Wednesday, August 15, 2012

We arose at 5:30 this morning to catch the bus. To our amazement, when we left the hotel, our taxi driver from yesterday was waiting for us. He gave us a free ride to the bus station to meet our bus to Petra. We met a fellow American at the bus station, Philip. Philip graduated from University of Pennsylvania, and he was doing some traveling to get to know the Lord better. He found Christ in College, and like me, he was in CCC, or “CRU” as it is now called. We really enjoyed getting to know Philip and talking about the Lord with him. He will show up occasionally in our pictures, and will be wearing a red T-shirt that says, “PENN” across the front and sporting a Jordanian head covering. Exitign the As-Siq The treasury (note the Nabatean soldiers) This theater supposedly seated 6,000 people. It’s boring and hot out here in the sun Be sure to get a picture of my best side. This Bedouin girl enjoyed getting her picture taken and followed for some time. She even gave us a gift when we left. Massive temple excavated by Brown University. The Monastery, yes, we are standing in front of the door. From a lookout above the monastery. We sat on top of the lookout and read the Prophet Obadiah. He prophesied the doom of Edom (descendants of Esau) because they had participated with another country in the looting of Jerusalem. He particularly stressed their trust in their cliffs as their defense. Petra was located in the mountains of Edom and was a major city of the Edomites. The Nabateans (from Arabia) took the Edomite country in the first century B.C. They are the ones mostly responsible for the magnificent buildings. Herod the Great was an Idumean (Edomite). He spent some time fighting the Nabateans. We conquered the world. Playing an oud at the top of the world. Palace Tomb Light shining through a tomb window Where the light hits the wall This traveler is “Petrafied” from the day’s hike. We boarded the bus traveled back to the Hotel. I showered, finished packing, and headed for the airport. I finish this blog sitting in the Paris airport.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Tuesday, August 14, 2012 This morning after much deliberation as to mode of transportation, we hired a taxi and left for three different spots, Madeba, Mt. Nebo and Bethany beyond the Jordan. Although it is an ancient city that is even mentioned in the Bible, one hundred fifty years ago Madeba was just desert. Some Christians sought to colonize there. As they were digging for a foundation for a house, they struck the floor of a Byzantine Church. When they began to uncover it they found one of the largest mosaics ever found to that point in history. The map was a mosaic of the holy land from their time. One portion of the map is Jerusalem as it looked in the 6th century. Here is the Jerusalem portion of the map: The colonnade down the center is the Cardo, which has been partially found and restored and upon which we walked. Several other Byzantine buildings were found in Medeba each with intricate mosaics found on their floors. Leaving Medeba we drove up to Mt. Nebo. There we read the Scripture concerning Moses’ death and then walked out to the observation point. Here are some pictures from there. Leaving Nebo, we drove down to Bethany Beyond the Jordan. This site is on the Jordan River in a military zone. From the Six Day War in 1967 until 1993, it was closed to all activity. Only Jordan military was allowed there. In 1994 the military began clearing the fields of land mines. After three years of clearing the fields, it was opened to archeologists. A few years ago archeologists found what they believe is the site where John the Baptist baptized Jesus. A few churches have been given permission to build buildings there to venerate the site. To get to the site it is accessible only by private transportation (taxi for us) no public busses go there. Once you get to the parking area, you purchase a ticket and get on a park shuttle bus which will take you back into the park area. Looking out the bus window Jericho is a dark haze in the background. This is the site of the Children of Israel crossing the Jordan, Elijah’s chariot ride and probably Jesus’ baptism. We exited the bus and walked back to the archeological dig. The archeologist claimed that this was John the Baptist’s baptismal pool, and he gave some positive evidence for the claim. It was all logic based on what was found here and from Scripture and other writings. There was no hard evidence such as an inscription or something. In the foreground is John’s pool. We were allowed to walk on down to the Jordan River and touch the water. The Israeli park was just across the river from us. The archeologist made sure that we understood that while the Jordan is tiny now, it is because Israel has been diverting the water for its use. He said that in the last 50 years the average depth of the river had dropped 3 meters. He said that a hundred years ago the river could be up to a kilometer wide at it peak. Note: that is Israel in the background. We are in Jordan. The archeologist/guide was really rushing us through, partly because it was a military zone, and they had strict rules about how long anyone could stay, and partly because it was extremely HOT, and being Ramadan, he could not drink any water. We stopped enough along the way to take this picture under a tamarisk tree. The Bible mentions Abraham planting a tamarisk tree, and it has other mentions as well. It was time to head back. On the highway we saw this interesting sign. We didn’t have time to go there. Back at the New Park Hotel, looking out the balcony window, one can see the corner of the Citadel above. It is top center. We are looking east. Ruins of an old Ammonite palace are at the eastern end of the citadel. Well, off to sleep now, tomorrow we hope to be in Petra. When we return from Petra, I must head for the airport.

Monday, August 13, 2012

Monday, August 13, 2012 Once again we headed across the Hinnom Valley to the old city and then the temple mount. We did not realize that there is only one gate to the temple mount through which non-Islamic peoples may enter. So we had to back track a bit. We finally found the right entrance and found the line through the metal detectors was about an hour long. We passed the time by talking to others in the line. The guy next to us was a British airline pilot. It was his first time in Jerusalem and had a 24 hour layover. The line goes up this wooden caged ramp. In Jesus’ day this would have been the main entrance to the temple area from the west side. While walking up the ramp and looking to the left, one can see the “wailing wall.” Once through the gate, we found ourselves in front of the Al-akaz Mosque. It is the Mosque with the gray dome. Between this mosque and the Dome of the Rock, there is a courtyard with a grove of trees. We found a shady spot on this stone slab, had our quiet times and read Scripture related to the temple. First we read Genesis 22:1-24 about how the Lord instructed Abraham to take Isaac to the land of Moriah and sacrifice Isaac there. Then we turned to 2 Samuel 24 and read of David’s sacrifice on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. In so doing David stopped the continuance of the death angel’s march. Then we read 2 Chronicles 3:1 Now Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared to his father David, at the place that David had prepared on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. Both Abraham’s and David sacrifices performed significant sacrifices on Mount Moriah. Both are types of the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. All three happened somewhere on Mount Moriah. Most people think that the temple stood where the Dome of the Rock now is. A minority think it stood in this courtyard between the two mosques. Who knows, we could have been sitting near if not on the spot where the Temple Altar once sat. We read today in Psalm 43:3-4: 3 Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your tabernacle. 4 Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy; And on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God. The three “great religions” of the world vie for this area. The Jews have lost their temple and pray for its rebuilding. The “Christians” have filled the city with churches venerating what they think are significant happenings. The result is that the city is filled with icons and idols. The Muslims are all about ritual purity and their acts of righteousness through which they think can earn entrance into heaven. But God does not live in a tabernacle or temple made with human hands. He has made believers in Jesus to be living stones built up together as a spiritual temple. He dwells in us. The place that He would have made holy is our hearts. We are to present our bodies as living sacrifices to Him, not dead sacrifices. As our hearts become pure, He fills them with His love. It is a love that flows out to others. It does not demand a holy place other than our own hearts. Jerusalem must be the most religious place in the world. It is filled with Jews, Christians and Muslims, who are all enslaved in an idolatry that rots the soul. What is really needed is for each to come into a personal relationship with Jesus so that they can become that living stone which He designed them to be. May His love flow in and through us. We prayed for this news to flood the whole earth. After our quiet time, we arose and walked around the temple. Here is a picture of the Dome of the Rock. Here is the west side of the Eastern or Golden Gate. Strange thing but it seems nobody is ever around the Eastern gate on either side of it. After we ascended the steps from here we were promptly told that the 11:00 time had come and we must leave the Temple Mount by the nearest gate, and we were escorted to that gate. It was near the Lion Gate (NE corner of the city). That was on the opposite corner of of the City of where we needed to be. So we navigated our way back the crowded market streets of the city, down the slopes of the Hinnom Valley and up the other side to our car. We climbed in and began the drive back to Beth Shan to make our border crossing at 3:00. Our route took us through a tunnel under Mt. Scopus. When we emerged on the other side, I was struck with what a difference in landscape there was from the west side of Jerusalem to the east side. Here is how it looks on the east side. We drove by the Wadi Quilt, Jericho and Gilgal and finally back to Beth Shemesh. On the Jordan side we found that our arranged ride had broken down. So we hired a taxi and headed on in to Amman. We are back at the New Park Hotel. We made a quick trip up to the ancient Citadel, part of which is visible above us. Did I tell you that Amman is ancient Rabbah Ben-Ammon? That is the city that Joab was fighting when David had Joab arrange for Uriah to be murdered during the battle. Well, good night.

Sunday, August 12, 2002

This morning after breakfast we met with Judith Isaacson of Drive-Israel.com. Before I left the States I told her what my plans were for Israel. She took my plans and was able to make arrangements for us, planning the itinerary, reserving the hostels and hotels, reserving the rental car & Garmin, giving us some directions for travel to some places. She did a great job. If you ever want to have your own tour of Israel, I recommend her. After meeting with her, we headed out for the City of David National park. We walked the length of the Hinnom Valley. Here is we are overlooking the west end of the Hinnom Valley. to the foot of the City of David (Jebus, the old Jebusite city). We then headed north up Ma’lot Ir David Street, which took us straight to the City of David National Park. Here we are at the Southern end of the street. City of David National Park is up-hill to the left. Entering the park, we saw tons of great archeological work. One of the interesting ones at the beginning is the large structure. Archeologist Eliat Mizar thinks this complex of stone is part of King David’s Cedar Palace. Descending on down, we eventually entered the tunnel which Hezekiah had built to divert the water from the Gihon Spring to the Siloam Pool. Hezekiah knew that the Assyrians were coming to attack him and that it was strategic to get the water supply into the city. His men dug through solid rock a ditch that extended over a third of Mile long. We walked it! The tunnel empties into the Siloam Pool. The return trip was just as interesting. The first part back to the top is an archaeological tunnel that uncovered an old side walk which was used by the Jews in ceremonial processions from the temple and back. On up a way, the path switched from the sidewalk to a Roman sewer. Upon exiting the sewer, we attempted to access the Temple Mount, but it was closed. So, we went back to the Archeological Park, and spent the better part of the afternoon there. The Archeology of Israel is fascinating! We then strolled around the Old City for a while. We walked down the Cardo. The Cardo is a Street that Hadrian built after putting down the Bar Kokbah rebellion.

Saturday, August 11, 2012

It is Shabbat in Jerusalem. Actually for all intents and purposes it began yesterday at about 2:00. Everything began closing down then. We have been staying Southwest of the Old City. We walked across the Hinnom Valley, over the north end of the old City of David (south of the Temple Mount), down into the Kidron Valley, past Absalom’s monument and up to the foot of the Mount of Olives. There are several sites that claim to be the Garden of Gethsemane, but the most famous is run by the Franciscans. It was not opening until 2:00. So Jesse and I found a little coffee & sandwich shop and had a drink and toasted cheese sandwich. I asked the Owner if he was from here. He said that he was born and raised here. He claimed that his family had owned this land for 3,000 years. He produced some old photographs that went back as far as 100+ years ago and gave a chronology for his house and how they had sold land over the years to various churches that have built their church buildings and shrines all around him. He was a very interesting fellow. We had plenty of time to kill so we decided to walk up the mountain to the church of the Ascencion. Inside the chapel we read the Scripture from Acts 1 and prayed for the filling and power of the Holy Spirit. Here is a view from close by: Turning to the left one can also see the Herodian in the distance. Jesus would cross near this spot when traveling from Bethany to Jerusalem. Herod moved part of the mountain on the left in order to build the Herodian. The Dead Sea is to the left. The Herodian, a symbol of the world system which stands against the kingdom of God, was a moved mountain. The Rabbis used to teach that idols should be cast into the sea. The lesson of the withered fig tree occurred near this site on the Mount of Olives. It was a visual lesson that anything that is keeping us from establishing our role in the kingdom of God in our lives, we can speak to that in faith and see it removed. Lord, show me what idols are keeping me from fulfilling my role in your kingdom. We descended the Mount of Olives to the Franciscan site of the Garden of Gethsemane. There we read Matthew and John concerning Jesus’ struggle there and His arrest. Then we sat and prayed and enjoyed peaceful meditation. We traveled back through the Lion’s Gate to follow the Via Delorosa. I think we got pictures of each station of the cross. My favorite station was station #3. We visited the Lithostratos. It is the stone pavement which many believe was the pavement of the dungeon of Pilate where he had Jesus flogged and the soldier mocked him, gave Him a crown of thorns and brutally beat Him. We read the Scripture and thought upon it. We took a break from the Via Delorosa to visit the site of the Pool of Bethesda. Where Jesus healed the paralytic on the Sabbath. Since it is the Sabbath we sat and read about the event and pondered it. We then returned to the Via Delorosa. We got lost trying to get out of the Old City. Some police helped us find the way out. We had dinner in the Old City and walked home. Boy, am I beat!

Friday, August 10, 2012

We got up early this morning and hurried to our pick up point, the Jaffa gate. We were scheduled to leave at 8:30 with a guided tour of Bethlehem. Bethlehem is in Palestinian area, so we could only go there on a tour. Our tour bus was an hour and a half late in picking us up. Our first stop in Bethlehem was the shepherd’s field. It gave us an opportunity to see how shepherds lived in the Bethlehem area. If you have ever visited the “Holy Land”, or ever will, one thing you realize is that people have built church buildings on about every possible site, for just about every possible reason. Here is one of the shepherd’s caves. From the shepherd’s field we went to the Church of the Nativity. Then we went into the Milk Grotto. Apparently, there is some tradition that when Mary and Joseph were living in a cave (different from the one He was born in), a drop of her milk fell upon the floor and when it did, it turned the stone in the cave to white. Uh-huh. Then we went up on a ridge from which we could see the Herodium. We were dropped back off in Jerusalem at the Jaffa Gate. Jesse and I decided to do our own tour. We went to the Christian Information Center and obtained a few maps and some information. We had a cup of coffee together at a coffee shop and then began our tour. We went south down the Armenian Orthodox road, turned left at the City Wall and exited the old city at the Lion Gate. We walked by the Church of the Dormitian (where Mary is supposed to have entered her eternal rest) to David’s Tomb (reputedly). It was closed. So went to the Church of the Upper Room. There we read together the passage in John where Jesus shares His last supper with the disciples. Not far downhill from there is St. Peter of the Gallicantu (cock crow). It is a church that is located in Caiaphas’ housing complex. In the complex is a dungeon where it seems reasonable that Jesus was kept until Pilate could be awakened. Somewhere in that vicinity Jesus was tried and Peter denied Him. We read passage in Scripture where Jesus was tried and Caiaphas’ house and Peter denied the Lord. It was very moving to think on how the Lord so lovingly restored Peter when he had so strongly denied Him. I am guilty of the same, yet the Lord also loves me the same. In the courtyard, "I Tell you I don't know the man" We continued our walk down to the Dung Gate. Interestingly enough there is a sewer station near the Dung Gate and at that point at the station, it smells like Dung. Entering back into the temple mount area through the Dung Gate, we walked, to the Western Wailing Wall. Exiting the city through the Dung Gate we walked across the street to the City of David. The national park there was closed, but we got a little glimpse of the water works. Moving back to the outside of the city wall we continued walking around the wall to the East side and the edge of the Kidron Valley. We walked to the Golden Gate and read the account of the Triumphal Entry. We sat and pondered what it would have been like at that time. We also wondered, when the millennium comes, “What will Jesus have us do with all of these buildings? We continued our walk on up to the Lion’s Gate and entered the city again. Shabbat had started, so we could not enter the Temple Mount area. So we headed up Herod’s Ascent and exited the city via Herod’s Gate. Finding ourselves on the north side of the city we continued our trek around the city singing: Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised In the City of our God, in the mountain of His holiness Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth Is Mount Zion on the sides of the North, the City of the great King! Walking home in the dark, we got a little lost, but we eventually found our way.