The Experience I Shall Never Forget
On Saturday, Sept. 13 we all met at Danise's house and headed for Atlanta to catch our plane to Tel Aviv. We flew out about 10:30 that night and arrived in Tel Aviv around 10 am (Alabama time) the next morning. We had told our Sunday School class that we would be there about the time they started Sunday School and that is exactly what happened. It was around 4 pm in Tel Aviv when we arrived and we were met by our tour guide, Zack Shavin, who has directed tours for Danise and her mother, Mrs. Norma, for many years. After dinner, we walked along the Mediterannean outside our hotel in Tel Aviv. Then it was to bed for badly needed rest!
Monday, September 15, 2008
After a good night's sleep and eating breakfast we boarded the bus for the beginning of our tour of Israel. Tel Aviv is a very modern city, settled in 1909 as returning Jews resettled the Land. Below is a picture of the city.
We began our pilgrimage the next morning on the Mediterannean coast at Jaffa (Joppa) where Jonah fled to avoid going to the Gentiles but where centuries later Simon Peter did take up the challenge. The picture below is the actual seaport where Jonah fled. Joppa was founded by Noah's son after the flood over 5000 years ago. 
After we toured Joppa, we headed to Caesarea, the Mediterranean coastal city built by Herod and the great seaport of the Roman empire. We traveled through the Plain of Sharon to get to the Roman city ruins. Caesarea was the home of Simon Peter and is currently being excavated. We sat in the actual Roman theater where Pontius Pilate enjoyed gala events and walked among the ruins where Paul was imprisoned for 2 years before sailing to Rome for appeal.
These are the ruins of Pontius Pilate's palace in Caesarea. While touring the ruins we saw a stone with Pilate's name on it. In reading Acts 25 and 26 we read about the story of when Festus had Paul stay here. In Acts 26 Paul is brought before Agrippa.
This picture is of the remains of a salt water swimming pool that was in Pilate's Palace.
After leaving Caesarea, we headed to Megiddo, a great chariot city fortified by King Solomon and where we were able to view the Valley of Armageddon where the final conflict will be fought. And, we know from Revelation how this battle will end. Archeologists say this site was occupied as early as 3000 BC. Because of its strategic location, King Solomon strengthened the fortifications to protect Israel and monitor the key north-south route along the Mediterranean. We climbed to the top of the ancient city of Megiddo. The pictures below show scenes of this strategic city. When we were at the top we got an awesome view of the Valley of Armageddon. In this valley we could also see the crossroads of the world, where the main road to Asia, Africa, Russia, and Europe all come together.
A guard room in the fortress.
This is where animals were slaughtered for sacrifices.
This is at the top of the fortress and is were the animals were held.
The picture on the right is a manger where animals were fed. It is also the type of manger that Jesus was placed in after he was born.
Valley of Armageddeon-The largest valley in Israel. Napoleon declared this valley the "world's most perfect battlefield".
Our last stop on this first day of touring Israel was Nazareth, Jesus' boyhood home. We toured the Church of the Holy Seplecure which is built over the place believed to be where the angel appreared to Mary. We also visited a Greek Orthodox Church that is built over a well where Mary and Jesus very likely drew their water.
This is Nazareth today. It was a very small town at the time of Jesus with an estimated population at that time of 100 to 500 people. It is an Arab city today with 60,000 residents. Upper Nazareth has around 1000 Jews.
Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2008
After breakfast today we headed toward the Sea of Galilee. Joshua and Caleb were the first two Biblical characters to enter this land. Today we traveled the route Jesus would have traveled from Nazareth to the Sea of Galilee. Our first stop was the Church of the Beatitudes which overlooks the area where Jesus delivered the Sermon of the Mount and multiplied the bread and the fish. Zack told us that the acoustics of this area were so good that when one spoke it could be heard across the area. The day was very hazy so our pictures of the Sea of Galilee were not very clear. The picture below is where Jesus stood when he delivered the sermon. The Sea of Galilee is in the distance, but is hazy.
From there we stopped again on the Sea of Galilee at Tabgha, were we went into the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes. Inside was a beautiful Byzantine mosaic which is original. Below is what we saw.
Then we headed to the Golan Heights. We were on the Damascus road, but we did not go as far as the spot where Saul (Paul) had his vision. We could see Syria from one point as well as the United Nations buldings. We continued until we reached Nimrod Castle. This castle is on the mount where Abraham got his first glimpse of the Promised Land. Behind Barbara, Debra, and me is exactly what he saw as he came out of the Ur of the Chaldeans and looked upon the land that God gave him and all his descendents. From this spot we could see both Syria and Lebanon.
We left there and headed for Capernaum. We passed through Caserea Phillipi and a little town, Kirat Shamona, that was shelled during the war in 2006. We also were shocked to actually see cotton fields.In Capernaum we visited the ruins of the synagogue where Christ taught and the ruins of the home where Jesus healed Peters' mother-in-law. Nearly half of Jesus' disciples lived here since it was a prominent fishing village. At the synagogue we actually stood in the spot where Jesus read the scriptures. In the picture below I am touching the this exact spot. Can you image the feeling I had? Incredibly awesome!!!!!
After leaving Capernaum, we went back to the Sea of Galilee and took a boat ride. As we rode along the shore, we were able to view the stretch of land where Jesus' ministry took place. I could just see Jesus walking on the water! I can't believe I was right in that place. We could see from the boat the place where Jesus called His men to be "fishers of men".
Next stop-The Jordan River-and one of the highlights of the trip. Several of us were baptized by one of our own, Rev. Dan Sheppard of Hillcrest Baptist Church of Ozark. This took place at the modern Yardenit baptismal site. It is just south of the Sea of Galilee. As I went under and came up I pictured God saying, "This is my son in whom I am well pleased" to Jesus. I hope he said that about me, but he probably said, "You need to keep working on it, I am not through with you yet".
Well I've Been To The River And I've Been Baptized, I've Been Washed In The Blood Of The Lamb....as the song goes.
Today we finished the steps of Jesus' ministry in Galilee.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Traveling south through the Jordan River Valley today we visit Beth-Shean, where the Philistines hung the bodies of Jonathan and King Saul, and the site of a magnificent 2,000 year old Roman Ruins. Beth-Shean was destroyed by an earthquake in the 8th century. We toured the ruins which included the theater, baths, exercise rooms, and bathrooms. Saul died at Mt. Gilboa and was hanged at Beth-Shean. It was an important crosroads because people had to pass through here going to Jerusalem.
This is a view of the main street of Beth-Shean. Only in the last few years has it been uncovered and excavated. Actually, it is still currently being excavated.
These are the baths. Wish I could post all the pictures of this place. It is amazing!
From there we continued through the Judean wilderness via Jericho, the oldest city on earth, where Joshua marched and the walls came tumbling down. We ascended through the wilderness remembering the Good Samaritan. We saw the Plains of Moab where 3200 years ago the Israelites camped and came over to the Promised Land.
Next Stop-Jerusalem-The Holy City
As we entered the city of Jerusalem a flood of emotions grasped us. We stood on the Mount of Olives and observed the city as Jesus would have seen it. Danise and Mrs. Norma sang a song about it. I can't tell you the incredible feeling when we saw the Temple Mount. I could not believe I was actually standing where Jesus stood. In the picture below I am standing on the Mount of Olives and the city is in the background. On the Temple Mount you can see the Arab Mosque that is in the spot where Solomon's Temple once stood. This mosque will have to be destroyed before the new temple can be built. Bible prophecy says that there will one more temple built. How do you think it will be destroyed? Danise thinks an earthquake will destroy it.
These are graves on the Mount of Olives. People pay enormous amounts of money to be buried here. It is the largest Jewish cemetery in the world. It is believed by Jews that those buried on the Mount of Olives will be resurrected first and follow the Messiah into the city. Acts 1:12 says that Christ ascended from this Mount and Zechariah 14:1-5 says He will return to this Mount.
We then walked down the Mount of Olives via the Palm Sunday Road. After lunch we visited the excavations of the City of David. This has been done in the last 5 years. More and more of the old city of Jerusalem is being uncovered. .
These are Arab homes on the Mount of Olives. We heard them doing their "call to prayer". It was very loud and could be heard all over Old Jerusalem.
This is the Pool of Siloam where Jesus spat on the clay and healed the blind man. These steps are actually where people sat during Jesus' ministry and watched as people were healed here by Jesus. Solomon was also anointed King of Israel at this spot.
Here we are entering Hezekiah's tunnel which channeled the water to the
City of David. This led to the Pool of Siloam.
I felt so blessed to be able to experience this. The things we saw today are definite proof that the Bible is real and true. I know-I've been here!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
We began today by going to the Temple Mount. This is the first time in 5 years that Zack and Danise have been able to take a group to the top. It is controlled by Arabs. The Temple Mount is actually Mount Moriah where Abraham took Issac when God told him to go sacrifice him. The rock where he took him is in the Arab Mosque. We were not allowed to go inside because the Arabs do not allow Jews or Christians to go in. But, we felt so lucky to be able to actually go up on the place where the Temples of Solomon and Herod stood and be able to walk on stones that Jesus toddled on as a baby and as He stood on when he was teaching in the Temple. One day, a new Temple will stand where we stood. As we ascended we got a good view of the Wailing Wall. We entered the Temple Mount via the Dungate (eastern wall). We also saw the area where Jesus overturned the tables of the moneychangers. After we left the Temple Mount we went by the Pools of Bethesda where Jesus healed the lame man.
The Wailing Wall. Men have to pray on one side and women on the other side.
Touching the actual stones Jesus walked on.
After we left the Temple Mount we went to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed and wept. We paused for reflection at the Church of Dominus Flevit where the Lord looked out over His beloved Jerusalem and wept. We had a group picture made here.
We then headed for Bethlehem. There we went to an Olive Wood Factory where I purchased a beautiful olive wood nativity. After shopping we entered the cave (cattle stall) of our Lord's Birth inside the Basilica of the Nativity. Inside we were able to view of the altar of Christ's birth. This marks the traditional spot of the birth. Below is the picture of the entrance. This was a small door which intentionally causes one to stoop in order to exhibit humility for our Lord Jesus Christ.
After visiting Jesus' birthplace we headed back to Jerusalem to visit Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial before returning to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
Friday, September 19, 2005
Today we had a full day of walking in the Old City. We ascended Mount Zion to David's Tomb and the Room of the Last Supper. We entered through Zion Gate to the Jewish Quarter to view the Cardo-Max, a "Main Street" in Jesus' day. We descended to the Western (Wailing) Wall, a 2,000 year old remnant of the Jewish Temple retainer wall. We walked the Via Dolorosa (Way of Suffering) with thousands of wall to wall Arabs who had just turned out of a noon service as they began their first day of observing Ramadan. It was quite an experience I shall never forget!!! We had a terrible time keeping up with each other, but miraculously, we all made it to the place where we headed for Calvary and the Garden Tomb where we had our Lord's Supper Memorial Service. We visited the "sacred pit" where Jeremiah was lowered and where Jesus was also lowered before his crucifixion.
This is the Garden Tomb where Christians believe was the burial site of Jesus. We went inside and saw the place where he was laid before he resurrected. The distinct clues that support this as being the tomb is that the Bible says that the crucifixion took place outside the city walls near Golgotha (the place of the skull), and that the tomb was located nearby in a garden. All these are characteristics of this place. Look closely at the picture below of the nearby rock wall and you can see the image of a skull. This was just outside the garden.
Barbara places a prayer in the Wailing Wall for our Sunday School Class.
Here I am standing in front of THE gate into the Temple that Jesus entered as he approached it from coming down off the Mount of Olives through the Kidron valley.
Today was a very meaningful day. Having communion led by Bro. Dan at Calvary was an awesome experience.
Today is the Jewish Sabbath. We had a leisurely free day of shopping in the Arab market. I did not take any pictures today because I wanted to carry as little as possible. The market was very crowded, but there were bargains to be found. We returned to our hotel early this afternoon, rested and sat outside under the shade trees where several of us talked about the trip.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Today is our last day in Israel. We left the hotel very early and headed out of Jerusalem through the Judean desert wilderness down the Jericho road. We went to Masada where we explored the impressive fortress palace fortress complex built by Herod the Great atop a high desert plateau. It is so hot up there!!! We rode a cable car to the top. We toured Masada, which was very interesting. The ruins left much to be imagined about this once plush palace. We saw mosaics and painting dating 2000 years ago. It was destroyed in 67 AD by the Romans, who seized it from 1000 Jews who were living there. All the Jews committed suicide to prevent being captured by the Romans and being forced to be used as their slaves. From the top we got a great view of the Dead Sea, which is the lowest place on the earth. We could see Jordan on the other side of the Dead Sea.
This is a cistern that collected water when it rained.
The stones I am touching are actual stones place there when Herod built the palace. These too are over 2000 years old!
After leaving Masada we went to Qumran, where the famed Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. This is a picture where the shepherd happened upon them about the time Israel became a nation again in 1948.
The picture above was taken at the Dead Sea. We had the option of taking a dip if we wanted to. I chose not to since we were heading from there to the airport. Many of of group did go in and floated. Some even mudded themselves. You cannot sink in the Dead Sea because it is so dense with salt. It is 9 times saltier than the Mediterranean. There was even some nuns in it. We were surprised!
Looking across the Dead Sea we could see Moab (present day Jordan) where Moses stood and look over at the location where we were as he got his first glimpse of the Promised Land. How sad that he never got to cross over the Dead Sea and experience it.
From there we thought we were headed to a restaurant to have dinner before boarding our plane for home, but were surprised to find out we were going to Zack's house where his wife prepared a wonderful Jewish dinner for the whole group. We were very humbled that they would do this for us. We got to meet his family. What a way to end the trip! Below you will see Zack and his family with Dylan (one of our young travelers). Dylan has on the Harvard shirt.
Well, this ends my story. As I said before, this is one of the highlights of my life. It has made the Bible even more real to me. Now when I do my daily Bible study, the verses just jump out at me. I did not just make a trip this time-I experienced one of the most meaningful journeys in my life. I hope to return again some day. Hope you can go too if it is your wish!
