Lances Journal - Page Two

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There is a tremendous flood of anticipation about today. Today we view the Garden of Gethsemane, The Western (Wailing) Wall, The Via Dolorosa, Caiaphas Palace, and the Garden Tomb. It's Friday. Sabbath begins today at sundown. What a glorious day to be walking today where Christ walked on the journey that would result in my salvation.

Our visit to the Garden of Gethsemane includes a visit inside the cathedral built to mark the traditional spot where Christ prayed. Many wanted to touch the rock. I did not need to place my hands on "the" (?) rock where Jesus prayed. I have touched and been touched by my faith and the faith of others. Even today as walked where Jesus must have walked, I for some reason am able to express joy and praise to God so clearly. Not as I write these words, but rather as I lift my heart in prayer.

With a joyful heart, we're back on the bus and off to the Dung Gate. Through this oddly named arch we approach the Western Wall, the Jew's Wailing Wall. With covered head, I approach and enter the area set aside for men. I've always felt I could pray and be heard anywhere, but there is a special longing in my heart to pray in this place. The stones are cold to my touch, but my spirit warms as I focus on talking with God. My prayers at the wall were the simple "groanings" Paul describes in Romans, prayers for my family, forgiveness, and guidance, but my prayers are filled also with praise for His grace! Is there such a thing as a tear shed because one is so in awe?

Leaving the Wall we head through the narrow streets of Jerusalem to begin the walk along the Via Dolorosa. I left two pages in this journal to write about the "stages of the cross," but as an evangelical Christian, I am put off by the formal "iconization" of the religions who have constructed gaudy structures over the "sites" of Christ suffering.

I know that no one truly knows the exact location of many of the places of the events in the Bible. Just being in the vicinity is about as accurate as one can be. I also know I should be thankful that the religious organizations of the world have preserved the locations through these memorials, but, Oh, how I long for a glimpse of an unadulterated sacred site. Fact is though, He doesn't want us to worship sites! He wants us to glorify HIM!

The most important part of this scene to me was the crowds, shopkeepers, and press of people, ebbing and flowing through the very narrow streets. It was on a day of preparation for the Sabbath, like today, that He was led through these streets. Just another day in Jerusalem to the crowds, a criminal being taken to punishment would not have been even noticed by most anymore than I was. He was just as forgettable as anyone of us walking through the crowded market.

But He is NOT forgotten! These structures, holy lamps, and man-made icons will all pass away, but THAT moment, THOSE minutes struggling with the cross through these crowded dirty streets and his death and resurrection, are the guarantee of MY eternity!

It's been a long day, but ends with a journey to the Garden Tomb, one of the sites believed to have been Calvary and the site of Christ's burial. As opposed to the traditional site of Calvary, the Garden Tomb is a chance to experience an environment as it might have been on that day 2000 years ago.

Oddly, though, sitting by the bus terminal for a short lecture, staring at what may be "Golgotha", the noise and fumes were a distraction. Was Christ crucified at the top of that hill? or down by the road as was the custom of the Romans? In either case, 2000 years ago there was no beauty in the scene. Messy, noisy, irreverent, just like the scene is today. The mocking, the casting of lots, the bustle of everyday life around this defining moment in the lives of all men. How bizarre almost! But how fitting! What a contrast!

The garden, the "skull" cliff, the tomb, all as they seemingly were that Resurrection morning. Was this the precise location of the cross? was this the tomb? Probably, but it doesn't matter - both tombs are empty! He is risen!

After a short lecture about the tomb, we have the opportunity to step inside. There is no discomfort. It's as though one were looking at an unfurnished room. There is no life here. There is no death. Just a space that held for a short time the earthly body of our Lord. Like an empty container now, it's only use is as a testimony to His promise of eternal life.

Pressed into service to help lead the communion service, I felt totally inadequate to serve my fellow pilgrims as I read the communion words from the Bible. The Holy Spirit, however, did not care! The feelings expressed by all were ones of joy, awe, praise, and an infilling of the Spirit!

Its a "free" day, but our guide, Saad, and bus driver, Awni, volunteer to come and take us to some of the special sites around the city. Today we walk through the grounds of the Pool of Bethesda, up onto the Temple Mount, through the old streets of the city and out the Damascus Gate. A short ride and we are at the top of the Mount of Olives and a glorious walk down the Palm Sunday road.

There are moments that overwhelm the senses. Others that overwhelm with understanding.

At the Pool of Bethesda, I understand why it was so difficult for the man to enter the water. As we enter the Temple Mount, now the site of the Muslim holy site called the Dome of the Rock, I encounter Palestinian guards who instill some fear in my heart at their obvious displeasure with the Bibles Kay and I both carry.

The excitement of the city streets, the smells, the sounds, the colors, the multitude of cultures melding together just blast their way into every fiber of your consciousness. I love Jerusalem! and so did my Lord! He wept over it in Luke 19:41. I can't wait for His return through that gate so feebly walled in many years ago to prevent His return.

The highlight of the day is the walk down the Palm Sunday road. Oh my, what a feeling to know we are absolutely walking where Jesus walked. Singing, laughing, praising, shouting at the magnificence of that moment when He was the conqueror not for a day, but for all eternity.

A very long day. Saying farewell to Jerusalem and following the Jericho Road down to the Jordan River, a turn south along the Dead Sea to Massada, a magnificent rock fortress in the sky then back north along the Jordan all the way to the Sea of Galilee and our hotel in Tiberias.

The dusty road from Jerusalem to Jericho is strangely descriptive as written in the New Testament. It is indeed "up to Jerusalem." It is indeed a dangerous road through a barren, rocky, dry, dusty, mountainous area that could have hidden many a thief as described in the parable of the Good Samaritan. But one stop about half-way and the view down into the gorge is one of water gushing from the side of the dry cliff and flowing along the bottom of the barren hills down to the valley some miles away.

It is possible to walk along a portion of the old "Jericho Road" of Jesus day. I would like to take that walk someday. I looked at it on the other side of the cliff from where the bus was parked on what is loosely called a modern road, and there was a call to walk where Jesus walked.

The fortress at Massada is so awesome! David retreated here from Saul. The Jews made a last stand here against the Roman legions. Tremendous history, but it is the view that overwhelms you. From all directions you can see across the desert, into Jordan across the Dead Sea, back to Jerusalem, even down into the plains where the Philistines lived. Life lessons here come in floods.

Northward bound to Tiberias along the Jordan River with a quick stop at the Dead Sea. We didn't get to float in the water, but, my goodness, what a sight. This useless body of water has an austere beauty. It does serve to remind us though, that God's justice includes punishment for the wicked.

The further north we ride, the more lush becomes the scenery, ending with an area that would rival the most fertile valleys of California. From dust and desert to fruit and fertility in the course of 70 miles. We will explore the land of Jesus' early ministry over the next few days, but one observation struck me today, a life lesson to treasure.

As we traveled north, I noticed the grape vineyards. Beautiful rows of vines stretching for great distances. Occasionally, at the end of a row would be a huge scorched place in the earth, dark, black, void of life. The words Christ spoke in the Book of John leapt from the pages. Here was the pruning of the unproductive vine. Here was the cutting tossed into the fire. Here was Jesus' illustration demonstrated so that I might be reminded 2000 years later.

What a glorious morning! I'm in Israel. I'm standing on the shores of the Sea of Galilee where Jesus walked upon the water, preached the Gospel, and healed the sick. For this Florida cracker, the Sea of Galilee would be called a "lake" at home, a big lake, but a lake. For me, however, as the sun rises over the Golan Heights, I am absolutely delirious with joy! My Master is with me wherever I am, but I am now where my Master taught on this earth. Life here, in this moment, does not get any better, I feel.

Our visit to the baptismal site at the Jordan River reminds me of the comments made by a fellow pilgrim. She was upset at first by the noise, numbers of people, and raucousness of the site as people were dipped beneath the water and came up praising God as others sang or shouted praises. This living scene was in contrast to the quiet, reverent site she had built in her mind. The Holy Spirit struck her through this sight, though, as He spoke to me in Bethlehem. What a magnificent testimony this multitude of believers was to Him! What a tribute to the size of the Forever Family of God!

Some from our group wished to be re-baptized and two women desired baptism for the first time. It was heart-warming to share their joy! After witnessing there immersion, I chose to slip away and walk a short way up the river to a quiet spot and read the story of John the Baptist baptizing our Lord. It was a special quiet moment. One that is encapsulated in my heart until He returns.

Up to Nazareth from the river, into a town that is non-descript even today. It is not surprising that the words "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" were spoken. If there is a "blue collar" town in the Holy Land, this may be it. Interestingly, Nazareth is at the same elevation as Jerusalem. In both cases, you must travel "up" to the city.

The highlight here came and went before I realized it. In a simple rock-built, elongated, dome-shaped structure was the synagogue Jesus attended. Numb from the travel of the last few days, I almost missed the sensation of sitting where Jesus sat and studied His Father's word.

In Cana, the wine jar displayed is representative of the jars Christ filled with wine instead of water. It is BIG. A medium-size man would fit in one. It may not have been His biggest miracle in most senses, but by volume it was. In Cana, I thought about the sense of humor Christ must have had. :)

Another beautiful day roaming the hills of Galilee concludes with a walk along the shores of this holy land.

Another gorgeous sunrise, and as we board our boat to cruise to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, I'm speechless at this opportunity in my life, it's beauty surely, but it's meaning to my ability to understand the Bible even more so.

As our group of six at the rear of the boat began to read some of the passages about Christ and the events on this body of water, our guide commanded the boat captain to stop the boat and for me to come forward to read for all. As in days of old, it was an honor to read from God's Holy Word. As always, the words struck deep into my soul and the spirits of those on board. When I had concluded reading, a woman began to sing and despite the stillness of the air and water, I was rocked with emotion. Wow! I may have such little faith, but the power of my belief in those moments was consuming.

There have been many "convicting" moments on this trip, but if I could repeat just one, I think it would be the beauty of that pause on the water where Christ asked Peter to demonstrate his faith.

There are many sights to see today, Mount of the Beatitudes, Mount Tabor, the Jezreel Valley, Beit Shen, where many Christians were martyred in the Arena, but none has brought me closer to Him than reading His Word during those quiet moments on the water.

Each of us is affected differently by this trip. I look forward to the expressions from others. Without a doubt, though, none of our lives will be the same.

There's a happy sadness today. Our tour today is across to Haifa through the Valley of Jezreel and the site of Megiddo, over to Mount Carmel, where Elisha defeated the priests of Baal, through Caesarea, eventually on to the airport for our journey home. We feel like seasoned travelers to Israel and we must be, because much of the talk on the bus is about organizing our next trip back.

Megiddo holds a fascination to all Christians as the site of the last great battle described in Revelation. For us today it is a kibbutz with interesting archeological digs revealing the size and scope of Solomon's empire.

Caesarea is both impressive and a wonder, marble roads and huge aqueducts. I walk by the Mediterranean along the side of a huge aqueduct, but my mind is back in Jerusalem wandering up to the Sea of Galilee. The life lessons will exceed the number of pictures I took, and believe me that's a bunch.

I'll conclude this narrative with why I think every Christian should travel to the Holy Land if they have the means.

Luke 21:37 - Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives.

This simple verse, I've read it over a hundred times, means a great deal to me now. As I stood with my back to the East (Golden) Gate looking across the Kidron Valley over at the Garden of Gethsemane, the Palm Sunday Road, and the Mount of Olives, these words leapt from the page! Christ would have walked here each day. This view would have been His. Boy, did he have good legs! The climb up the Mount is not easy.

My point is this: When you travel to the Holy Land, the Bible becomes 3 dimensional, you read it in living color, and see it packed with real blood, sweat, and tears. When you have experienced the testimony of this land God chose to make his statement to the world, your life is changed. I only pray the lessons I have learned here will stay with me till He comes!

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