Day 4 – February 18th
On Saturday morning we were up and out early. Worship was a blast! It was based on the theme: “The Presence of God”. Part of the focus was on Psalm 27. I praise God for Pastor Dave Schwinghammer who, along with his trusty acoustic guitar, has been leading out in worship every morning and evening, and at all the other moments in between. He led out in singing: “All That I Am Is Yours”, “Amazing Love How Can It Be”, and “Indescribable”.
On the road we were, off to our first stop, MT. Tabor, the place where Jesus was transfigured (Matthew 17:2). Below this mountain is the town of Cana of Galilee. This mountain is so high (500 meters above sea level) that, at a strategic point, because buses couldn’t go further, we were dropped off so that a smaller vehicle could take us to the top. It took the taxi another 10 minutes to get there. I could truly understand why the disciples had a difficult time staying awake that night once they reached the pinnacle of that mount (Luke 9:32). A Franciscan Church was built to commemorate the place where Jesus took his 3 trusted, inner-circle disciples (Peter, James, John). As there were many visitors making the trek to the same place, we entered the church, but moved to one of the three chapels named after the 3 luminaries in that moment of transfiguration: Jesus, Moses, Elijah. The chapel in question was dedicated to Moses. There we read from the scriptures and sang: “Worthy, Worthy is the Lamb!” and “I Surrender All”.
Mt. Tabor forms one side of a valley. On the other side is Mt. Hermon, part of what is called the Jordanian Range. Between these two mountains is a vast space of land called the Valley of Jezreel. By the way, as you stand on Mt. Tabor, you could see to your left Mt. Gilboa and, to the right, you could see Mt. Carmel. Nonetheless, this is no typical valley. This is the valley where the town of Nain is located (Luke 7). Megiddo is located there as well (Judges 5). However, the valley is one where many battles were fought. Gideon selected 300 men in this valley (Judges 7). East of the valley, the Philistines fought Israel and King Saul and his sons were killed in this valley (1 Samuel 31). Naboth was killed because of his vineyard in this valley (1 Kings 21). King Ahab was killed in this valley (1 Kings 22). Even King Josiah was killed in this valley (2 Chronicles 35). As we descended Tabor, we were contemplating all these details when Pastor Allen Chichester concluded: “This is really the Valley of Blood.”
On the road we were heading to another site; this time, we were on our way to Cana of Galilee, a town just north of Galilee, where Jesus performed his first recorded miracle at a wedding (John 2). Today, it is an Israeli/Arab town where Jews and Arabs live in relative peace. It took us 40 minutes from Tabor. A church was built to commemorate the place in question. There we went downstairs to view the spot. We viewed a well, stone-carved, for the storage of water, in the basement, which was requisite for all homes to have for survival during the time of Christ up until 150 years ago. Here, we had yet another worship service. What struck me most was the dynamic message by Pastor Mansfield Edwards (President, Ontario Conference). In reflecting what took place when Jesus and disciples came down from the Mt. of Transfiguration, as we did moments before, he spoke of the disciples’ lack of faith why they could not heal a young boy (Matthew 18). There were some lessons I learned from that devotional: 1) we can’t live by virtue of past achievements; 2) we must be careful of the goals we pursue with desired outcomes, and 3) we must minister as servants of God by faith in the Master. Interestingly, after viewing this site, two weddings were about to begin in the chapel of that church.
On the road we were again heading to another site; this time to the town of Nazareth. Today, this town, too, is Israeli/Arabian and is the largest of such towns in Israel. The meaning of the word, Nazareth, is offspring. The meaning is fitting, for Nazareth was where, as you know, Jesus was raised by both Joseph and Mary, offspring of Jesse of the tribe of Judah. The Basilica of Annunciation is the church dedicated to commemorate the site where Angel Gabriel announced to Mary the birth of Jesus (Luke 1). Pastor Edwards once again reflecting on this occasion of note said in essence that, Jesus, who was born was wrapped in swaddling cloths; cloths made specifically to wrap the dead. The message of his coming: Jesus was born to die. We sang after that message: “Angels We Have Heard on High”, and interestingly enough, Pastor Jesse Annunciation prayed to close.
But the highlight for me on Saturday, near the setting of sun, was the journey to the city of Jerusalem, to some the city of peace and to others the city of God. From Tel Aviv last week we headed north to the Galilean region along the seacoast on the west of Israel. This time we headed south along the Israeli/Jordanian border on the east of the same. Jordan stretches approximately 400 km with Israel. With Galilee behind us, mostly in the northern regions, you could see the green, rolling hills, and on them, you could see shepherds tending to their sheep. You could see the deep gullies and valleys of ill report. All along the highway, you could see the border fence between Israel and Jordan. The fence is quite sensitive. I wouldn’t advise anyone to touch it. You will then see fields of grape farms and date farms. For miles you could see these fields in the desert because Israel farmers have discovered how to farm various fruits and vegetable in dry soil and arid weather.
But as you journey further to the south, you will see more of the desert of Samaria. It is very dry. Just as you cross over from Samaria to Judea, you will see some farming areas, apparently, used first by Jordanians in 1967, but then turned over to Israel eventually. Further south, you could see the northern edges of the Dead Sea. We’ll visit this on Monday. We come to the entrance to the city of Jericho. However, we are prohibited from entering in, because it’s controlled by Palestinian Authority. Undaunted, we make our way further south and, within a few minutes, we view the place where the Israelites crossed over the Jordan to conquer Jericho (Joshua 3). It is also the close to the place in the Jordan where it is believed Jesus was baptized by John, the Baptist (Matthew 3).
As we pass the Jordan area, we make our way west into the city. Yet, the city wasn’t so easy to get to. The bus took what seemed like 30 minutes to climb one of the longest, but winding highways I have ever witnessed into the city of Jerusalem. The city is approximately 750 meters above sea level. I had no idea that Jerusalem was on such a high elevation. With a population of 780,000 (250,000 of which are Arabs), Jerusalem is set on a high hill to have a strategic advantage. This was obviously by God’s design. Here’s what the Psalmist said about that strategic advantage: “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people from this time forth and forever” (Psalm 125:1, 2).
I have an improved appreciation for the psalmist David and his words when he said: “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go into the house of the Lord...’ Where the tribes go up…to give thanks to the Lord.” (Psalm 122:1, 4) As the bus slowly, but deliberately made its ascent into the city of Jerusalem, someone came up with the idea to play over the system the song: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem.” And as the song made its grand finale, we were reminded that there is still a New Jerusalem we all look forward to, whose builder and maker is God (Hebrews 11).
So there you have it… Four days have passed and the last one packed into one blog post, whereupon I break my promise that each post won’t be too long. I pray that the little I have been able to share encourages you and strengthens your faith in your walk with Christ. I wish you God’s awesome favour this week. Still more to come!
Blessings,
Pastor John
Thank you, for the editorials. I am enjoying the holy land through your writing.
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