Samaria

Today we began our traverse to Jerusalem, along the way we made a few interesting stops in Samaria.  My favorite stop of the day was at Jacob's well.  The well where Jesus asked a samaritan women for a drink from her pail.

Church over Jacob's well

Jesus and the Samaritan woman

This place blew me away due to the irrefutable fact that wells do not move, and although the well has been built up and reinforced with stone over the years, the hole has been steadfast and the water deep down is still flowing from the same spring!

There was a madly embellished church built over the well, filled with beautiful artwork: mosaics and statues, candles, and incense...but in comparison to the undoubtable well of Jacob in Samaria-- all of these beautiful interpretations were completely overshadowed.

Sanctuary

 Everyone sipped the cool perfectly clear spring water that 2000 years ago gave relief to our Savior and his parched lips.


I hate to talk about how we broke a few rules in this church... but we were naive visitors.  Meg and I peeked into the Holy place that is separated from the rest of the room by a veil, where the holy sacrament is kept and given to the priest for communion, we were   
reprimanded.  Jonny put his foot up on the well "where 

Holy Place

people kiss"...I asked for a picture of our whole group around the well...and was berated.  I sipped from the cup and then poured the remainder of the water back into the well, to hear the depth of the channel...and then the man wanted a greater donation from our group.  Its safe to say that we rushed out of that hallowed building with some urgency

The next thing on our agenda for the day was to listen to a Samaritan priest tell us about his theology concerning his thoughts on Jesus as the Christ, as well as some personal things about himself.  It was very INTERESTING to say the least.  

This man along with the rest of his people believe only in the first 5 books of the Torah.  The books of the prophets,  he said, do not pertain to him or his people. (he wasn't shy about marketing the samaritan lifestyle to Nicole, Meg and I so that we could be brides for their people...yea...)  

I don't know about smartest, but definitely the most confident man in the world

This guy made many outlandishly global claims that were simply bizarre.  

However along with all of the boasting, this priest did teach us a very important, yet scarce concept that is crucial to understand is this:  that the scriptures are the living word.  This love letter from the lord is ALWAYS offering insight, relief, difficult truths, as well as gracious blessings.  

The samaritan manicans

The point is that no matter how many times one might read, analyze, or parse the scriptures...it will always be there, yet it might come from a different viewpoint,  fulfilling different purposes and making sense in new ways.  During our debriefing session Dan remembered this phrase the "smartest man in the world" had said: He was talking about how in the 45 years that he has been studying scriptures, he only has one drop in the sea.  What he is getting at is that there are so many things to discover.  the bible keeps teaching no matter how many times its been read.  what a beautifully spoken lesson by our passionately devout Samaritan priest.  In Dan's words, "I hope that he's on his way to discovering the rest of that sea!"

The Shroud of Turin: Jesus or just a man?

Notre Dame Center

This all brings me to the last and probably most influential thing that I've seen and reacted to so far on this pilgrimage...which I am tentative to say because each and every day something new seems to bring an experience that is unimaginable and invigorating in a touchingly beautiful way, that to me is almost beyond words and often earthly comprehension.

After our team had dinner (we didn't want to be rushed for this experience.)  we got to go to another exhibit after hours. ( we have a pretty amazing group leader..huh..getting us these privileges with his way of words.)

It was something that I could never have prepared myself for.  The museum was in the Notre Dame Centre (created by Father John fro Magdala!) featuring the man's countenance discovered in the shroud of Turin.  The man of the shroud is believed by many to be Jesus.  It is a mystery how the impression of a crucified man was left in these burial clothes as well as why it is the only one found yet.  There are detailed coincidences that are displayed all throughout the exhibit that share huge similarities to the burial tradition and conditions that took place for Jesus' burial that were recorded throughout the four gospels.

Shroud compared to Jesus interpretations

The impressions that were left on the shroud (burial cloth) are unmistakably one of a crucified man, due to the blood stands and hand/feet positions.  There was a poster showing how closely the face in the shroud resembles the icons and images of Jesus that date from the 4th century to the 14th century.  These are artworks that had not been associated with the discovered cloth.

After seeing the numerous explanations and evidentiary proof that dates the shroud to the 1st century, also known as the time of Pontius pilot and Jesus, the same area that Jesus would have been buried in (due to horticulture studies of flowers imprinted), and a body likely in the condition Jesus' had been left in (no broken bones, bloody head, a spear-like wound, and definite crucification wounds. Understanding these things were pretty indescribable.  

We made our way over to the holographic display of a crucified version of the man imprinted in the shroud that is behind a sheet-covered statue.  My Dad explained that the sculpture is the creation ---thanks to technology and computer graphics of 3 dimensional proportions of the mysterious man, allowing these technicians to built the body that was super-imposed onto the burial cloth.  

As Steve and my Dad removed the draped sheet that was covering a life-sized man- drained of was all light and life.  I was completely awestruck, I suddenly felt the need of a chair, for standing seemed quite

difficult.  I struggled to find my breath.  Looking into the face of a man stricken with death-- and one of the most torturous sorts.  Just soaking him in, all of his lifelessness.  For me it wasn't the usual hollow emptiness of a statue.  This was like no other sculpture I'd ever experienced.  Because it was that...an experience.

I don't think that it was simply the interpretations or scientific observations that had been discovered, dissected, and parsed from the shroud.  It was more this image, or rather human being, whom I was gazing upon.  A man-- so emaciated by compassionless pain and forsaken death that to me was a frozen proof of horror and unimaginable sorrow staring me in the face.  

 Representations of this event of passion moves me, but not in the hands down irrefutable, incomparable way that this Man of the Shroud brought upon me.  

An unshakable distraught-ness.  A feeling of helplessness, as well as of shame, guilt, mercy and undeserved  love washed over me.  Regardless of the fact that the man in the shroud could very well just be a man.  There was an equal possibility that he could also have been Jesus.  

I have been overwhelmed before..but never have I been so emotionally, spiritually, and physically rocked by anything.  I will never think of Good (unbelievable) Friday in the same way ever again-- It

wasn't that i didn't hold a reverence for it before.  But there is just some quality or characteristic that was represented in this crucified man's face and body.  a possibility of what He may have looked like-- an actual crucified man, or truly the Prince of Peace's countenance that can never be transferred through any silver screen.  I don't care who the director is.

Tonight was earthshaking of the highest caliber on my Richter Scale.

This night will be forever set apart in my mind.  

                                                                    SELAH

JerUSAlem

What is the core of Jerusalem? USA! This joke is a favorite of many Israelis, and one that we became quite accustomed to :)

Today we got to negotiate our way around and through Jerusalem.  It started out a little rougher than we had anticipated.  The hope was to start off visiting the Garden of Gethsemenee followed by the church of Mary Magdalene...however...we had a later start to insure a relaxing start today, which developed into a series of badly timed arrivals... every church seemed to be closed for lunch!

whoopsies ;)

We made it to the church called Dominus Flevit, or the Lord wept, after the verse in Luke 19:41 where Jesus weeps when the city of Jerusalem comes into sight, and this incredible window shows

the dome of the rock in the background of the cross.  a beautiful testament to the scriptures and passion that Jesus felt towards the lost city.                                                                       

The church was built near some uncovered ossuaries (bone boxes) and gave an example of family tombs from that time.  This is the only church with a hen gathering her brood on the communion table that reminds us of Jesus' words in the gospel of Matthew.  A very tender reminder.

"Oh Jerusalem, Jerusalem...How often would i have gathered you as a hen gathers her brood..."

-Matt 23:37

  Next we went to a lookout overhanging old jerusalem, this helped to paint an image  of the majestic heights and stature of the old temple's structure. 

While we were there, Meg and Jonny got an impromptu camel expedition! They looked like true Israelites with their rented (yes...not borrowed, but rented) headware.

 Plus, the camel was pretty cute, 

and the owner assured us that he was a kissing camel, rather than a spitting one :)  

This site overlooks a massive Jewish grave site.  The hillside overwhelmingly has strategically stacked gravestones that slightly reminded me of sardines all packed in with no room to spare.  

Many jews decide to be buried in this specific location of Jerusalem because this is where Jesus is prophesized to come to first on his return, or for them, his first coming.

The Tombs of the Prophet (Kidren Valley)

Next was our visit to the Holy Sepulchre.  It was exquisitely adorned with candles and houses three different churches. The Holy Sepulchre or Holy Tomb is believed by many to be the site of the crucifixion of our Christ.  It also holds what is thought to be the anointing slab of rock that Mary magdalene and Mary the mother of Jesus used, as well as the burial place. 

I found it touching to enter these holy places, to put my hand into "the cross's hole".  But at the same time, it gave me a vivid reminder of how many of these sites, however  on point or near the place they might be, may be no where near the locations of the crucifixion or burial of Jesus that took place in the bible.  However, this Holy place seemed to be a  testament of how we all want that same proof and evidence that Thomas hoped for those two thousand years ago! 

Entrance to the Holy Sepulchre








 When I rubbed my fingers around the circumference of that hole in the rock it was so reminiscent of doubting Thomas putting his hands in the wounds of the Lord.

Tomb of Christ









 Even today, centuries later, people are trying to uncover evidence to further prove with scientific explanations or geographical facts what we Christians believe with faith and hope that grows each day in our hearts. 

Caesarea Philippi

Today we saw a paradise.  The true definition of floral and fauna--It was one of Herod the Great's architectural masterpieces (it seemed like every place we went, we would come across some of Herod's creations to Caesar and himself)  Before we went to look around Caesarea Phillipi we read the scripture from Mathew 16:13-20.  this was an amazing scripture to read.  This place was also a temple to many Roman gods like Banias and Venus, as well as a place where the priests of these gods made goat sacrifices for them.

 It was like going back in time and realizing that Jesus and his disciples walked by these very streams and saw the little stone idols that would sit high in these shelves, and somehow had the power to own the people and fulfilling the world's obsession with worldly materials, as well as feeding the selfishness of many; these people would choose a god depending on their specific needs, rather than giving the Lord their hearts to be molded into one of his sons or daughters, desiring to honor and serve Him with all they have.  People were too worried about their belongings and comfortable lives. 

This was a really cool "device" that had the scripture  mentioning Caesarea Phillipi from the gospel of Mark written in four different languages, and when spun would show up on the sand!   Jonny says that "this is a job for Dan..." haha so great.

This was an amazing day!  We took a nature hike where we followed the Hermon stream to an incredible waterfall that seemed to be streaming out of sheer rock.  It gave an enlightened meaning and interpretation to Christ's metaphors of being living water, and why that is such a craved entity.  Pure beauty!

                        untamed waters :)

Magdala and the Sea

We began our day early, eating breakfast at 6:30 so that we could be on the road by 7 to meet with Claudia who was going to show us around a newly excavated site (began JUST 4 years ago!)  a company was building a hotel type building, so that the parking lot for the property needed to be built.  However, in the process of breaking the ground to do so, the workers discovered ruins, and after calling the Antiquities department of Israel (required by law) the project builders had to postpone their plans to build, and instead began their exciting archaeological dig.

Pillars from Magdala

 These specialists found the town called Magdala, the home of Mary Magdalene whom we all have grown to love through reading scriptures and who treasured the One we call Messiah.  They discovered that this site (in the continual process of being uncovered and advertised...) was from the first century, 2000 years ago, because a coin was discovered with a picture of Tiberius's profile as well as the date.  Truly an amazing discovery, another fact that cannot be ignored is the location of this town between Nazareth and Jerusalem: in order for Jesus to be faithful as a

 Jew in his travels, he must stop for his second prayer

around 2 O'clock.  This means that by the time the later afternoon rolled around, Jesus would have been near Magdala-- This is the place Jesus would have stopped to pray to his Abba.  THAT is INCREDIBLE.  we got to sit on the very place and likely steps that Jesus must have been worshipping in.  This was a once in a lifetime experience that many will never receive. Our team was very privileged to be visiting the incredible site of Magdala at the same time a certain Father John (from Mexico and the Notre-Dame Center in Jerusalem) was.  This priest is the executive man in charge of everything that is being done to allow this incredible find to be shown to other pilgrims.  Father John invited us to step into the site and actually have a prayer in a first century, 2000 year-old synagogue that our Lord had used.

Claudia showing us the painted original column!

Father John felt moved to show us the church that he is building right off this beautifully amazing historical and more importantly biblical site that is dedicated to Mary Magdalene as well as the other women in the bible who followed Jesus Christ unswervingly, providing instruments of models for many women and men today.  It was something that I know all of our group found touching (especially Nicole, Meg, and I :) ).  The building is going to be magnificent: overlooking the town of Magdalene with the Majestic Sea of Galilee just off in the distance of the sanctuary.

The whole area is being excavated as well as being built (in the church's case) based on donations and volunteers alone.  An incredible feat, but one that is being accomplished each day, one step at a time!  This church, this vision is something that I along with many i am sure, find empowering, unique, and bold.  But also SO perfect in terms of it being in such close proximity with Magdala the home of a beautifully devout and faithful servant, Mary: always supporting, always listening, as well as experiencing life as a believer and follower of the Prince of Peace.

Mark, Nicole, Meg, and Jonny (the students)

...and most importantly what kind of day spent in Galilee could be complete without sailing on THE Sea of Galilee, the one that the disciples had so many challenging and forming experiences on with Jesus.


 Well we DEFINITELY didn't skip out on any opportunities.  Lastly we got to see an exhibit about the Jesus Boat that was discovered sunken into the sea floor of the Sea of Galilee. It was amazing to see how they moved it and the steps that the professionals went through to date it and learn as much as they could about it.  All in all.  A VERY good day.

Gracious Gifts

Mount Precipice

Today was an extensive day.  Yet full of amazing places, bringing life to stories from ages ago.  The first place we visited was the place where Jesus was almost thrown off of a cliff to his death for the blasphemous things He was saying that his home town thought was preposterous. It was an ENORMOUS mountain with rocks jutting out, steep cliffs all around--truly the definition of certain death, and yet Jesus got away somehow.  although the mountain is not mentioned by name, this is the most logical place (being right off of the road from Nazareth) that there would be a large possibility that people were dragged here to be cast off and then stoned.  It really constructed a reality that was scary and ultimate, from something that before had simply been words on a page.

Granary in Megido

It was our first day with our tour guide Anot and the historical knowledge that she brought to the table was pretty impactful in many areas.  Megido was an archaeological dig site that gave deeper explanations to how archaeologists work, and the difficulty of the decisions that go into deciding whether to continue to dig in order to look for older remnants of civilizations, which shows multiple layers of different centuries--or if they'll only uncover the top layer.

This site is historically known as the place of Solomon's Kingdom-- so that was a very interesting concept to explore, we saw the ruins of the gates and possibly King Solomon's private stables.  But one of the most interestingly strange things for me to see, was the field where the ultimate clash is predicted to take place on.

Megido

Anot took us to a hill where she read us the bible story from 1 Kings 1:21 where King Ahab and the desired vineyard that Naboth owned.  Jezzabel, Ahab's Queen slyly proved Naboth wrongly guilty that was paired with punishment of death.  Now that Naboth was out of the way, King Ahab could have the coveted property.
 after this innocent's  blood was shed over land, the prophet Ezekiel came to the king and said, "Have you murdered AND inherited?"  To the right of where this dreadful thing happened was the mountain where Saul commits suicide to avoid capture and Jonathan dies in battle.

After our historical stops we took a quick hiatus for some relationship building with some amazingly kind and hospitable missionaries.  The house was called Beit Baracha, or House of Blessings and boy is that ever the truth.  This gorgeous home created a beautiful solace for christian groups to stay in while on their pilgrimage.  Ted was the director of the house, and words can't describe the countenance of this man.  He was exuding joy and compassion.  His graceiousness was an innate characteristic that as we were walking onto the deck to see the beautiful nview that they had.  Dan spotted a Chofar, one of the beautifully twisted ram's horn that is blown like a bugle.  He asked a few harmless friendly questions about it mentioning how he hopes to find one before we leave the amazing country of Israel...LITERALLY 5 minutes later, Ted comes out holding the Chofar.  He tells Dan that 
wants him to have it.  I think its safe to say that every person who witnessed this gesture, was blown away.  Ted said, "It was a gift to me long ago, so please--let me give it to you now.  It was truly amazing.

 Graciously, Dan used his trumpet skills to coax out some rich notes so that Ted knew he chose the right man.

Such a story tale ending to this day:  beautiful places, beautifully kind people, and a most humble gift.

What a blessing ,and perfect transitions for the place that we are headed---The Mount of Beatitudes.

Meandering Through Nazareth

Waking up to the songs of birds is leagues above any blaring alarm clocks buzz and that is how my morning began--it was glorious.  There is nothing as refreshing as a rejuvenated spirit.  One that is prepared and ready for a new day (this is a request that I ask each night, and boy am I thankful for the Lord's blessing as I awake bright and eager).  This specific day was like sardines, packed to the brim with adventure.

church of Annunciation

Our day began at the Church of Annunciation.  A church that was built over some excavated remains and supposed cave where Mary was to have heard and accepted the will of the Lord through her.  It was an exquisite building, beautiful in all aspects.
 There were also ruins in this Catholic church of layers upon layers of synagogue basis that continued to be built by civilizations throughout the years.  It gave a sort of rose petal-like layered look which reminded me of the significance of the rosary and its impact through the faith.

Church of Annunciation

Every country was commissioned to provide a piece of art rendering the Virgin Mary and her babe.  They each were so diverse, yet so similar.  It was a simple and somehow still exquisite ministry, and so interesting that one could truly tell almost from just the style and colors they used which country had painted which artwork.  While we were all exploring the upstairs floor of the building, where worship takes place, we got to delight in overhearing another community worshipping in Portuguese.  I realized how meaningful it was to see the church being used as a place of worship and practiced reverence rather than being distortedly transformed into a touristy photo-opt spot.  It reminded us of our purpose that is guiding our journeys and the roots that we are strengthening with each "A site" that we visit.

Down the road from Mary's church was the church of St.
Joseph, a place of worship built simply upon the believed place of Joseph's carpentry shop.  It was much smaller and less ornate than the church of the Annunciation which almost seemed fitting to serve to the dedication of Jesus' earthly father.  a quite, yet compassionate and determined man.  Meek and gentle natured as well as a fervor to love and serve. There was a statue outside the church which was a beautiful representation of him.  Joseph was standing with an expression of quiet understanding and downcast eyes in compassionate subservency.   I could almost picture the moment in which Joseph told Mary that he was not going to disgrace her name or send her away.  (who knew that a sculptures face could portray such feeling).  The incredible composure that this patient trusting man must have had.  It was a lovely sanctuary and so we took a spontaneous moment to stand up and sing the doxology.  imagine: 8 people, voices raised like a choir flowing and blending beautifully, creating a remarkable melodious tune (with some harmonizations, thanks Dan!) the sound engulfed the four walls.

St. Joseph's Church

The international Center of Mary was dedicated and provided by a Catholic french community.  It was unlike anything that I've ever seen or experienced.  There were four rooms that told the story of Jesus from his conception to his assent ion.  Each room was different than a simple screen in a dark room.  The theaters had depth in every sense of the worth.  It had surround sound, lighting, holographic and moveable parts.  It provided scriptures from all parts of the bible as well as an intense grip on my emotions through movie clips.  We were overcome by the selflessness and hospitality of these amazing servants of the Lord.  They have the heart to let us come back during closed hours in order to finish the tour.  To me, it was a beautiful way to observe service to the Lord through humbly and sweetly loving Him, through loving and caring for us, a few strangers.

Next was the city and site where Jesus' first miracle was done.  Although the church didn't seem all that special on the outside as well as little distinction on the inside... it was exciting to see that the church was built around the believed tomb of Joseph.  This very cool place is very near to the area where Jesus turned water into wine, an act of compassion and to bring joy-- which it did!The nun told dan and Jonny that this is a church, not a beach which as a statement is very true and though it seems a bit short and harsh, when examined a little deeper there is a solid truth to it.

the skirts 

One of the coolest paces that words can't possibly describe (along with EVERYTHING else in Israel) Was the Nazareth Village.  It provided a new reality and perspective to what life might have been like in the town of Nazareth during Jesus' time.  We saw men and women dressed in the head-wraps and cloaks of the time period working carpentry tables and sewing tapestrys.  We learned about the process of making olive oil--which is a very important industry used in many biblical traditions especially within Israel.

Steve using the Olive mill

Lastly we got to see a MASSIVE excavated town in Tsippori that is dated from the time of our Lord 2000 years ago.  It is just outside of Nazareth and scholars and theologians are quite certain that Jesus and his father must have come for work in this city and therefore built many of the structures from this town.  It was very cool.  The last part of this stop was walking through the place where water had been kept.  This was amazing technology, for this time in history, that would have taken lot of will power, muscle power, and sheer knowledge to create this amazing reservoir.

Posing in Tsipori (Sepphoris)