Jerusalem

As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore.  -Psalm 125:2

As I sleep next to the Dead Sea my dreams are less vivid, but they come none the less.  My ex-wife haunts my dreams of late.  No matter how vivid the dreams are, I still cannot fully remember or grasp them when I awaken.  I recall bits and pieces.  In the dreams I am angry and she is crying.  In my dreams I am getting things off my chest.  I'm telling her things that need to be said, things that are hurtful to her, things I can't say to her in person.  These dreams are wracked with emotion mixed with a dash of closure.

We only stay on the Dead Sea one night.  Our group gathers our belongings and continues the journey.  Our pilgrimage is taking us to Zion, the Holy City, Jerusalem.

Masada

Before Jerusalem we make a stop at the fortress of Masada.  Herod the Great built Masada between 37 and 31 B.C.  You'll remember Herod the Great as the one in charge when Jesus was born.  Herod ordered Masada built as a back-up plan in case anyone turned against him, the "king of the Jews."  Masada rests a full 1500 feet above the Dead Sea.  It was completely self-sustained with gardens, store houses of food and weapons, and a system of aqueducts and cisterns for water.  The funny thing is that historians don't think Herod had ever been to Masada!  It was built as a "just in case."  It was manned by only 100 soldiers.

Cable Cars take you to the top of Masada, 1500 feet above the Dead Sea.

The ride is not for the claustrophobic or those scared of heights.

Can you see the cars on the road down below?

The Holy Land is intense.  I feel it in my stomach, especially at this height.  Israel seems to have very little flat land; we always seem to be walking up or walking down.  Sometimes in life we feel on top of the world!  Things are going great and the pigeons are singing.  Other times we are in the Valley of Megiddo fighting some battle.  For what seems like forever (but in reality has been a year and a half) I have been living in between two lives.  Since my baptism represented a fresh start, I must fully let go now.  And I will.  I brought something to Israel to help with that.

Like I mentioned before, there is something that I carry with me.  It's been in my back pack the whole time.  It's something that will not be going home with me.  This item is making the pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and there it will stay, inside the Wailing Wall.  I can no longer bare to have it.  I know He can bare it.

Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.  -Psalm 55:22

What is below the black line is original architecture and what is above is restored.	This is a miniature model of the Bath House of Masada. We had also seen a Bath House in Biet She'an.	Check out the original tapestry behind the Mikveh inside the bath house.
This sauna reminds me of the one we saw in Biet She'an.  Herod spared no expense.	This wall was once painted white to send a glare down to anyone who tried to spy up to the fortress.	In Masada's Synagogue a Jewish Scribe makes hand written copies of the Torah.

After Herod's death and during the Jewish Revolt, the Jews managed to sneak into Masada and kill off the 100 Roman guardians 1 or 2 at a time in stealth-like fashion.  Roman forces sought to take back Masada.  To do so, they built a ramp leading up to the fortress.  The process takes three years.

This is what is left of the Roman ramp up to Masada.

This is a miniature model of the ramp that the Romans built in its full glory.

When the Jews realize that the siege would soon end in their defeat they did something unthinkable.  To prevent their wives from being abused by Roman soldiers (who had not seen a woman in 3 years) they kill their wives.  They also kill their own children to prevent them from becoming slaves.  They then cast lots to kill each other, and the last warrior falls on his own sword.  These are freedom fighters; it's freedom or death.  Only 2 women and 2 children remain to tell the tale.

They do something else I find interesting: they hide their biblical scrolls in a secret place in the fortress.  However, they leave the scroll of Ezekiel in the Synagogue.  The Temple in Jerusalem has been destroyed, Masada is defeated, and their families are dead.  Yet, they held onto their faith.  I've been in some low places, but nothing like that.  To the very end they held true to the Lord.

Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.’”  -Ezekiel 37:11-14

When it comes time to leave Masada, several of us want to take the Snake Path instead of riding the cable car back down.  The Snake Path is a 2.5 mile hike that snakes down the mountain along a thin path.  However, our guides do not let us hike it because of the heat.  Humph.  Next time...

Ein Gedi

This is the location where David spared Saul's life in 1 Samuel 24:1-22.  David could have killed Saul but he remained loyal to the Lord's anointed.

We are nearly to Jerusalem when we make a very short stop at Ein Gedi (Spring of the Young Goat).  Getting to see these places will forever change how I read my Bible.  Thank you God for unveiling these sights to me!

Ein Gedi means "Spring of the Young Goat."  Up on the hill we happened to spot a mother with her baby.

A spring of water pours down in front of the entrance to the cave where David "cut off a corner of Saul’s robe."

Before entering Jerusalem, our guide Juda introduces us to an Israeli merchant whom he allows onto the bus.  He is selling hand crafted jewelry.  I had been thinking about getting a new ring to replace my wedding band and had even looked at a couple back in the United States.  But, I had never settled on one.  I made the decision to buy a sterling silver ring with the Hebrew inscription "Where you go I will follow."  This will serve as a reminder for me to stay on God's path.  I will have to wait a couple of days for the ring to be made.

Your word is a lamp for my feet,
    a light on my path.    -Psalm 119:105

The Mount of Olives

Our bus bursts out of the tunnel and there sits Jerusalem to our left.  Wow.  I can't believe I'm in Jerusalem.  I can't help but think of Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday (Matthew 21:1-11).  Everyone on the bus is straining to see out of the windows.  This is the city where King David reigned over all Israel for 33 years.

Our bus parks and we get out and take a group photo with the cityscape in the background.  We are standing on the Mount of Olives.  I think most people think about the past when they think about the Mount of Olives.  I tend to lean toward thinking about the future.  One day, Jesus will return and step down on this mountain, splitting it in half.  Perhaps I'm thinking more about the future these days in general.

And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives,
Which faces Jerusalem on the east.
And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two,
From east to west,
Making a very large valley;
Half of the mountain shall move toward the north
And half of it toward the south.

-Zechariah 14:4

The view of the East Wall of the Temple Mount as seen from the Mount of Olives.

The Garden of Gethsemane

Our group walks from the Mount of Olives to the Garden where Jesus was arrested.


He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”  -Luke 22:41-46

Our guide speaks about the history of this place and Pastor Mike gives a teaching moment.  After that, we have some time to ourselves to walk the garden.  I find an olive tree and sit under it.  I have time to myself just like Jesus did when he prayed to the Father from this place.  Can I ever truly grasp the extent of Jesus' suffering?  But he suffered it, and made me right with God.  Am I living up to that calling?  Sometimes instead of prayer I find it easier to write letters to God.  I did this in the garden under the olive tree.  Below is what I wrote.

Where do I stand with you, Father?  Has your grace fully found me?  Love like this I've never known.  I know you prefer obedience over sacrifice, but I brought something with me to Jerusalem, something to lay at your feet.  Tomorrow I will lay it down and never again will I hold it.  It's not only a sacrifice to you but a burden I have been carrying for a long while.  I pray that you may accept my sacrifice at the Wailing Wall, and please, take my burden with it.  You are mighty to carry it.  I, on the other hand, am tired of bearing it.  Thank you for your grace my Lord.  Where you go I will follow.

When I finish the letter I'm shaking and in tears.  This has been such an emotional trip.  Jesus bore a burden far greater than mine.  I praise Him for taking on our burdens and healing our hearts!  Tomorrow I will lay my burden at His feet; tomorrow I will leave my wedding ring in the Wailing Wall.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”  -Matthew 11:28-30

King Solomon Hotel

We check into the King Solomon hotel.  That night, several of us meet a friend of Kenric's in the hotel lobby.  His name is Yossi, a Jewish man who lives in Jerusalem.  Yossi had been very excited ever since he found out that Kenric was coming to his city.  Yossi proves to be a wealth of knowledge about the history and political situation in Israel.  He also speaks lovingly of his children, including two sons that are serving in the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) and his daughter who is a medic.  His sons are specially trained to work with dogs with cameras strapped to their heads to make sure that buildings and spaces are clear before anyone enters.  Sadly, I'm too exhausted to stay the whole time with Yossi and quietly slip away for a quick bite to eat followed by crashing into my pillow.

Mark and I both agree that the window should be open as we get some sleep.  The sounds of Jerusalem drift loudly into our 11th floor room.  It's awesome.

As I fall asleep the sounds of Jerusalem meld into my dream, guiding it.  I'm in my house.  It's night and the lights are off.  I hear rain falling on the roof.  My ex-wife is in the house somewhere.  The house is dark and I can't find her.  I reach for a light switch and my hand gets wet from something on the wall.  In the dim light I see water pouring down the wall and over my hand.  The rain is leaking into the house.  The light switch does not work; the water must have caused a short.  My wife is somewhere in the house, but I can't find her.  The water washes over me.  I awaken.  It's not raining in Jerusalem, the pulse of sound through the window had in my mind become drops of rain.  I go back to sleep and I have no more dreams this night.

Tomorrow I will give God my wedding ring at the Wailing Wall.

I never want to forget this view of Jerusalem from our hotel room window.

Come to the River

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”

Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

-Matthew 3:13-17

I lay down to sleep at 11:30 PM.  The dreams come again, powerful and jarring.  After what seems like hours I awaken and check the clock.  It is 12:08 AM.  The dreams continue through the night.  However, this is the first night in many that I get enough sleep.

Artists have written more songs about the Jordan than any other river in the world.  This morning I will enter these waters for my first time and receive a believer's baptism.  As I get ready for another day in Israel I receive several personal messages.  Pastor Flick writes me a note.  My Church family sends me messages of encouragement on social media.  Jen, also, sends me this message:

I pray that tomorrow as you get baptized, God's Spirit would pour out on you WAY more than you've ever experienced before! May you know his Love, Truth and Being more fully than you yet understood. May you be overwhelmed by God, by your belonging and forever citizenship in Christ. May you know your true position in this world and in God's eyes. May you feel the newness that you are everyday. May you know where your merit comes from. May you feel empowered to serve God and share his gospel. May God excite you so much, you can hardly stand still. You can hardly stand silent.  May you be renewed in his truth and light. May you rise from baptism radically and forever changed. May all anxiety and apprehension drip fully away from you in light of your foundation in Christ. Much peace, Mike!  You've already attained these things. May you live up to them. (Phil 3:16).  Although these things are already yours, God gives us special times and festivals to celebrate them. You've already been baptized into God's spirit. Tomorrow you get to be baptized with water as well. This is special. I pray BIG things for you, because I can. God has given us these things, these special promises.  You're his, and I'm definitely grateful.

Is there any doubt why I love this girl, the girl that God Himself told me about?  I miss her.  I find myself talking about her to other people more and more often as the trip goes on.  As I move through buffet lines, I try to imagine what food she would choose.  She is not an idol in my life, rather, she is someone who encourages me in Christ and is always pointing me toward Him.

The Jordan River is the first stop of the day.  One of the first things that I do is fill a bottle full of water from the Jordan to add to my bottle from the Sea of Galilee.  I only need 1 more bottle.  The 33 of us getting baptized (plus 4 more that were late additions) change into white robes and sit on the bank of the river.  Once we are assembled, Pastor Mike from Banner of Christ addresses us, as does Pastor Flick from Everyday Life.  Both do a great job helping us understand the magnitude of what's about to happen.  After the pastors are done speaking, we are invited to tell why we are getting baptized today.  Folks stand up at random, give their name, their church, and why they are here.  The Spirit gives me the courage to stand.

"My name is Mike Endres.  I attend HomeFront Church.  I remember talking with Josh about this day in January 2013.  It was then I made the decision to travel to Israel and be baptized here."  At this moment I pause.  No one to this point has broken down while professing.  After several moments I continue, my voice ringing with pain, "Just after that decision I learned that my wife, the mother of my three young children, was having an affair."  I pause again.  "God allowed my tower to come down," I continue.  "Between the decision to be baptized and now, I have gone through a divorce."  I'm crying now, "But God didn't leave me nor forsake me.  He rebuilt my tower with His will."  Emphatically I end, "This is why I came!"

As I sit down, I realize something has changed among the group.  Everyone claps to express encouragement.  I'm utterly moved by the entire situation and build up to this moment in time.  Now others stand up, confessing with tears the burden they bare.  It's as if it's okay to cry now.  It's okay to be weak, to be broken.  More than ever the importance of baptism is sinking in.

HomeFront Church lines up in the Jordan River first.  Pastor Josh and Pastor Flick will be performing the baptisms for our Church.  I'm somewhere in the middle / end of the line.  My roommate on the trip, Mark, is ahead of me in line.  After each baptism, all of our group erupts in applause and cheering.  As I stand waist deep in the river I feel little fish "kissing" my feet, we'll say.  I wonder if Jesus had fish kissing His feet.

It's now my turn.  I wade toward Josh and Flick.  I hear Josh whisper to Flick that he wants to say a few words to me.  As I stand between the two, taking in the moment, Josh begins to speak privately to me.  I say nothing and just listen to the words of my Pastor.  I'm reminded that, when I first found out my wife was cheating on me, Josh was the very first person I came to.  Since then I have been living in between two lives.  The "in between" is not a fun place to be.  It's a place of depression and anxiety and grief.

Josh tells me that he can't imagine how important this moment is for me.  As he talks I can tell that he's trying to hold himself together, too.  He reminds me that many have been inspired by my story.  He tells me that this is an honor for him to be baptizing me.  He tries to explain how I hold him accountable as a Pastor, and that he's amazed at the rate I pursue my faith.  He tells me that he cannot express how proud he is.  All the while I listen and I'm so thankful that God got a hold of me and set this path in front of me, and gave me the ability to walk it.  All praise goes to the Spirit that gives me strength.  It is my hope to one day be able to encourage people the way my Church family encourages me.  For some (like Josh) it is a spiritual gift.

Flick begins addressing the crowd.  The moment is coming.  My story is shifting.  This is the symbolic beginning of the new me.  This is the FULL acceptance of my new life in Christ and His path for my life.  My path for myself is being left behind and erased.  It's been quite a journey to this moment.

Password:  33


I exit the water, overwhelmed that the moment has come and passed.  But the story goes on.  I'm more excited than ever for those that have yet to be baptized.  So, I find a high perch, and watch them one after the other.  This is not a situation where we wanted to move quickly, to be done with this so we can go on to the next site.  No, we cheer, along with the angels in Heaven, for every last person.  I well with joy for each and every one of them.  After we finish several of us take a brief swim to the other side of the Jordan and back.  Everyone is joyful and full of the Spirit.

Cheryl Reiffer tells me, "You may not know this but you're an inspiration to a lot of people."  I'm thankful for her encouragement.  I don't necessarily feel like an inspiration to others.  But, if my story is inspiring, I'm thankful to God that He gave it to me.  I'm even more thankful for the new, unwritten story ahead of me.  The truth is that my Church inspires me.  I found them at just the right time.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.  - 1 Thessalonians 5:11

What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.  -Romans 6:1-4

Beit She'an

Beit She'an is located in the heart of the Roman Empire. In 686 AD all of the outer walls collapsed in an earthquake. Today, it is among the largest restored Roman cities, second only to a city in Ephesus.  Wandering the streets of this city helps me to get a feel for the sights of Jesus' time.

I sit overlooking the amphitheater of Beit She'an.  This is where Romans would go to watch performances, listen to philosophical debates and political speeches.

The channel in the ground where Josh's feet rest would have clean water for washing. The deeper channel next to the wall, well, that would have something else in it...

Excavation is still being done at this ancient city. Work began in 1986. If you had come in 1995, all of my pictures would have been underground.

The sauna within the bath house would have had a floor over it with holes for the steam to rise up.  The ceiling was domed so condensation would drip to the side.

The last time that Pastor Josh was at this location a powerful rain storm pounded down. When it had stopped raining, this Roman street was drained thanks to the Roman sewer system. However, when they went to leave this site they had trouble because the modern streets were flooded.

Below is the pagan temple at the top of the Tel.  The image on the left is the real deal while the image on the right is a miniature model. This area has been destroyed and rebuilt 22 times, thus the temple sits on a hill.  This is the location that Saul's body was brought and where valiant men went to retrieve it.


The next day, when the Philistines came to strip the dead, they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. They cut off his head and stripped off his armor, and they sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines to proclaim the news in the temple of their idols and among their people. They put his armor in the temple of the Ashtoreths and fastened his body to the wall of Beth Shan.

When the people of Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, all their valiant men marched through the night to Beth Shan. They took down the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall of Beth Shan and went to Jabesh, where they burned them. Then they took their bones and buried them under a tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and they fasted seven days.

- 1 Samuel 31:8-13

What loyalty King David showed his King, even a King that tried to kill him.  It's an admirable loyalty, a virtue.  A lot of people could not understand why I gave my then wife a second chance.  It wasn't so much being loyal to her (though it was) it was more about being loyal to the vows and the God who bound them.  Going forward into my new life I pray to the Father, through Jesus, that the Spirit will keep me a loyal man.  I never never never want to bring the hurt that I felt to another person.  Spirit compel me to be always loyal to Jen, and more importantly to your calling!

It's time for our group to continue south, and into the West Bank.  We will be passing through the land where the Israelites complained to Moses after being rescued from the Egyptians.  We are moving south, toward Jerusalem, that great city of the Bible that has played such a pivotal role in God's story.

Qumran

The Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in Qumran in 1947. Those who found them went to Bethlehem and sold the pottery jar full of scrolls for $147. Until this discovery the oldest known copy of the Old Testament was from around 1000 AD. The Dead Sea Scrolls, which include the prophesies about Jesus in the Book of Isaiah, predate Jesus.

It's a hot day in Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found.  Some theories suggest that John the Baptist was a part of this Jewish Sect.

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.  -Isaiah 53:5

Cave #4 is the most famous cave (pictured below). More than 15,000 fragments were found in this cave. From all 11 Qumran caves, every Old Testament book is represented except Esther. No New Testament books or fragments have been found.

It took 15 years to develop a liquid to dunk the scrolls in that would not only protect the ink but also allow the scrolls to be opened.

It amazes me when I think about how God's story comes into formation, told through the Scriptures over the course of thousands of years by many different authors.

On a much smaller scale I marvel at how God is telling my personal story.  When I rededicated my life to Christ, my wife saw a light in me.  She ultimately rejected it.  But, God used that rejection and kept me on course.  Lord, where you go I will follow!  I have followed His leading out of Egypt and through my metaphorical desert.  But a new beginning is upon me, a "promise land" if you will.

Floating in the Dead Sea outside the Royal Hotel.

I began my day in the water so I guess it's only fitting that I end it there, too.  I make sure to fill up my 3rd and final bottle with water from the Dead Sea.  We stay one night in the Royal Hotel before continuing our trek toward Jerusalem, that ancient city we read about in our Bibles.  I feel like I'm returning home to a place I've never been.

There's something I carry with me to Jerusalem, something I've told only a few people about.  It's something that will not leave Jerusalem with me.  It's a sacrifice to my God and it's also a burden.  I look forward to laying this gift at His feet.

3 Nights by the Sea of Galilee

For the nation and kingdom that will not serve you shall perish; those nations shall be utterly laid waste.  - Isaiah 60:12

By the grace of God, we made it!  (At the Synagogue in Chorazine)

On the way to our hotel from the airport our bus drives near the Palestinian border.  The Israeli military and police are one and the same, walking around armed with powerful guns.  It amazes me as our guide, Juda, impresses on us the fact that 8 million Israelis are able to fend off 1000 million Palestinians.  God's hand must be at work.

It is the Year of Jubilee in Israel (Leviticus 25:8-55).  It also amazes me that the Jewish people are still observing a 3000 year old Law.  Where is Rome?  Where is Babylon?  The Jewish people were scattered throughout the world and had no independent country until May 14th, 1948.  Never before in the history of humanity has anything like this happened, that a people, a couple thousand years later, come back together and still maintain their same culture.

By the time we arrive at our hotel (The Scots in lower Tiberias, located 600 feet below sea level) we are a half hour too late for dinner.  However, the staff makes an exception for us and keeps the buffet going.  I just want to say, that the food is so good here, I would travel to Israel just to eat it.  I may be exaggerating but you get my point.


Whether because of jet lag or excitement or strange dreams, I get only 2 or 3 hours of sleep the first night in Israel.  The next morning we enjoy a magnificent breakfast and then load onto the bus.  It was dark when we arrived so now is my first opportunity to get a good look at the Sea of Galilee.  Wow.  I'm really here.  So many times I thought I would not get to be here, even going back to when my then wife and I separated.  Yet here I stand, in the Promise Land.  Praise God!

Our guide gives us each a transmitter which is to be set to channel 33.  I find that ironic.  Our guide, Juda, has a wealth of knowledge that he shares with us.  Trying to take it all in is like trying to get a drink from a fire hose.  He is also hilarious.

The Valley of Armageddon

Our first site is the top of Mount Carmel, over 1700 feet above sea level.  Once at the top we have an amazing view of the Valley of Megiddo.

Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon. The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, "It is done!" Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since mankind has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake. -Revelation 16:16-18

Mount Carmel is the location where Elijah dueled the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:16-40).  God proved himself by burning up the offering, the rock, and the water.  All the prophets of Baal were then slaughtered.  In that story God proved Himself.  I reflect on how God has proven Himself in the valleys of my life.  2013 was easily the worst year of my life.  But my God guided me and built me up.  He led me to trust Him.  And now, in 2014, I am on the adventure of a lifetime as he unveils the Promise Land to me, and in so doing, Himself.  Has God proven Himself to you in the midst of a difficult season?

Nazareth

Next, we journey to Nazareth, Jesus' home town.

"Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" Nathanael asked. "Come and see," said Philip.  -John 1:46

We make our way through a street market on our way to the Synagogue where Jesus read the scrolls of Isaiah.  There were anti-Christian signs along this route.  I did not hide the cross around my neck.

"Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.  But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.  -Matthew 10:32-33

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”  Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”  -Luke 4:18-21

All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him off the cliff. But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.  -Luke 4:28-30

When Jesus returned to his home town of Nazareth he was rejected by his family and friends.  They even attempted to throw him off the cliff above.  I can relate.  At the same time that I had a revival in my life, my wife rejected Christ from her life.  She hated the light that she saw in me, and started having an affair.  There are even friends that have pushed away from me now that they see that God is first and foremost in my life.  If you are experiencing this kind of rejection, take heart, for your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ suffered the same rejection.  Don't let it keep you from fully serving Him.

Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home."  -Mark 6:4

Capernaum

The Synagogue in Capernaum is just one of a couple of places that historians know for certain that Jesus walked.  Jesus was the Rabbi of this Synagogue.

And He came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and He was teaching them on the Sabbath; and they were amazed at His teaching, for His message was with authority. In the synagogue there was a man possessed by the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, “Let us alone! What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down in the midst of the people, he came out of him without doing him any harm. And amazement came upon them all, and they began talking with one another saying, “What is this message? For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits and they come out.” And the report about Him was spreading into every locality in the surrounding district.  -Luke 4:31-37

According to Juda this is the only accurate depiction of the Ark of the Covenant on the face of the Earth.

A Menorah (Jewish Candle) can be seen carved into this excavated block that rests to the left of the Synagogue.

Below is an ancient millstone.  Juda explains to us how fisherman in Jesus' time used broken millstones as boat anchors.

"If anyone causes one of these little ones--those who believe in me--to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.  -Mark 9:42

I need to ask myself, have I ever been a stumbling block to someone on their faith journey?  Have you?

The Sea of Galilee

As I approach the Sea of Galilee I find myself in tears.  Luckily I am wearing sunglasses that hide my eyes.  It's as if it finally hits me where I am and what I am doing.  A feeling of absolute thankfulness and worship sweeps over me, and this is just day one!  The Spirit whispers to my heart, "It gets even better..."

This 2000 year old boat was discovered in 1984.

Before boarding our boat, I climb down the rocks and fill a bottle with water from the Sea of Galilee.  I plan to do this same thing at the Jordan River and the Dead Sea.  Winds whip us as we venture out onto the Sea of Galilee.

Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

“Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

-Matthew 14:25-33

The view of Tiberias from the Sea of Galilee.

Mark and I float on the Sea of Galilee on our way back to the hotel.  I can't convince Mark to get out of the boat and walk on the water.  If only he had more faith...

Sometimes Jesus calms the storms of our life.  Sometimes he comes out and meets us in them.  But those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose will not be left to drown.  The Lord did not take away my pain right away, He instead tested my faith and taught me many lessons through my suffering.  His will is so much wiser than mine.  What storms in your life has Jesus come out to meet you in?  How great is our God?

After just one day of exploring Israel I already feel like I have been here a week.  Or maybe even my whole life.  It's hard to explain.  I'm having a hard time sleeping here; I'm too excited and add to that the jet lag.  But there's something else.  I've been having strange and vivid dreams ever since I boarded the bus to New York.  Now that I'm in Israel the dreams have ramped-up.  The dreams are too long and too unusual to write out.  After the first night of exploring, I slept for an hour and a half.  I awoke feeling completely rejuvenated and thinking I had slept a full night - but I hadn't.  Then something compelled me, "Rise.  Write."  So I did.

Chorazin

Day 2 begins with a trip 3000 feet above sea level to the city of Chorazin, another city where Jesus was the head Rabbi (along with Capernaum & Bethsaida).  It's amazing to me to think of Jesus as head Rabbi of these 3 places all at the same time.  There is no other Rabbi in recorded Jewish history who has been under the age of 40 and unmarried.  They obviously recognized that he was something special.  They loved Him.  They came to Him for teaching.  But his followers in these three cities fell short in a pretty big way.  They failed to acknowledge Him as the Messiah.

“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you.  -Luke 10:13-14

A Mikveh, or Jewish purification bath. It was used to cleanse one's self for the Shabbat.

A Beit Midrash (A Jewish school where people could ask questions about the Law).

The Synagogue of Chorazin, yet another Synagogue where Jesus was the Rabbi.

As I walk the streets of Chorazin I try to imagine myself in the first century.  If Jesus were here now, what would He say to me?  Would I listen?  Would I hold back?  Would I only accept Him part way?  Or would I give myself fully to Him?  I went through a lot of trouble to get to Israel.  I decided to travel to Israel because I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah.  I give myself fully to you, God.  Have you given yourself fully to Christ?  Fully?

Our guide, Juda, sits on the seat of Moses within the Synagogue.

"The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.  -Matthew 23:2-3

Tel Dan

The tribe of Dan was located in the far north of the nation of Israel.  The Dan River is one of three sources that supply the Jordan River.  This water begins as snow and filters through Mount Hermon for 3 years (a.k.a. the Mount of Transfiguration).  The cool thing about this water is that it is pristine at this point and drinkable.  We gladly fill our water bottles with drinking water and start our hike northward.

Juda assists members of our team fill their water bottles.

Jordan means "From Dan."  As the water flows from Dan to the Jordan River and then to the Sea of Galilee, the water is young, so to speak.  Then, the water continues south through the Jordan River and ends in the Dead Sea.  Like our eternal life through Christ, the water does not die there.  Instead it evaporates and comes down in the north as snow, and is thus reborn.

Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life."  -John 4:13-14

This location has several stories about people living just outside God's law.  Abram came here to rescue Lot from his folly (Genesis 14), King Jehu killed the Baal Worshipers here (2 Kings 10:25-28), and King Jeroboam set one of his two golden calves here.

After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves. He said to the people, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.” One he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan. And this thing became a sin; the people came to worship the one at Bethel and went as far as Dan to worship the other.  -1 Kings 12:28-30

One of Jeroboam's golden calves was worshiped at the top of this staircase.  The alter for burnt offerings would have been in front of the stairs.

Jeroboam's motive was not for worship of the one true God.  No, he was looking to maintain his political power and stay on the throne.  As I think of Jeroboam, Lot, and the Israelites that have abandoned God for false idols I cannot help but think of my friends and family who are on the outside of God's will.  In Chorazine I thought about myself and whether or not I was in right standing.  My thoughts drift now to those I love.  I'm thankful to have so many many friends that have accepted and revel in God's promises.  But what about those who have strayed?  How has God asked me to pursue them?  It's not fun to think about what has gone down in Tel Dan, but these stories can still encourage us.  Has God encouraged you to pursue anyone?

Caesarea Philippi

To get to Caesarea Philippi, the most northern part of Israel, our bus has to drive between two old Syrian landmine fields.  Even today, the region nearby is in conflict.  Our bus stops 35 miles outside of Damascus and I am able to snap a photo of smoke rising into the air from the civil war raging in Syria.

The Syrian civil war rages on.

Like Tel Dan, Caesarea Philippi serves as one of the three sources of the Jordan River.

Up until about 150 years ago, this cave roared with water.  But, an earth quake changed all that.  Now the water flows from a lower section of the mountain.

This cave has a dark past.  This whole area was used for pagan worship, particularly to the false god Pan.  This is the deity that looked like a half-man half-goat (Satyr).  Followers of Pan would use this cave, known as the Gates of Hell, to make their sacrifice.  Babies would be thrown into the roaring water of the cave.  If blood appeared in the water downstream, the sacrifice was NOT accepted, and another baby would have to be thrown in.  However, if there was no blood in the water, it meant that the sacrifice had been accepted.  What a creepy place.

The large niche housed the idol for Pan.

Smaller niches also housed false gods.

How ironic, that against this pagan backdrop, Jesus brought His disciples on a retreat in Matthew 16.  They did not come here to preach.  They pulled away to Caesarea Philippi for something significant to happen.  And it did.

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

-Matthew 16:13-20

I, like Jesus and His disciples, have gone off on a retreat (Israel) hoping that something significant will happen.  The rock is NOT Peter, but rather, Peter's declaration of faith.  I have to ask myself as I walk this place of pagan darkness, who do I say Jesus is?  My heart is full of the Spirit.  He is the Messiah, the Son of the living God!  I praise the Father for revealing this to me!  All these niches built for false gods are empty because they were never anything to begin with.  2000 years later, their followers are gone, too.

Have you ever had something significant happen to you when you've pulled away from your routine and spent some time with the Creator of the Universe?  Have you ever made time to pull away and be with Him?

Caesarea Philippi in the time of Jesus Christ.  This was an area full of pagan temples of worship.

Our group boards the bus and we head south on the Damascus Road.  Yeah, that Damascus Road (Acts 9:1-19).

Tomorrow something significant happens, for tomorrow we are leaving Galilee and heading south where I will be baptized in the Jordan River.

***

On our last night in Galilee, those who are to be baptized the next day are told to meet in the hotel garden at 8:30 PM.  Here, we are given instruction on how the baptisms will play out and the general itinerary.  33 of us are being baptized.  I just turned 33 and walked in the footsteps of Christ, who was crucified at age 33, all the while listening to our tour guide Judas on channel 33 of my transmitter, each day working toward my 33rd blog post in a blog entitled 33 on a trip from June 13th to the 23rd (3 to 3).  Tomorrow, each of the 33 people will deliver 1 or 2 sentences as to the significance of being baptized in the Jordan River.  How can I tell anyone in 2 sentences why I'm being baptized in the Jordan tomorrow?  I've been blogging since February 2013, trying to express why I'm getting baptized tomorrow, and I still have more to say about it.  Maybe they'll let me speak a few more sentences than just 2, perhaps even 31 more.