Back to Jerusalem

Today we headed back to Jerusalem. We have covered lots of miles today. We started out at Megiddo. Tel Megiddo is an amazing place. A tel is a man made mound that is added layer upon layer. A city would be destroyed and another city would be built upon it, over and over and over until you literally see this large hill of civilization upon civilization. At Megiddo there is a visitor center that has an amazing map of the ancient borders of Israel. It is very insightful to see how far the ancient border that God promised Israel extended. Tel Megiddo is one of the oldest digs in the world. At one point our guide showed us a Canaanite temple that seemed to pre-date Israel in the land. It is unreal how many civilizations are represented at the tel. Here you also see things from Solomon's time period. The gate of the city was so important to a city's defense system. You get a chance to see an ancient gate here and it is fascinating to know it came from the time period of King Solomon. Another interesting thing at Megiddo was a tunnel that led to the spring for the water supply. It dates all the way back to the time of King Ahab. Looking out from Megiddo you see an incredibly large valley. This is known as the Jezreel Valley. This is where we see biblical Armageddon. This valley is 70 miles long and 14 miles wide making up over 1,000 square miles. Napolean called this the greatest battleground in the world. This is the same battlefield that General Allenby of Britain turned back the Turks in 1917. This will be the staging ground of the greatest battle that will ever take place in human history. We learn from the Revelation 14:17-20 that the blood from this battle will flow as high as the horses bridle. What a reminder. Standing there reflecting on Christ returning with His church to the scene of this great battle is sobering.

Here is the ancient map of the Holy Land

Here is a description of the city gate

Scott didn't get much sleep. He had a hard time paying attention as the day got going.

Here is the outer gate

Jezreel Valley- Where the staging campaign for Armageddon starts

Underground Water supply

From Megiddo we headed over to BethShean. This is the greatest dig in all of Israel and is one of the most impressive in the world. Here you are literally walking around 21 different civilizations. We had about 40 minutes to explore here and me and Scott went to the top of the Tel. We were close to needing emergency aid. At the top of the Tel you look over all of the Roman period that has been excavated and way in the background there was a modern day Mcdonalds. It was pretty funny. I would have paid lots of sheckles for a big mac and a diet coke. I think Scott would have taken money from his 401k for a supersize diet coke at that point.

Ancient Theater

One of our guides- Amnon

Ancient Roman Road

We are so tired we can't think

We then began heading for Jerusalem. We stopped off near Jericho at a lookout point over the Judean Wilderness. This is one of my favorite places in Israel. As you look out at this point you see a wadi down in the bottom of the desert. This was the route that people would have taken from Jericho into Jerusalem. Luke's gospel records that on His way to the week of the passion Christ went to Jericho and healed blind Bartimaeus, and then called down Zaccheus from a tree and visited his home. He would have then most likely taken this route on His way towards Jerusalem. On a clear day you can see three towers from this lookout point. The towers are located on the Mount of Olives. Going through the wadi would lead you up to Bethany and then over the hill you would arrive at the Mount of Olives. Christ was heading from this point to the cross. He was going to fulfill what He came to do, to die for you and me.

Behind us is the Wadi Kelt- which was road to Jerusalem

We then finished up our drive to the hotel for a quick stop and then got back on the buses to go to a Seder meal recapturing what the Passover meal with Jesus and His disciples would have looked like.

What a day. Some amazing archaeological sites today. You know, James says that life is a vapor. I am the worlds worst at getting caught up into meaningless, temporal things. As we were making our way back to the entrance of Beth Shean today we were getting ready to exit near the old Roman theater. An older gentleman in our group reminded me of something very simple yet very profound. He pointed out that in spite of the power and authority of all these previous civilizations it was now just a bunch of ruins. His statement hit me pretty hard. What are we really living for? Every one of those previous 21 civilizations at Beth Shean contained individuals that focused more on the temporal than the eternal. Many probably saw themselves as pretty much invincible, yet now they are just one of many civilizations that lays in the rubble. The only thing that will remain are those things that are truly eternal. Everything else will just fall away and be forgotten. As I sit here tonight ready to go to bed I pray by God's grace I will live the rest of the time that God gives me on this earth for His glory and not my own. Good night from Jerusalem!

Exploring The Galilee

Today we went all around the Galilee.  We started by going south and came up around the eastern side of the lake.  We went towards the Golan Heights.  If there is one thing that shocks you typically when you first come to Israel is how mountainous and lush the Galilee really is. 

In this picture you can see into Jordan.  If you look close you can see the fence border.

Here you see a bunker that Israel once used for protection against Jordan

Here you are looking at the United Nations post on the Syrian border of Israel (I thought it was funny that the guide called it the United Nothing :)   )

As you go up into this area you gain a perspective of how Israel truly is surrounded by its Arab neighbors.  To the east you have Jordan, to the northeast you have Syria and to the north west Lebannon.  It allows you to understand why Israel is never interested in negotiating the Golan Heights.  If they were to give it away they would definitely be putting their own security at risk.  We went to one high point in the Golan where we could see the mountians of Gilead, Moab, and see the general direction of where they eventually run into Edom.  It really brings the Old Testament to life in such a neat way.  It brought back memories of studying through Amos and reading about the judgement that Amos pronounced on the north western neighbors of Israel.  We were looking right in that direction. 

We received a great lesson on some of the recent wars that Israel has taken part in.  Our bus guide Amnon went through the amazing story of the Yom Kippur war of 1973 when Israel was attacked on the Day of Atonement.  Driving by the very places this took place, hearing someone who actually fought in the war was incredibly interesting.

From there we headed to Caesarea Philippi.  This place is located up almost at the Syrian border.

This place is also known as Banias.  It is incredibly lush.  If you go on some trails you really get a sense of how beautiful this place really is.  This is the place where Jesus asked Peter the famous question, "Who do men say that I am?" 

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi he was asking his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"  And they said some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.  He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"  Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God".  Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in Heaven.  I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell will not overpower it." (Matthew 16.13-18)

In an area where there was pagan idolotry Jesus chooses to ask this question.  In the midst of all these pagan temples, Jesus wants His disciples to know that the gates of Hell will not overpower it.  In many ways the gates of Hell were represented all around Him, yet He wanted them to know the power of His Kingdom over darkness. 

Here are some pictures of the pagan temples:

As you keep reading from Matthew 16 you don't see Jesus leaving for another place until it states that He went back to Capernaum.  What is very interesting is that one of the events that takes place in between this stop and His departure for Capernaum is the Transfiguration.  Tradition places the Transiguration on Mount Tabor which is a good ways off.  If you just focus on the text it would appear that Jesus was near Caesarea Philippi when He transfigured.  If that is the case it might have very well been somewhere in the area of Caesarea Phillipi or somewhere on the Mount Hermon range. 

We then headed to Capernaum.  There were more miracles done here than any other place.  Yet we see in Matthew 11.23-24 that Jesus condemned Capernaum due to her unbelief.  We went into the synagogue.  While it is a 3rd or 4th century synagogue, it is built on the foundation of the synagogue of Jesus.   Amazing to be standing in the same area Jesus healed and taught.  Here are some pictures of Capernaum:

Here is the synagogue.  Jesus cast out a demon here in Mark 1:21-26

Here is the one and only Scott Parr standing in the synagogue.

Here are some archaeological finds of homes in Capernaum

Many archaeologist believe this is the house of Peter's mother in law.  We read in Mark 1 that Jesus healed her.

To finish the day we took a ride on the Sea of Galilee.  It is such a neat experience just to be on the lake.  Today it was very calm and peaceful.  We went over and looked at the general direction of what many feel is the Mount of Beatitudes and also at the area that could possibly be Bethsaida.  

Scott is extremely proud of this next picture.  He keeps talking about it.

It was a great day.  I am exhausted.  Good night from the Sea of Galilee!

Shabbat Shalom!

Alright, we made it through day 2.  Today was another great day.  The food here is suprisingly good.  Dessert was pretty awesome- they have these things that look like brownies that taste like dark chocolate.  I know you are thinking why are you writing about brownies, but if you had experienced them you would understand.

Today we started out at the Holocaust Museum, Yad Vashem.  This is a really emotional place to visit.  If you ever questioned the depravity of man this would be a horrific reminder. We started out in the Childrens' Memorial.  You walk into this dark area with names of children continuously called out.  The guide said that it takes 3 years for every child that is documented to be read aloud.  Seeing the kids faces on the wall as the names are read gives you an  incredible sense of grief.  The main part of the museum is designed in a unique way to demonstrate the immense trial and difficulty the Jews endured.  Even the floors are not straight making it difficult to walk correctly.  Throughout the museum there is video testimonials of individuals who went through the agonizing suffering.  As you wind through making it to the end you look out and see how modern day Israel is thriving today.  It is an amazing testimony to the faithfulness of God.

From there we went over to the Shrine of the Book.

This place is unreal.  This place houses one of the greatest archaelogical finds of all time.  This is where you have many of the Dead Sea Scrolls.  These scrolls were found in an area down by the Dead Sea known as Qumran.  In Qumran there was an eccentric group of people that lived there known as the Essenes.  The Essenes desired a higher spiritual life and a removal from the secular and worldly.  They developed this community and focused on a life of seperation and purity.  Many of their writings are found here along with the copies found at Qumran of almost every Old Testament book.  One of the really cool things to look at is a copy of the entire book of Isaiah.  This absolutely verifies the authenticity of the book.  Scott and I were talking how amazing it is that the book that was found it its entirety is one of the clearest of all prophetic books pointing to Jesus as the Messiah.  In fact in some of these very books that were found contain the prophetic writings that prophesy of the Jews one day returning to the land.  Although in many ways this is yet to be completely fulfilled, you can't but help see that the very reason we are visiting this land is due to the faithfulness of God keeping His promise.

From the Shrine of the Book we went over to the Knesset.  This is Israel's parliment building. 

Across from this is a giant Menorah.  This was given to Israel by the Britains' in welcoming them to the League of Nations.

We then went over to this giant replica of Jerusalem from the second temple era (the time of Jesus).  This place gives you a great perspective of where things happened in biblical times.  It was a great overview of where things are located before we begin to visit many of these sites.

We then went over to an overlook of Jerusalem.  What is really amazing is that the golden top building known as the Dome of the Rock is where the temple stood.  It gives you chills thinking of the amazing history of what you are looking at. 

Then as we closed out the day we headed over to the wailing wall.  I had totally forgotten what time of the day it was.  It was Friday and getting close to sundown.  What this meant is that Shabbat or Sabbath was quickly approaching.  The wailing wall is of such great importance to all religious jews.  It is the closest place that they can get to the original Holy of Holies.  The excitement and anticipation in the air was breathtaking.  People began to rush to the wailing wall in excitement of Shabbat. 

We couldn't get any pictures by the wall due to it being Shabbat.   There seemed like thousands of people there.  The guys in our group went down to the wall.  I wish you could have seen us with our head coverings.  Scott's was unbelievable.   As you entered into this area there were orthodox jews everywhere.  We went down into the synagogue where they were praying.  Then as we came out and stood there watching people give their prayers and reading the Torah we began to hear a loud commotion.  Looking back there was what seemed like 100 Yeshiva students arm in arm singing and dancing coming into the area.  It was a really amazing scene. 

Well, that is about it.  Tomorrow we head to the Galilee.  Here it is now officially Shabbat.  In Israel approaching and during Sabbath you are supposed to say, "Shabbat Shalom".  So "Shabbat Shalom yall".  Have a great night!

Spiritual Deadness

Alright, believe it or not we are in Jerusalem. 

It was a grueling trip.  I had a picture of Scott sleeping on the plane, but I know to everyones dissapointment he deleted it. 
I am so tired it is ridiculous.  It is about 11:15 p.m. in Jerusalem and I am about to go to bed but tomorrow night I hope to have some pictures ready to rock and roll.  Today was an interesting day.  I was able to get a exit row, which may not mean much to some but if you are taller than 6 foot 3 you understand the joy in knowing that.  As I sat down overjoyed at my leg room I realized my two travel companions were going to be orthodox jews.  The orthodox jew.  I have always been fascinated with the religious jew and how they thought and how they lived.  Immediately they began their readings from the Torah.  One of the mans names was Abraham.  I  could never understand the other guys name.  Abraham seemed irritated talking to me right away.  He asked me why I even wanted to go to Israel.  Once I told him I was a follower of Jesus he told me that I should have travelled to the Vatican in Rome.  This was about as far as our discussion ever went on spiritual matters, but what I observed over the next 9 hours or so was heartbreaking.  I witnessed the prayers, the discussion, the Torah, the prayer shawl, the tefillin, and alot of religious deadness.  It broke my heart.  At one point I managed to fall asleep just to wake at one of their prayer times.  I was on the front row of my section and I looked up and around 6 or 7 orthodox jews had gathered around me doing what they would define as worship. I sat there quietly amidst the prayers and the commotion, privately thanking God that by His grace I am His child.  In reflecting on what Christ has accomplished on the cross and on what He has done in my life it made the scene in front of me even more tragic.  Men who were steeped in their religious activity but spiritually dead.  As I sat there and prayed, it reminded me of why God accepts my worship.  It has nothing to do with Steve, but is rooted in what Christ has accomplished for me at the cross by grace through faith.

Trip to Israel