Israel Trip - March 2006

 

            Thursday morning March 23, 2006 a band of 55 missionaries/ tourists board two buses in front of Calvary Chaplet Ft. Lauderdale to begin their journey to the most talked about, most controversial, most historical country in the world- Israel, and its most storied and most holy city Jerusalem. Pastor Kelly Lyons, standing in the aisle of the bus is providing information, direction and prayer. Israel customs at the Miami International Airport is, as was were told it would be, very extensive, very elaborate and a bit tense. We were advised in our meetings prior to the trip to bring lots of water. So I did. In my carry on bag I had numerous water bottles. The young Israeli baggage examiner, unlike the others, so grim, astute and silent, when he saw all those bottles, blurted out “What’s with all the water? Don’t you think we have water in Israel?”

            After everyone successfully went through customs we boarded an EL AL 777 and flew to New York. Many extremely conservative Jews boarded the plane in New York and we began our flight to Tel Aviv. I spoke with a number of them. Some were visiting relatives in Israel, others on business, one Israeli was going to Israel to vote in the upcoming elections. Flying all the way over there just to vote. After some 13 hours we arrived and boarded a bus to see Mt. Abel. Being a top the mountain we had a superb view of the entire area.

            We saw the very mountainous terrains and very rocky and austere landscape. On the ground was a vast variety of plants and weeds. I looked for (one of the reasons I went to Israel) and found a particular plant. I was very surprised. I became ecstatic. These were the very plants (according to a number of scientists whose books I had read) used to make the crown of thorns put on Christ!!! In the research that they did they learned that this plant Gundelia Tournefortii is only found in certain parts of Israel and no other places. It is extremely difficult to handle since it has very sharp and pointed branches. The Gundelia Tournefortii plant is extremely sharp and penetrates the skin very quickly. I examined the plant very carefully. Then I prayed. I prayed a prayer of thanksgiving that I was privileged to experience this event.

            Here I was in the land where Christ was, the places that he walked, I would walk, the places he saw, I would see, the mountains, the terrains, the lakes, the synagogues he entered. It was beginning right here with the type of plant used in his crucifixion. I now had great anticipation for the places to be seen in the coming days. We left early the next morning for the Golan Heights, seeing the very mountainous region where the 1967 war was waged. We toured the entire area and went all the way to the Syrian boarder. We witnessed, first hand, the area of the most intense fighting and were explained to how the enemy was defeated in that war.

            We also toured Mt. Hermon, the highest mountain in Israel- some 9,200 feet above sea level. It served as the northern boundary of the land promised by God to Israel (Duet 3:8). The highest places of Mt. Hermon were used by the Canaanites for their Pagan rituals. In Judges 3:3 the Canaanites called it Mount Baal-Hermon. This may have been the site of the transfiguration. Matt 17:1; Mark 9:2. We also toured Caesarea Phillipi. Pagans gathered there to worship their god “Pan”. There’s a spring at the base of the high rock bluff. Christ preached here and it was here Peter proclaimed Christ to be the son of God. For the next three days we stayed in small, Spartan, rustic cottages on the Eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. In the morning I could go out and just a few hundred feet from our cottage, I would be at the shore line. What a wonderful experience. To be on the actual shore of the Sea of Galilee. The actual Sea. It was a time for prayer and reflection. I spent a great deal of time there in the morning and in the evening. Later on our trip we would take a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee. The boat ride was fantastic. The sea was very calm by the shore. By the time we got to the center of the Sea, the waves were very tight. The sea itself is 8 miles East to West and 13 miles North to South. About 32 miles in circumference. It is the main water supply for the entire country. Very important sea in biblical times, and a very important sea in modern times as well. Our tour guide mentioned the fact so too many times, “it’s all about the water”. Then and now it is absolutely essential for survival.

            It is so profound to realize more fully Christ’s constant reference to the living water. He being the source of our living water. Water does so much for man, refreshes him, moves him, cleans him, makes him and water if unlike any other thing. It is unique. So it is with the living water who is Christ we toured some ancient synagogues in Northern Israel. Actually we visited the ruins of these ancient buildings at each site. For the next 11 days an extensive and fascinating description of the history and significance of the site was provided by our extremely knowledgeable Israeli Tour guide. He was truly remarkable in his devotion to his country, the depth of his knowledge, the expert delivery he had and the passion with which he spoke. He truly brought these places alive and meaningful.

            We next visited the site of the Mount of Beatitudes. Incredible the natural carving of the side of a mountain that made it appear as an amphitheater. Apparently Jesus spoke at the bottom of the Mount. Scientific tests were conducted to show how some pat at the bottom at the Mount could easily be heard at the top. Very fascinating stuff. We visited the church of the Beatitudes built in 1937. The church had a commanding view of the Sea of Galilee from the North. We toured Beth-Shean. We saw the 300 foot tel. Archaeologists have identified 18 different levels of civilizations. This makes this area one of the sites for very ancient peoples. The Israeli nation conquered the area under Salomon. In the first century A.D. the Romans developed it into one of the most imposing cities in all the region. An earthquake in the 8th century destroyed a great deal of what was built. This was at the time of Christ a very populated area, an area to possibly recruit for his mission and kingdom - but it had a very Pagan atmosphere. Christ chose rather to stay in the area of Capharemin in a rural, out of the way place to recruit his followers (people untouched by such a Pagan atmosphere).

            We toured the area Caesarea on the Mediterranean Sea between Tel Aviv and Haifa named after Caesar Augustus, Rome’s Emperor from 27 B.C. to 14 A.D. Built by Hued, capital city for the Romans for 500 years. This is where Pontus Pilate lived. Paul visited here many times, he was also imprisoned her for 2 years. From here he sailed for Rome. It is absolutely fascinating to see first hand the locations where so man old testament and new testament events happened. It makes the biblical accounts all the more real and tangible. It should deepen the faith of anyone who has the privilege of seeing these places experiencing these.

            It certainly has increased by faith and understanding and appreciation for all that occurred in this important country. Perhaps the most important aspect of the trip was the fact that I was able to make this trip with some sixty other believers (three being members of my own family), traveling with them, sharing the sights with them, worshipping at holy sites with them, was a very treasured experience. At each location we were able to share the experience and see the land together as we traveled along.

            Ask people what they think of their Jerusalem experience and you get responses like, “incredible”, “fantastic”, “most memorable place ever to visit”, “a must place to visit”. Almost every response if positive, almost every one in the superlative. There is so much to see and Jerusalem is complicated and full of conflict.

            One important aspect of all this conflict and complication is the fact that there are three major groups of religious people wishing to control and have possession of the Holy City called Jerusalem. Each group has an historical religious basis for their claim to the city.

            First, the Jews believe the land to be theirs based on the scripture in Genesis that states that God gave them the land- in perpetuity, that is (forever). The Jews would like nothing more than to move the mosque of the Moslems, and the Dome of the rock to Mecca and allow that area to be controlled solely by Jews.

            The Moslems had the Dome of the rock built to memorialize the biblical account of Abraham sacrificing Isaac. It is the center or focal point for their worship they conquered the land and feel they have every right to be there.

            And finally the Christians revere their city as the holiest city on earth. This is where Christ preached, suffered and where Christ died. This is where He rose from the dead. This is where He ascended to Heaven. The Lord chose this geographical area to do the work of redemption. This is extremely important to Christians. This was the reason for the Crusades; to retake the holy sites. It is the reason today why so many Christian groups cling to their occupied areas in this venerable city. They fervently wish to worship God here. Thus Jerusalem historically and religiously is so vital to all three religions. Thus this historic place has been and will be the focus of religious worship and religious disputes many years to come. It is a place where one’s understanding and appreciation God’s of holy work and interaction with mankind can greatly be enhanced. So it was with me.

            Each group today goes to great lengths to try to prove their group has the legitimate right to the city, to the country. Elat Mazai, a Jewish archaeologist, has been doing archaeological research for some time. She now believes she has found King David’s palace. Other archaeologists believe she also has found the Fortress of Zion that David conquered. What the researchers agree on is that she has found a large public building dating from around the 10th century B.C. the time of David and Solomon.

            In the same general area, farther down the hill you can see the extensive dam and tunnel system dug by King Hezekiah in 700 B.C. the system was built to ensure water from the Gihon Spring could be brought inside the walls of the city when it was besieged by the Assyrians. It was under around to ensure the enemy did not see it. Thus each group works diligently even today to prove their claim to the treasure.

            How remarkable, how astonishing all this is. To see first hand the events of the bible so graphically, so up close is stunning. It makes the bible come alive and gives me great cause to realize I blessed I was to be able to witness such things. It makes one’s faith all the more firm.