Journey’s End Has Arrived

Two weeks ago we set off on a grand journey. Today it comes to an end. We return to Israel and fly out of Tel Aviv late tonight. We have enjoyed the sites, and have been awed and inspired. We have strengthened existing friendships, made new ones, and shared unforgettable experiences. It will take some time to process all we’ve learned and experienced. But we have been changed by this land and its people.

Never again will we hear news of this region and be indifferent. Never again will be hear of consultations and diplomatic pronouncements without thinking of the homes we have been in, the people we’ve met, or the awe inspiring power of the land.

May God bring peace in our time, and may we, to the extent we have been changed by our travels, be instruments of that peace in our homes, our communities, and our world. Salaam, Shalom, Peace!

Mt. Nebo

Moses, after all the struggle of getting a generation of people through the desert wanderings and hostile kingdoms, never made it to the Promised Land. God allowed Moses to see the view from Mt. Nebo, a spectacular vista that revealed fertile valleys and endless possibilities, but it was Joshua who led the Hebrews into their dream. Moses died and was buried somewhere unknown. His staff stands as a memorial to all who, standing on the edge between past and future, can’t help but wonder where God is leading the people of the countries seen here. Still beleaguered by conflicts and ancient hatreds, hope seems hard to find. But, since God did lead Moses and Joshua and countless leaders since, perhaps God can still lead us today. Jesus believed so. May it be so for us.

Ma’dabā (or Medeba in the OT)

Near Mt. Nebo, this ancient city is best known today for the mosaic map of Jerusalem now found of in the floor of a church built to enclose it. This map, the oldest known map of the Holy Land, is incomplete but still shows detail that would have been essential knowledge for pilgrims to the Holy Land.

Petra

Anyone who has seen Indiana Jones and the Search for the Holy Grail will know of Petra even in they don’t know the name. Recently named as one of the Seven Modern Wonders of the World, Petra, today in southwest Jordan, was known as Seir (and Sela) in the Old Testament (Genesis 32:3ff). The ancient Nabataeans built a whole civilization by carving structures into the sandstone cliffs. With only one entrance and easily defended Petra survived for centuries until the Romans annexed it in 106 CE and the Crusaders invaded it in the 12th century. Remaining hidden to the world until 1812 Petra is now one of the top tourist destinations in the world.

Jerash

Surviving in some measure until the 12th century CE, this Greco-Roman city is sometimes called the Pompeii of the Middle East. An extensive urban center in its day, Jerash is an amazing site that reveals the sophistication of design and function that belies our prejudice that only moderns are advanced in engineering and design. Sewer systems, shopping complexes, overpasses, they had it all. Makes you wonder what they will be saying about our cities in a thousand years!

Wrestling with God

When Jacob was about to be reunited with his estranged brother, Esau (Gen 32:22-32), Jacob spent the night by the stream called Jabbok. All night he wrestled with an unnamed man. When morning came Jacob would not let the man go until he received a blessing. What he received was the new name “Israel” which he carried into the meeting with his brother, into the promised land, and into history. The place, which may have looked something like this site on the modern day Jabbock, was called Peniel, which means “face to face with God.”

From Israel-West Bank to Jordan

Today we finish our travels in Israel and the West Bank and travel across the border to Jordan. We cross the border at the Allenby Bridge near Jericho. Once through the border we ascend toward Amman, capital of Jordan. This is the first time for all of us in Jordan. Iraq is 650 miles away—which seems a little threatening, but Jordan is at peace with Israel and is known as a safe country. In addition to our new guide and driver (required) also joining us was a Tourist Police officer just to make sure that everything goes well.

Farewell to Seven and Prayers for One

The Israel-West Bank portion of our trip is over. Tonight we bid farewell to two of our Florida travelers who are heading on to Egypt. Two more from Florida and three from NC return to the US as well. We have made lasting friends. Though we didn’t know most of them when we began, now they are “family.” Traveling together on a small portion of life’s journey can be a powerfully bonding experience.

Apart from walking many miles together, we share in prayers for one of our number. The tour host from Florida traveling with the four, was called back to the US early in the trip because her husband had been hospitalized. Along the way we were informed that the situation is dire. Her husband had had a stroke as a likely result of brain cancer and his remaining days are limited. So we prayed and we pray for her and her husband and family at this difficult time.

Dear Jesus (2007)

Nazareth was hard for me
Until I saw a young boy
Swinging in a field
And imagined him to be you
Playing there as a child

Bethlehem was beautiful
With purple and red bougainvillea
And colors of sunset,
But the moon was full
As we entered Cana
Where Mary hosted a party
And you changed water into wine
People still come to Cana for weddings
And to renew their vows.

—Becca

Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem

Please!

The Garden Tomb

In a site just a few blocks from the Damascus Gate just outside the Old City is another place regarded as the crucifixion and burial site for Jesus. Discovered within the last 150 years this location is a pilgrimage destination for Christians worldwide. The rock cliff overlooking a bustling bus station looks remarkably like a skull. Excavations later revealed the existence of a garden and tomb of a rich man from the first century in Jesus’ time. Was it here or there? It doesn’t matter, really. For a sign on the door to the empty tomb says it. “He is not here. He is risen.”

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre

This church dates back to the 4th century and today is shared by Roman Catholics and Greek Orthodox. It is considered by many Christians to be the holiest place in Christendom — containing both the hill of Golgotha where Jesus was buried and the tomb where he was buried. Candles and icons surround the site of Jesus’ crucifixion. Behind the Orthodox tomb of Jesus is a chamber that some believe is a more credible location for his burial.

The Old City of Jerusalem

Traveling through the Old City of Jerusalem you are met by a cacophony of sights and sounds. Merchants ply their goods in every scrap of space. As in any crowed city you have to watch out for pickpockets but otherwise we roamed (and shopped!) the streets in safety. One of our travelers even gets up early each morning and comes here for a start-of-the-day walk.

The Pool at Bethesda

Next to the Temple Mount huge cisterns collected water for Jerusalem and provided medicinal baths. John 5:1-18 tells of a man waiting to be healed there but he had no one to place him in the waters. Jesus told him to “take up his mat and walk” and he did.

Muslim Children

Several groups of Muslim children were taking “field trips” today. These young boys were more than happy to pose for a picture by this tourist.

The Dome of the Rock

Several hundred feet from the holiest site in Judaism is the third holiest site in Islam — the Dome of the Rock. This active mosque, first built in the 7th century CE, is placed over the rock where tradition located the intended sacrifice by Abraham of his son — Issac in the Old Testament, Ishmael in the Koran. Its gold covered dome was refurbished in the 1970 by King Hussein of Jordan.

The Western Wall

Considered the holiest site in Judaism the Western Wall is the only remains of the Third Temple build by Herod the Great in the time of Jesus and later destroyed in 70 CE. Observant Jews come to the wall to pray. There are separate sections for men and women.

Davidson Center Archeological Excavation

At the southern end of the Temple Mount below the Al-Aqsa Mosque is an active archeological dig. In the foreground left you can see some of the large stones that made up the foundation of the walls of the Temple destroyed by Rome in 70 CE. In the background are Orthodox Jewish graves on the side of the Mount of Olives.

The Jerusalem Cross (revisited) (revisited)

The Jerusalem Cross is made up of five crosses representing the central gospel of Jesus Christ spread to the four corners of the world and the five wounds of Jesus—hands, feet, and side.

The Sabeel Liberation Theology Center

Cedar Duaybis, one of the center’s staff, tells the group about the center’s work as she weaves the Center’s history around her personal history as a Palestinian Christian. For most all Palestinians, uprooted from their land and homes, the pressing issue is not revenge or retribution, but justice. This center provides them advocacy and a theological voice.

Our Transportation Awaits

Our transportation across the dessert finally arrived as we waited by the roadside. The camel is smart enough to find water if the rider will just let the camel take the lead. Sure beats walking!!!

The Walls of Jericho

In the Old Testament story, Joshua and his army surrounded the city of Jericho, blew trumpets, and the wall came tumbling down. Directly beneath the sign you can see horizontal layers of bricks that made up the ancient walls of Jericho.

Zacchaeus’s Sycamore Tree

In the middle of the modern downtown Jericho is a large sycamore tree. Tradition says that this is the tree that the Chief Tax Colletor, Zacchaeus, wanted so much to see Jesus that he climbed up such a tree. For whatever reasons, Jesus picked out Zacchaeus and went home with him. That encounter changed Zacchaeus’ life. Where do we find a sycamore tree?

The “stupid camel”

High on the hill above one of the caves of Qumran is a rough rock statue of a camel. When a Bedouin shepherd boy discovered the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1948 the first one was sold for something like $10. Later, when the significance of the find was realized, his Bedouin family mocked the boy’s “stupidity” by creating a memorial camel on the hills of Qumran.

Desert Inns, Samaritans, and the Valley of the Shadow of Death

In the Judean wilderness the rugged terrain made for a two day journey between Jerusalem and Jericho. Besides the possibility of robbers, a careless misstep could easily result in a lethal fall. Here, St. George’s monastery sits on the ancient road from Jerusalem to Jericho perched above what tradition calls the Valley of the Shadow of Death where King David is said to have written the 23rd Psalm. In one of Jesus’ parables a Samaritan, despised by the Jews, finds a beaten, almost dead man and takes him to a desert inn for care and keeping, challenging the conventional notion of neighbor.

The Jerusalem Cross (revisited)

The Jerusalem Cross is made up of five crosses representing the four gospels and the five wounds of Jesus’ from his crucifixion.

Stay tuned for the next authoritative explanation this symbol rich in meaning.

Holocaust Memorial

No photographs were permitted in this memorial exhibit.

To take our own photos, howerver artistically conceived, of what is there would never do honor to the actual memories etched on film and paper and on the hearts and minds of survivors and their offspring. The official theme of the memorial is "Remembering the Past, Shaping the Future."

May all people of every race and culture join in the human vow: never again!

Our group resting…

Enough said.

The Upper Room

In this darkened room built on the site where it is thought Jesus and the disciples gathered for the Last Supper and tradition has it they were gathered for the day of Pentecost we listened to the Scriptures tell of the blessing of the Holy Spirit and sang “Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me…”

The Jerusalem Cross

This is a non-denominational cross signifying, in the crusades, the five nations that sought to reclaim Jerusalem—France, England, Germany, Italy, and Spain.

The Chapel of Dominus Flavit

When Jesus looked over the city of Jerusalem spread out before him as before us, he wept in lament for a people for whom peace was not a reality. Like a hen gathers her children under her wings, says Jesus, so he desires the safety and protection of all of God’s people.

Mount of Olives and Palm Sunday Path

Beginning at the top of the Mount of Olives we made our way down the Palm Sunday path that Jesus walked. Beside the spectacular views of the Old City of Jerusalem we passed thousands of Jesus crypts. Like the Muslim and Christian faithful buried in other nearby areas, these remains await the coming day of God’s reign.

Princess Basma Center

Situated in the Arab section of Jerusalem, this rehabilitation center named after the sister of King Hussein of Jordan, provides much needed services to the Arab population. Our guide was delightful Palestinian who had spent several years in Texas. We saw a caring staff working with children with Cystic Fybrosis and congenital hearing loss requiring a cochlear transplant and many other conditions. Like children most everywhere they loved posing for the cameras.

Garden of Gethsemane

The current garden has trees hundred of years old. The word gethsemane means olive press. But, in the Christian tradition it means much more. On the night Jesus was betrayed he prayed underneath olive trees like these while his disciples slept. Seeing these gnarled trees in this beautiful garden can’t help but make you wonder would I have been any more faithful?
Hunter Roddey reads the passage to the group.