Standing at the Gates of Jerusalem

[acidfree:2301 style=image align=left size=200]Jerusalem!
 
February 19, 2007-My Birthday!
 
Greetings all! We pulled into Jerusalem tonight, singing "We’re marching into Zion!" We are staying just outside the New Gate (new as in 1880's) at the Notre Dame Monastery and Guest House (which was finished over 100 years ago). Within half an hour of arrival, the priest in charge had taken us all to the roof on the fourth floor and underneath the chilly night sky oriented us to the city. Across the street is the city wall, built in the 1500's. We’re about a ten minute walk away from the old temple site, the Dome of the Rock, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, traditional site of [acidfree:2289 style=image align=right size=200]the crucifixion. Bethlehem and Bethany and the Mt. of Olives are all in sight...and we take off early in the morning for our first real day in Jerusalem.
 
But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let me tell you about some other amazing places we’ve been.
 
Caesarea Philippi-or Banias was a shrine far North in Galilee that for many years before the time of Christ had served as a site for the pagan worship of the god Pan, half-goat, half human...also known as the god of fear. The city was built up by the Herods and also dedicated to Caesar, a god of another type. It was in this place where Jesus asked the disciples: "Who do you say that I am?" and heard Peter answer, "You are the Messiah!" Some of the headwaters of the Jordan are here, and it looks like Tennessee. Just beautiful. We passed lovely and big Mt. Hermon getting here, all covered with snow at this time of the year.
 
[acidfree:2295 style=image align=left size=200]Nazareth is of course Jesus’ parents’ hometown, and has the huge church of the Annunciation. As you travel down, down, down into the lower level, you pass caves once used by inhabitants of the village until you get to a humble cave where tradition tells us Mary heard the angel Gabriel’s troubling greeting, "Hail favored one!"
 
Hazor was a city known in biblical times...Deborah led the battle in which the Israelites defeated the iron chariots of Hazor. An enemy general also had a bad run-in with a tent peg (see the book of Judges!) about that time. We were at Hazor in the driving rain. Twenty five times the city fell over the ages...twenty five times civilizations built on the ashes of the past.
 
[acidfree:2288 style=image align=right size=200]The Cliffs of Arbel overlook the Sea of Galilee. They provide a great view of the beautiful Galilean countryside, just up from Tiberias, where we stayed. They also overlook Magdal... where our wonderful guide, Claudia, makes her home. The cliffs are pocked with caves that have been inhabited by a host of characters through the years. Josephus tells how thieves infested the caves, and were only flushed out when Herod’s soldiers were lowered in baskets over the top. In sight of Arbel are the Horns of Hittim, site of Saladin’s victorious battle over the Crusaders.
 
Mt. Carmel was the site of Elijah’s famous showdown with the prophets of Baal. The series of high hills are covered with olive trees, lush and green this time of year. We stopped and ate at a Druze Muslim village; a great meal of falafels.
 
Megiddo rises above the plains of Armageddon. For centuries Megiddo guarded the crossroads leading north and south, east and west. Site of countless battles, Megiddo was occupied by many different peoples. Here Israelite Kings Omri and Ahab built a mighty city. We traveled into the tunnel that was chiseled through the hard ground to connect the city with a water source outside the city walls. We also marveled at the huge granary and the round altar in the middle of town. The plains have become Israel’s breadbasket...beautiful farmland. Let’s hope for the day when swords will truly be beaten to ploweshares.
 
[acidfree:2297 style=image align=left size=200]Caesarea Maritim is an incredible Roman city built by Herod the Great on the Mediterranean Sea. This was where Kings went to play. Magnificent structures like the 300 yard hippodrome (horse racing/spectacle arena), 4000 seat theatre, and Crusader castle walls, artificial harbor and Roman aqueduct made this an amazing stop.
 
The People have been so gracious to us. Waiters and waitresses, our great guides, bus drivers, hotel people, folks on the street...we’re really enjoying meeting everyday Israelis. I had opportunity to visit our guide and her family in her home. I went with Max Miller, who has really helped put this program together. And of course the pastoral participants and the Emmanuel Staff have just been great. This is a wonderful group. We’ve also had opportunity to meet wonderful leaders from the church of Scotland, and look forward to great visits with other Christians in Palestinean communities.
 
[acidfree:2299 style=image align=right size=200]The Pilgrimage. Through it all we have focused on prayer and scripture, formation and calling. We meet every morning for prayer and singing; we read scripture on the bus; we use various exercises to get the pastors to reflect on their spiritual journeys and their ministries. We’ve gotten along so well, and I’m looking forward to another great week.
 
Much has happened beyond all of this, but I’ll stop for now. The Lenten season begins on Wednesday, and we’ll be here for it. Pray for us, as we have for you. We’re on pilgrimage, but will be home soon.
 
Tim