ISRAEL UPDATE: Days 6-8 On Thursday we left the Salt Sea and headed north to go up to Jerusalem. On our way we stopped at Massada, the location where Jewish freedom fighters held out against the Romans for nearly three years. Massada was built by Herod the Great as a stronghold and refuge against rebellions that may take place. For the nearly 700 freedom fighters, it was a place where they would refuse to be overtaken by the 15,000 Roman soldiers that encircled the base of the mountain. After the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem in 70AD, freedom fighters and essenes alike lived on the impregnable fortress of Massada for nearly 3 years until the Roman soldiers built an enormous siege ramp that can still be seen today. For the Jews, they remember Massada much like Americans remember the Arizona at Pearl Harbor, Massada must not fall again is the phrase that is remembers by all Israelies. After a tremendous stop at Massada, we continued north to overlook Ein Gedi. This desert oasis is the location of many biblical stories, including where David cut a swath of King Sauls robe and later told Saul that he could have killed him but did not want to touch the Lords anointed king. Afterwards we continued north east up to Jerusalem, stopping at Wadi Qelt, the canyon that was the ancient way up to Jerusalem that Jesus would have traveled regularly. Afterwards, we arrived in the Holy City, Gods eternal city that He will make new in time to come. We stopped on the top of Mount of Olives where Jesus ascended into heaven and where He will descend just as he ascended. Overlooking the holy city we pointed out many locations and taught for a few minutes from a special overlook then descended the Mount of Olives to our bus then off for a quick shopping stop then to the hotel. On Friday we began our morning by stopping at the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations. We took some special time to pray in Gethsemane before our next stop. Next we made the two minute drive to the Western Wall (a.k.a. the Wailing Wall). Before going to the wall we went to the south west corner of Temple Mount (at the base, not on the mount itself) to teach about the place of trumpeting and the location of one of Jesus three temptations. Arriving at the wall, we taught about the wall and the reasons for the prayers at the wall for a few minutes then gave everyone time to go to the wall for themselves. The rabbi tunnels are right by the wall so we toured the tunnels next while our guide explained the expansion of Temple Mount under Herod the Great and the purpose of the passages we were walking in. From there we entered Bethlehem and had lunch before going to Shepherds Fields. This stop was packed with teaching and a renewal of wedding vows for a couple on our trip that will celebrate 40 years of marriage in April! We next went for some shopping at a very special store. The stores owners grandfather was responsible for bringing the Dead Sea scrolls to the world. Inside the shop was the original jar which held the incredibly famous Isaiah scroll! Lastly for the we said goodbye to our amazing guide Reuben and our bus driver Adi at a beautiful park overlooking Jerusalem. Yesterday (Saturday or Shabbat) was a free day. Twenty-four people from our group went on an off road Jeep tour of the Judean wilderness looking at two monasteries that are inaccessible other then by walking or off road Jeeps. Others from our group met with a missionary to the Jews here at the hotel. Others took the whole day to catch up on notes or rest and sleep a little to rest from the busy trip. I personally walked around in the Old City to continue to gain familiarity with this special place. Today (Sunday) we will visit Yad Vashem (the Holocaust museum and memorial), the Israel Museum which houses a first century model of Jerusalem and some of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Today should be another great day in Jerusalem!
Posted on: Sun, 09 Mar 2014 04:54:16 +0000