Wednesday, April 22, 2009

After morning devotions, during which Pastor Graig had us reflecting on Psalm 147 and its meaning for Jerusalem and those who are drawn to it, we began exploration of the western and southern walls of the Temple Mount. We started the day in the “Rabbi’s Tunnel,” a relatively recent tunnel that follows the northern part of the “Western Wall,” known to many as the “Wailing Wall” and the holiest site in the world for Jews because it is the structure closest to the place the Temple used to be. After a thorough and incredibly informative tour of the tunnel, many of us stopped to pray at the “Western Wall” with the many Jewish people praying as well.

We left the Western Wall Plaza and took a trip through the ruins around the southern wall of the “Temple Mount” including some steps where Jesus actually walked, leading up to and down from the Temple Mount. We have developed a

“P Scale” for the sites we are seeing, leaning on the wisdom of guide Julie and Dr. Bob Anderson:
“Is it Provable… Probable… Possible… or Preposterous?”
Some of these steps are in the first category, “provable”… 2000-year-old steps from the time of Herod the Great… and Jesus.

We climbed out of the ruins and spent about an hour at the “Temple Institute,” where the elements of the temple are being prepared for the construction of the Third Temple, should that opportunity arise. The hope of devout Jews, as well as their devotion to the Temple, was evident in the presentation of the young Israeli woman who shared with us.

We proceeded past the control area and through the security wall into the West Bank for a visit to Bethlehem. Lunch was enjoyed at a very nice restaurant in Bethlehem, owned by the Canawati family, Palestinian Christians who are influential in Bethlehem. Later Mike Canawati would welcome us into the family souvenir shop “Three Arches,” where we all shopped and bought the myriad of gifts you will likely be receiving when we get home or for Christmas. The Canawatis have owned this beautiful store for three generations and they are making a significant impact for Christ in Bethlehem.

Previous to our shopping, though, came another highlight: visiting the Church of the Nativity, a “Probable” site, even though the multiple churches built above the cave/stable where Jesus was likely born make the site feel more ritualistic than authentic. Portions of this church make this the oldest ongoing church structure, dating to about AD 325. In a grotto under the church, an extension of the cave where Jesus was born, “POD” (Pastor of the Day) Graig led us in a devotion on Bethlehem and Christ, after which we sang some Christmas hymns (“O Little Town of Bethlehem,” “Away in a Manger” and “Silent Night”). After exiting the church we saw the fields where the shepherds likely tended their flocks, as well as the traditional fields where Ruth and Boaz lived, human forebears of David – who was also born in Bethlehem – and Jesus Himself.

Our shopping concluded the day we enjoyed another terrific meal at the Ambassador and then met with Presbyterian mission representative Douglas Dicks, who described our denomination’s ministry in the Middle East and something of the complicated ongoing conflict between the Palestinians and the Israelis.

Tomorrow: the Temple Mount and the Mount of Olives!

~ Clergy Comments ~

Today was a bit of a challenging day with the heat in Jerusalem, and the walking we did through and around the Old City. I am impressed by the spirit of the group; helping one another up long stairs, sitting and resting as necessary, encouraging and supporting one another. Truly we are becoming a community, “By this shall all know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” – John 13:34. Thank you for your continued prayers for us. - Bruce