocost Museum, which was very moving and our last stop was Abraham’s Tent. We arrived at a location in the desert and were greeted by “Eleazar,” the servant of Abraham, who had come back in time 3800 years to find guests for his master. We put on tunics and walked (or rode camels) down the road before being met by Abraham and sitting at low tables for a traditional meal. "Abraham" has a few modern facilities, such as restrooms, and apparently knows all about Moses as well. I'll bet you didn't know that! Anyway, it was a really fun experience and a nice way to end our time in Israel.

Well, that's all for now! Next stop...Dublin...

P.S. By the way, these pictures are of Masada, the Dead Sea, Pools of Bethesda, Temple Mount, and the southern wall of what once was the temple!