Jason and I volunteer at the East Jerusalem School every Wednesday morning. This is a little snipit into the experiences.....
The day began differently as expected; after rushing to get Jason up and searching for our ride, we realized late that we had to run to the busses and get to East Jerusalem. After getting on the bus, we crossed our fingers and hoped our stop would be obvious; it was not. So, we then had an extra 15 minute walk to the school… only being 30 minutes late! Needless to say, it was an interesting start to the day. Then Jason and I were assigned to help four third graders with reading—four of the six we had last week. Anas, Admiral, Nadim, and Omar slowly read through a poem about never giving up. After a few minutes, it was Nadim’s turn to read. He could barely get through the first line. The other boys chuckled and whispered “it’s easy; I know this word!” while Nadim embarrassedly tried to sound out words with our help. Jason and I decided it would be best to separate the four into two, leaving me with the better of the four readers. As we returned the kids to the room, each boy was getting through paragraphs and reading much more confidently than before and I was struck by how effected they were by the other boys and the teacher; I guess that is one of the reasons why we are there. As we talked to the teacher, she was shocked that the boys could read at all. She told us that we would probably need to go back to the alphabet with them, but, when they were with us, they were reading paragraphs (slowly, mind you, but they were making progress). I was struck at the way the teacher’s attitude toward these boys affected their reading; they knew she did not expect anything from them, so they performed to that level. When Jason and I had confidence in them, they got better. When they were done with reading, we worked with three of the boys on math. We were working on subtracting and borrowing; once something was explained to them individually, they started understanding the concept. It was a competitive ordeal, but by the end of the period, the boys were starting to grasp the concepts on their own! Finally we worked on spelling with some of the fourth graders. One of the words was Massachusetts (I told them I did not even know how to spell it!) We started sounding out words, and I became aware of some of the difficult rules in the English language—I quickly became more thankful for growing up with this language. Then Jason came in and thought of a game for them to play... needless to say, he became their favorite. Even after the difficult morning, the day still turned into a blessed one.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Samurria (aka Samaria)
There is something peaceful about waking up to fog. As we hopped onto the bus in Jerusalem, everything seemed normal. The drive to Samaria—Ephraim and Manasseh quickly covered us in fog. Although we could not see the steep drops off the mountains, God’s glory was evident. Through the fog, God’s immensity shone through, His light engrossed us, and His beautiful creation surrounded us.
The Bible is full of conquest stories; stories of triumph and defeat. However, an important land—the land of Joseph’s son’s—does not have an official conquest story. Even though there isn’t an official biblical account of the story, there is plenty of evidence to tell it. Population density was discovered based on archaeological evidence. At the beginning of the Judges period, population was compact; not many people were settling in Ephraim. But, at the beginning of the monarchy, population expanded west, south, and north, showing that a new group was moving in to the land. There also are some bible verses that hint to a conquest (without specifically saying there was one). Joshua is full of events taking place in the lands of Ephraim and Manasseh. Interestingly, some of the major people of the land were buried in Ephraim. Joshua, the general, died at Timnah Serah; Joseph, the father of the land, was carried from Egypt to Ephraim to be buried, and Elazar, the high priest, was buried in Gibeah. This shows the importance of the land to the people—all of their leaders found final rest in Samaria. This shows the priority that was given to these lands in the Bible, even without a conquest account.
So why would the Biblical writers leave this out when they were recording scripture? It could have been that Shechem gave up when they saw Joshua’s troops coming, or that Joshua’s treaty with Gibeon carried over to Shechem since they were both Hivite territories. Most likely though, Joshua considered Ephraim already as his people’s land because of their ancestors. Maybe the biblical writers thought, “we have always been here. Why write an extra chapter about it?” Whatever the reasons, the land was clearly important to the story of Israel. God showed favor to the land of Joseph, “Blessed by the LORD be his land, with the choicest gifts of heaven above…they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh” (Deuteronomy 33.13, 17). So what made God move his blessing to Judah? Shiloh and Jerusalem have many similarities, which is probably why it was chosen for the tabernacle (or rather, why Jerusalem was chosen for the permanent temple). But the people of Joseph rebelled against God after He had “led them in safety, so that they were no afraid” and “he brought them to his holy land, to the mountain which his right hand had won” (Psalm 78.52-54). So God was angry and “forsook his dwelling at Shiloh, the tent where he dwelt among mankind, and delivered his power to captivity, his glory to the hand of the foe” (59-61). He chose Judah because Ephraim and Manasseh rejected him.
As humans do, Judah also tested and rebelled against God. But God kept his promise to the people of Judah and sent the ultimate high priest to save his people. Hebrews 9 goes into detail on the importance of Jesus in comparison to the tabernacle.
Once a high priest needed to intercede for our sins, but now Jesus is in the eternal sacrifice for our sins: “for Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf” (vs. 24).
Our day started in the murky and confusing fog of creation. As we journeyed through the land of Joseph, drank from Jacob’s well, where Jesus announces that he is the Messiah (John 4.26), and ended in the place of the tabernacle, I could clearly see again. We were all surrounded by fog, unknowing of the cliffs and beautiful creation that lie on the other side; but now, because Jesus paid the ultimate price on our behalf, the fog has been lifted so we can clearly see.
The Bible is full of conquest stories; stories of triumph and defeat. However, an important land—the land of Joseph’s son’s—does not have an official conquest story. Even though there isn’t an official biblical account of the story, there is plenty of evidence to tell it. Population density was discovered based on archaeological evidence. At the beginning of the Judges period, population was compact; not many people were settling in Ephraim. But, at the beginning of the monarchy, population expanded west, south, and north, showing that a new group was moving in to the land. There also are some bible verses that hint to a conquest (without specifically saying there was one). Joshua is full of events taking place in the lands of Ephraim and Manasseh. Interestingly, some of the major people of the land were buried in Ephraim. Joshua, the general, died at Timnah Serah; Joseph, the father of the land, was carried from Egypt to Ephraim to be buried, and Elazar, the high priest, was buried in Gibeah. This shows the importance of the land to the people—all of their leaders found final rest in Samaria. This shows the priority that was given to these lands in the Bible, even without a conquest account.
So why would the Biblical writers leave this out when they were recording scripture? It could have been that Shechem gave up when they saw Joshua’s troops coming, or that Joshua’s treaty with Gibeon carried over to Shechem since they were both Hivite territories. Most likely though, Joshua considered Ephraim already as his people’s land because of their ancestors. Maybe the biblical writers thought, “we have always been here. Why write an extra chapter about it?” Whatever the reasons, the land was clearly important to the story of Israel. God showed favor to the land of Joseph, “Blessed by the LORD be his land, with the choicest gifts of heaven above…they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh” (Deuteronomy 33.13, 17). So what made God move his blessing to Judah? Shiloh and Jerusalem have many similarities, which is probably why it was chosen for the tabernacle (or rather, why Jerusalem was chosen for the permanent temple). But the people of Joseph rebelled against God after He had “led them in safety, so that they were no afraid” and “he brought them to his holy land, to the mountain which his right hand had won” (Psalm 78.52-54). So God was angry and “forsook his dwelling at Shiloh, the tent where he dwelt among mankind, and delivered his power to captivity, his glory to the hand of the foe” (59-61). He chose Judah because Ephraim and Manasseh rejected him.
As humans do, Judah also tested and rebelled against God. But God kept his promise to the people of Judah and sent the ultimate high priest to save his people. Hebrews 9 goes into detail on the importance of Jesus in comparison to the tabernacle.
But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.
Hebrews9.11-13
Once a high priest needed to intercede for our sins, but now Jesus is in the eternal sacrifice for our sins: “for Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf” (vs. 24).
Our day started in the murky and confusing fog of creation. As we journeyed through the land of Joseph, drank from Jacob’s well, where Jesus announces that he is the Messiah (John 4.26), and ended in the place of the tabernacle, I could clearly see again. We were all surrounded by fog, unknowing of the cliffs and beautiful creation that lie on the other side; but now, because Jesus paid the ultimate price on our behalf, the fog has been lifted so we can clearly see.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Benjamin: the land between
The contrast was unavoidable. Benjamin is chalk full of different springs, tells, and limestone. As we trekked over hills and down valleys, I was struck by the vast differences throughout the land. The trip showed me the importance of this land in Biblical times and today.
The day started in on an outlook just west of New Testament Jericho. We climbed through the Wadi Qilt surrounded by senonian limestone hills. The same wilderness that our ancestors wandered for forty years and the same place that Jesus was tempted; this wilderness was underneath my feet. With Jerusalem behind us and Jericho to the east, we were off to explore the land of Benjamin.
Jericho is an oasis ten miles east of Jerusalem. It has three natural springs that allows for the city to be almost entirely self-sufficient. This made Jericho the perfect place to build an army camp, as Joshua did with his troops. It is the gateway to the east and essential to control if one wanted access to trade routes and Asia. We also looked at the supposed wall that would have surrounded the city. It was interesting to discover that the wall was dated to one thousand years before the time of Joshua. This is cause to much debate over the legitimacy of this Biblical story.
After a long stop, taking pictures and exploring Herod’s temple, we edged our way back to the bus. On our way to Old Testament Jericho, we got the best surprise of all: Dr. Wright was making witty jokes (as always!) and made a comment about Band-Aids. Then, much to our joyous surprise, he pulled out a bag of chocolate chip cookies! With a renewed spirit and full tummies, we headed to our next stop.
We climbed up a steep mountain to reach to other side of the hill. We learned about the importance of wells in the wilderness. The land is only good for shepherds and their flock. We were able to stumble upon a well and learn of important well stories in the Bible. Shepherds still use these wells as they were used in the Bible (except probably not for romantic purposes…). Many of the “greats” in the Bible met their wife at a well. In a land of wilderness, wells can be living water and also a future.
Then we hiked to the top of Navi Samuel, the highest point in Benjamin. We heard of the conquests of Joshua and Asa, and the importance of the central Benjamin plateau: ability to become international. It is so crucial to the survival of Jerusalem—without control over the central Benjamin plateau, Jerusalem would have no access to resources outside their own countryside. We also overlooked Mitzpah, Ramah (hometown of Samuel), and Gibeah (hometown of Saul).
We ended our day watching the sunset over the hills of Gezer. Gezer’s landscape is completely different from the hill country of Judah. Located in the Shephelah, it has ample farming land and green trees. We were all shocked at the stark contrast between Jerusalem and Gezer. Gezer is the western entrance into Benjamin, the most heavily used due to its proximity to the coast. It was the perfect way to end a day through Benjamin
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Yom Kippur
As the sun rose over the wilderness of East Jerusalem, I was struck by the silence it was leaving behind. The rising sun was welcoming all Jews to the day before Yom Kippur--the last day to atone for sins done to your fellow man. My friends and I looked on, gazing at the serenity of a sunrise over desert mountains. As we trekked to a lookout point facing the Old City, we once again were reminded of the nature of Yom Kippur: silent. We watched the sun hit the Old City; the Dome glowed and the walls, broad and tall, stood valiantly to face a new day.
It was the perfect way to start a day- 4:15 wake up call, becoming alarm clocks for sleepy boys, literally running to the top of the Mt. of Olives, and embracing the sunrise over the desert wilderness and the OC. And then coffee and parfaits with two of my dear friends, Amy and Amelia at Aroma Coffeeshop, followed by 1.5 Harry Potter movies... all before noon. This perfect day was continued with three games of Ultimate Frisbee, Skype date with Nathan and chatting with my Mom.
Finally, Shabbat brought in Yom Kippur, the day of atonement. On this day, Jews fast from all worldly pleasures to confess their sins to God. It is full of intensive prayer and multiple services in the synagogue. Jews pray for forgiveness for their past year and pray for a better year ahead; on Yom Kippur, Jews believe, God seals their fate for the next year, prosperous or difficult.
Psalm 51 is commonly read:
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. ... Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
As Christians, we remember that Jesus, once and for all, atoned for our sins. Jesus is the High Priest, the one that sacrifices on behalf of His people. We know that Jesus is the ultimate and final sacrifice. He is the only one that can atone for our sins because He prayed on behalf of His people; prayed and responded to the need of His people. Jesus gave us life because of His sacrifice.
"In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.
We have this this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."Hebrews 5-7
I could go on and on through Hebrews. If you want to fully understand Yom Kippur, read Leviticus 16 and then Hebrews. I am going to a synagogue later tonight, right before sundown, to hear of the salvation that God will bring to the Jews. The salvation we know has already come through Jesus Christ. Because of this knowledge we must constantly pray for God's mercy on His people; that he will uncover the veil blinding them from knowing the truth that is Jesus Christ. We must pray for our Jewish, Muslim, atheist, Buddhist, anything brothers and sisters. Jesus has atoned for their sins so they may walk in the light of life.
For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Jerusalem Approaches Field Study for 9/11
The sun rose slowly over Jerusalem, bringing the rest of Shabbat. We watched with expectation on the Mount of Olives as the horizons cleared and the city came to life… well, as much life that encapsulates Shabbat. The early, peaceful beginning was the perfect way to remember rest as we were about to embark on our next field study around Jerusalem.
The Mount of Olives shields Jerusalem from the desert wasteland just a few miles south of the city. From the Mount, Israel seems to be a budding, vibrant city; as soon as you cross over on the other side, all that is seen is bare. “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore” Psalm 125.2 (English Standard Version). Jerusalem is prey to the surrounding mountains and its vulnerability to possible invaders. This required the Jews to completely rely on God for protection. I was struck by the vividness of this Psalm while gazing over the great city. The Lord surrounds His people completely; how wonderful to be part of His flock!
The next stop overlooked the Temple Mount on the Mount of Olives, Dominus Flevit Church, and the garden of Gethsemane. Dominus Flevit Church commemorates when Jesus wept. The importance of the verse was justified by the humility of the Church. The scenery was breathtaking, but all visitors could not help but remember those two words: Jesus wept. We gathered again to walk to the garden of Gethsemane. The trees, sturdy and wise, seemed to give a glimpse of the struggle of Jesus’ final moments. As sweat dripped from our foreheads, all I could remember was the sweats of blood dripping from Jesus’ own forehead, as He accepted the Father’s will and sacrificed Himself. A sign posted inside the garden quoted from Matthew and then said: “O Jesus, in deepest night and agony You spoke these words of trust and surrender to God the Father in Gethsemane. In love and gratitude I want to say in times of fear and distress, ‘My father, I do not understand You, but I trust You’.” The garden is such a beautiful reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice and a conviction as to how we are to live our lives.
After a quick stop at the Kidron Valley tombs (and a lesson on dating archeological remains), we sped off in our bus to Herodium. It was so exciting to see this ancient palace. Herod was an architectural genius! With great positioning, it overlooked the desert to one side (“Valley of the shadow of death”, Psalm 23) and Jerusalem to the other. The hike up to the top was the perfect way to capture the vastness of Israel and Herodium.
We ended our day in Bethlehem at the supposed place of Jesus’ birth. During our talk, I learned that there is a valid possibility that Jesus was born in the stable of one of his relative’s houses. The word “inn” would have meant a gathering place, and since Joseph and Mary were going to Bethlehem because that was his home, most likely they would have stayed with family. I always pictured a hotel-style building when reading the birth narrative; now I will imagine Jesus in the backyard of his relatives, secluded from the racket of a busy home. As we walked through the church, I was shocked at its gaudiness. There are ornaments everywhere, bright lights, and gold at every turn. These displays have continued to shock me throughout my time here. All the Holy Sites are covered in fancy and expensive things—things I am not sure Jesus would want to be used to remember Him. This is one of the struggles and questions I will have to seek an answer to for the rest of my time in Israel.
Overall, our field study throughout Jerusalem was yet another reminder of the importance of geography to God’s people. God is constantly taking care of His children even though we continually turn away from Him. The Lord surrounds His people, just as His land surrounds them; a perfect reminder that is always present.
The Mount of Olives shields Jerusalem from the desert wasteland just a few miles south of the city. From the Mount, Israel seems to be a budding, vibrant city; as soon as you cross over on the other side, all that is seen is bare. “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore” Psalm 125.2 (English Standard Version). Jerusalem is prey to the surrounding mountains and its vulnerability to possible invaders. This required the Jews to completely rely on God for protection. I was struck by the vividness of this Psalm while gazing over the great city. The Lord surrounds His people completely; how wonderful to be part of His flock!
The next stop overlooked the Temple Mount on the Mount of Olives, Dominus Flevit Church, and the garden of Gethsemane. Dominus Flevit Church commemorates when Jesus wept. The importance of the verse was justified by the humility of the Church. The scenery was breathtaking, but all visitors could not help but remember those two words: Jesus wept. We gathered again to walk to the garden of Gethsemane. The trees, sturdy and wise, seemed to give a glimpse of the struggle of Jesus’ final moments. As sweat dripped from our foreheads, all I could remember was the sweats of blood dripping from Jesus’ own forehead, as He accepted the Father’s will and sacrificed Himself. A sign posted inside the garden quoted from Matthew and then said: “O Jesus, in deepest night and agony You spoke these words of trust and surrender to God the Father in Gethsemane. In love and gratitude I want to say in times of fear and distress, ‘My father, I do not understand You, but I trust You’.” The garden is such a beautiful reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice and a conviction as to how we are to live our lives.
After a quick stop at the Kidron Valley tombs (and a lesson on dating archeological remains), we sped off in our bus to Herodium. It was so exciting to see this ancient palace. Herod was an architectural genius! With great positioning, it overlooked the desert to one side (“Valley of the shadow of death”, Psalm 23) and Jerusalem to the other. The hike up to the top was the perfect way to capture the vastness of Israel and Herodium.
We ended our day in Bethlehem at the supposed place of Jesus’ birth. During our talk, I learned that there is a valid possibility that Jesus was born in the stable of one of his relative’s houses. The word “inn” would have meant a gathering place, and since Joseph and Mary were going to Bethlehem because that was his home, most likely they would have stayed with family. I always pictured a hotel-style building when reading the birth narrative; now I will imagine Jesus in the backyard of his relatives, secluded from the racket of a busy home. As we walked through the church, I was shocked at its gaudiness. There are ornaments everywhere, bright lights, and gold at every turn. These displays have continued to shock me throughout my time here. All the Holy Sites are covered in fancy and expensive things—things I am not sure Jesus would want to be used to remember Him. This is one of the struggles and questions I will have to seek an answer to for the rest of my time in Israel.
Overall, our field study throughout Jerusalem was yet another reminder of the importance of geography to God’s people. God is constantly taking care of His children even though we continually turn away from Him. The Lord surrounds His people, just as His land surrounds them; a perfect reminder that is always present.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Late Post for 9/5
Field Study into the Old City: Part Two
“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore” (Psalm 121, ESV).
I have heard this Psalm quoted my entire life—especially when making big decisions or maneuvering through life’s changes. It was not until my second organized trip into the Old City, did I make sense of this Psalm. As we stood at the highest point in the supposed ruins of King David’s Palace, I felt so small. Mountains are towering over every point of the palace. As David wrote this Psalm, he was calling to the LORD for help from his enemies, because without help from the LORD, Israel would be destroyed. David—and all of Israel—needed to depend on the LORD for safety. Now this verse actually makes sense. My eyes are awakening to the connection between God, His people, and His land.
We started our day at the Temple Mount, which also was one of my favorite parts of the trip. As we climbed on some of the stone used to build this incredible structure, I was in awe of its massiveness. How could something so large have been built--and then destroyed--without cranes or bulldozers? We were able to climb down the steps from the ritual cleansing tub and I was able to almost imagine what it would be like for a Jewish man in ancient times. We then made our way over to the southern steps leading up to the Temple. This is how Jesus, his disciples, and all other Jews would have ascended to the Temple. Our group was told to make note of each step, for they were placed strategically. Each step has an associated prayer (Psalm) that is meant to be prayed as you crossed it. They are called the Psalms of Ascent, Psalms 120-134. As discussed before, I have read these Psalms since I was little—how have I missed the significance and connection they each have to the preservation of Jerusalem and the Temple? Sitting on these very steps, learning about the Temple and Jesus’ fulfillment of so many promises, allowed me to picture him cleansing the Temple, listening to teachers, and praying to God the same way we did.
After the Temple, we walked through the Arab quarter to get to the Pools of Bethesda and St. Anne’s Cathedral. John 5 described it as a place where “a multitude of invalids” would come to be healed. Here, Jesus healed a man who had been sick for thirty-eight years. “Get up, take up your bed, and walk” (John 5.8). The Bible talks about places for the sick many times, but I never would have imagined them to be so small and tight. These places must have been filled with the needy—which must have been why Jesus would always go to them. We walked into the cathedral for a beautiful time of worship and sang one of my favorite hymns, “Come Thou Fount.” The last stanza of the song reads: Prone to wander, Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love. Take my heart Lord, take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above. What a better place to sing of our need for redemption than a place known for healing? We all were off key, but we sounded like angels, and I could almost hear the voice of the crippled man still singing praises to Jesus.
After lunch, we were able to explore Hezekiah’s tunnel and David’s palace. We saw what was actually used to save God’s people; ways that the Israelites were able to defend themselves which placing all dependency on God. The tunnel, so small and tight, was able to keep Israel alive. Both places have so much history in them, that it was almost overwhelming to keep track of it all. The cool part is that the Bible has a lot of the same information within its pages.
Walking around the Old City again allowed me to learn more of the incredible designs the Israelites used to live. As I looked around my group praising God in the cathedral, I realized that I am beginning to learn what the Bible is meant to say. I am able to see the Holy Land, be surrounded by a community of His chosen, and see How God is continually upholding His promises to His people.
“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore” (Psalm 121, ESV).
I have heard this Psalm quoted my entire life—especially when making big decisions or maneuvering through life’s changes. It was not until my second organized trip into the Old City, did I make sense of this Psalm. As we stood at the highest point in the supposed ruins of King David’s Palace, I felt so small. Mountains are towering over every point of the palace. As David wrote this Psalm, he was calling to the LORD for help from his enemies, because without help from the LORD, Israel would be destroyed. David—and all of Israel—needed to depend on the LORD for safety. Now this verse actually makes sense. My eyes are awakening to the connection between God, His people, and His land.
We started our day at the Temple Mount, which also was one of my favorite parts of the trip. As we climbed on some of the stone used to build this incredible structure, I was in awe of its massiveness. How could something so large have been built--and then destroyed--without cranes or bulldozers? We were able to climb down the steps from the ritual cleansing tub and I was able to almost imagine what it would be like for a Jewish man in ancient times. We then made our way over to the southern steps leading up to the Temple. This is how Jesus, his disciples, and all other Jews would have ascended to the Temple. Our group was told to make note of each step, for they were placed strategically. Each step has an associated prayer (Psalm) that is meant to be prayed as you crossed it. They are called the Psalms of Ascent, Psalms 120-134. As discussed before, I have read these Psalms since I was little—how have I missed the significance and connection they each have to the preservation of Jerusalem and the Temple? Sitting on these very steps, learning about the Temple and Jesus’ fulfillment of so many promises, allowed me to picture him cleansing the Temple, listening to teachers, and praying to God the same way we did.
After the Temple, we walked through the Arab quarter to get to the Pools of Bethesda and St. Anne’s Cathedral. John 5 described it as a place where “a multitude of invalids” would come to be healed. Here, Jesus healed a man who had been sick for thirty-eight years. “Get up, take up your bed, and walk” (John 5.8). The Bible talks about places for the sick many times, but I never would have imagined them to be so small and tight. These places must have been filled with the needy—which must have been why Jesus would always go to them. We walked into the cathedral for a beautiful time of worship and sang one of my favorite hymns, “Come Thou Fount.” The last stanza of the song reads: Prone to wander, Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love. Take my heart Lord, take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above. What a better place to sing of our need for redemption than a place known for healing? We all were off key, but we sounded like angels, and I could almost hear the voice of the crippled man still singing praises to Jesus.
After lunch, we were able to explore Hezekiah’s tunnel and David’s palace. We saw what was actually used to save God’s people; ways that the Israelites were able to defend themselves which placing all dependency on God. The tunnel, so small and tight, was able to keep Israel alive. Both places have so much history in them, that it was almost overwhelming to keep track of it all. The cool part is that the Bible has a lot of the same information within its pages.
Walking around the Old City again allowed me to learn more of the incredible designs the Israelites used to live. As I looked around my group praising God in the cathedral, I realized that I am beginning to learn what the Bible is meant to say. I am able to see the Holy Land, be surrounded by a community of His chosen, and see How God is continually upholding His promises to His people.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Here we go!
So, I have to write Impression papers of our field studies, so I decided to post them as they are written. This one was from Sunday when we took our first organized trip into the Old City, which is about a five minute walk from the JUC gate. Enjoy!
Today was the first field study of many. Seeing the Old City is overwhelming at first. The constant banter of the shop keepers (in a language I do not understand), the combination of dust, stone, and heat beat on you as you make your way through packed streets cluttered with people. Is this what Jerusalem was like when Jesus was here?
Our study started just inside the Jaffa Gate, looking at “David’s Tower.” I quickly learned there is no historical evidence that David used this tower—archeologists even know where he most likely lived. Even though this is not an actual tower of David, people still come to it, remembering the great King David. It was interesting to find out, though, that this supposed “Tower of David” was probably built by Herod for one of his close comrades. I am quickly learning that places are good for remembrance, even if they are not historically accurate.
After gazing at the tower, we hiked to the Western Wall. The vastness of the wall is inconceivable. It is incredibly holy to Jews, and has been cause to much conflict between the Jews and Muslims over the years. I was shocked to find out that a multi-day brawl broke out in 2000 because some young Muslim men were throwing rocks from the top of the wall to the floor of the prayer spaces. This tension is so obvious here; the different religions want access (and control) over all the land, but are unwilling to share with others. Everyone feels obligation to the land and the tension is so evident throughout the entire city—but especially the Western Wall.
We then walked through the Jewish Quarter. Just like any other city, each “group” has their own quarter of town. There is no requirement to be part of a religion to live in that quarter, but it is common for the majority to flock to their own quarter. Then we went to the Jerusalem Cardo built by Hadrian. I learned that Hadrian conquered Israel and wanted to spread Roman influence across the globe. So, he tore down holy places and mocked their importance. For example, when he conquered Israel, he tore down the Dome of the Rock and built a statue to Venus. He also changed the way many streets were built. The Cardo looks like a street one would find in Rome: wide lanes, columns, and spread out. Streets in Jerusalem would have been skinny, stone buildings built on the side of the street, and cramped. The differences in architecture between cities have become obvious in my short time here.
Then we went to the supposed place of the Last Supper. We were able to see almost all of Jerusalem from the roof—and it allowed me to paint a picture of Jesus’ last days on earth. I learned that the building used to recognize the Last Supper used to be a mosque. Once again, the architecture differed greatly from what it would have been in Jesus’ day.
Finally, we ended at the Church of the Holy Sceplicure. Being brought up in a western protestant tradition, I am more interested in the the meaning of holy places, not necessarily the actual spot. However, walking into the Church showed me how different people appreciate places in the Bible. I learned that the Church is owned by six different Christian denominations. Each one fights over ownership of the building, so a decree had to be put in place to ensure the longevity of the building. It is almost embarrassing that regulations had to be put on the Church and the keys given to a Muslim family, so that the Christians did not lash out against each other. However, I did enjoy the story of the ladder on the roof: the decree was that nothing was allowed to be moved-ever- so the denominations would not fight over the things in the Church. After the decree was put forth, a ladder was found on the outside of the building, straddling a dividing line between two denominations… and it is still there from the late 1800s.
I was amazed at the displays built to show the holy grounds of Jesus. I was able to touch the supposed spot of Jesus’ cross, which almost brought tears to my eyes. One must look at this spot with deep humility; no longer is it simply a story in a big book. Jesus actually died a humiliating death on a cross, and we are able to touch the probable spot today. When I walked down the stairs to the spot where the women anointed Jesus, I was amazed at the number of people kissing the stone. But then, I saw the tomb, full of candles, gifts, and tears. The place our Savior was laid to rest… and more importantly, the place where he would have arose from the dead! Hallelujah!
Although it is hard to picture these places without the massive church surrounding them, I was still able to be amazed at the history in the building. I have always pictured Calvary, the anointing spot, and the tomb to be far from each other. I was struck by how close they actually might have been. Seeing these holy sites put into perspective the historical and emotional importance of the Old City. I cannot wait to learn more!
Today was the first field study of many. Seeing the Old City is overwhelming at first. The constant banter of the shop keepers (in a language I do not understand), the combination of dust, stone, and heat beat on you as you make your way through packed streets cluttered with people. Is this what Jerusalem was like when Jesus was here?
Our study started just inside the Jaffa Gate, looking at “David’s Tower.” I quickly learned there is no historical evidence that David used this tower—archeologists even know where he most likely lived. Even though this is not an actual tower of David, people still come to it, remembering the great King David. It was interesting to find out, though, that this supposed “Tower of David” was probably built by Herod for one of his close comrades. I am quickly learning that places are good for remembrance, even if they are not historically accurate.
After gazing at the tower, we hiked to the Western Wall. The vastness of the wall is inconceivable. It is incredibly holy to Jews, and has been cause to much conflict between the Jews and Muslims over the years. I was shocked to find out that a multi-day brawl broke out in 2000 because some young Muslim men were throwing rocks from the top of the wall to the floor of the prayer spaces. This tension is so obvious here; the different religions want access (and control) over all the land, but are unwilling to share with others. Everyone feels obligation to the land and the tension is so evident throughout the entire city—but especially the Western Wall.
We then walked through the Jewish Quarter. Just like any other city, each “group” has their own quarter of town. There is no requirement to be part of a religion to live in that quarter, but it is common for the majority to flock to their own quarter. Then we went to the Jerusalem Cardo built by Hadrian. I learned that Hadrian conquered Israel and wanted to spread Roman influence across the globe. So, he tore down holy places and mocked their importance. For example, when he conquered Israel, he tore down the Dome of the Rock and built a statue to Venus. He also changed the way many streets were built. The Cardo looks like a street one would find in Rome: wide lanes, columns, and spread out. Streets in Jerusalem would have been skinny, stone buildings built on the side of the street, and cramped. The differences in architecture between cities have become obvious in my short time here.
Then we went to the supposed place of the Last Supper. We were able to see almost all of Jerusalem from the roof—and it allowed me to paint a picture of Jesus’ last days on earth. I learned that the building used to recognize the Last Supper used to be a mosque. Once again, the architecture differed greatly from what it would have been in Jesus’ day.
Finally, we ended at the Church of the Holy Sceplicure. Being brought up in a western protestant tradition, I am more interested in the the meaning of holy places, not necessarily the actual spot. However, walking into the Church showed me how different people appreciate places in the Bible. I learned that the Church is owned by six different Christian denominations. Each one fights over ownership of the building, so a decree had to be put in place to ensure the longevity of the building. It is almost embarrassing that regulations had to be put on the Church and the keys given to a Muslim family, so that the Christians did not lash out against each other. However, I did enjoy the story of the ladder on the roof: the decree was that nothing was allowed to be moved-ever- so the denominations would not fight over the things in the Church. After the decree was put forth, a ladder was found on the outside of the building, straddling a dividing line between two denominations… and it is still there from the late 1800s.
I was amazed at the displays built to show the holy grounds of Jesus. I was able to touch the supposed spot of Jesus’ cross, which almost brought tears to my eyes. One must look at this spot with deep humility; no longer is it simply a story in a big book. Jesus actually died a humiliating death on a cross, and we are able to touch the probable spot today. When I walked down the stairs to the spot where the women anointed Jesus, I was amazed at the number of people kissing the stone. But then, I saw the tomb, full of candles, gifts, and tears. The place our Savior was laid to rest… and more importantly, the place where he would have arose from the dead! Hallelujah!
Although it is hard to picture these places without the massive church surrounding them, I was still able to be amazed at the history in the building. I have always pictured Calvary, the anointing spot, and the tomb to be far from each other. I was struck by how close they actually might have been. Seeing these holy sites put into perspective the historical and emotional importance of the Old City. I cannot wait to learn more!
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