"O Jerusalem,
Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her!~ How
often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her
brood under her wings, and you would not have it! Behold, your house is left to
you desolate; and I say to you, you will not see Me until the time comes when
you say 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!'" (Luke
13:34)
Hey Gang: The living
units at tel Tamar have been repaired sufficiently for the next crew to come in
and have place to live while they do major surgery to the facilities. Most of the junk from the previous wars that were
fought here has been removed to the desert and the walls renovated. We were more than a little pleased with
ourselves with what we had accomplished in four days of sun up to sundown
labors.
And now it was time to put the grubbies and away, hit the
road and visit those places where Jesus walked.
Traveling to Jerusalem we will pass by the Dead Sea - and sort of swim,
also and Ein Gedi, the place where David hid from King Saul, before climbing the
mountain of Masada. We were privileged
to be on the top of Masada when the Israeli Defense Force graduating pilots’
class were getting their wings and heard them shout, "Never Again Will There be a Masada". (If you
have never read or heard the story of Masada it is a story worth your
time). We also learned the 91st Psalm is
the backbone of the IDF.
Aside: I mentioned in
the last blog that I wanted to share a story about a lady named Barbara but
after several attempts to keep it under several pages and failing, I think it
is best to remain on track and perhaps do a separate blog on Barbara at a later
date.
We arrived in Jerusalem in time to check into the Hilton
Hotel which is located at the apex of Mt Zion.
I confess, Jerusalem is my least favorite place in Israel due to its
commercialism, crowded conditions and noise.
But there were several things that got deep into my mind and heart. Friday is Shabbat and, although most Jews are
not believers, Shabbat is honored. To
stand on the balcony of the seventh floor of the Hilton and literally watch the
city of Jerusalem shut down was a very awesome and neat experience.
The rich Jews check into hotels in the city so they can
continue to enjoy the bangles and beads they enjoy. But the evening meal was special for us. The hotel had filled the dining room with
large tables, each one designed to accommodate a family. It was wonderful to watch the patriarch of
the family bless his children and then each son bless his children, even three generations. I know we are not to envy, but as I sat and
watched that process, I envied them.
After a couple days of visiting the various very special
sites in Jerusalem, we boarded the bus once again and headed for our favorite
place in Israel, Galilee. We love
Galilee because it is there that Jesus spent his entire ministry and it is non
commercial. Again it would be nice to
share every moment that we have walked the shore of the Sea of Chinnereth/Galilee. There was no other place where we felt as
close to Jesus as at those times.
One morning I woke very early and was blessed to see the
fisherman preparing their nets to go out into the deep and collect their catch
for the day. Nothing has really change
since the days that Peter, Andrew, sons of Jonas, and James and John the Sons
of Zebedee tended their nets. While
there a magnificent event occurred. Due
to receding waters in the Chinnereth, a ‘Peter Boat was discovered’. It was quickly identified as one that very
likely was used during the time that Jesus walked the shore of the Sea and the
disciples were fishermen of fish and not men.
The boat is now in a museum protected against further decay and
vandalism.
It has been a joy for me to be able to go back to Israel in
my memories. I love the verse in
Revelation that is a very distinct promise for all those who committed their
lives to Jesus and lived lives of obedience and service to Him, "And he carried me away in the
Spirit to a great and high mountain, and slowed me the holy city, Jerusalem
coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God. Her brilliance was like a very costly stone,
as a crystal-clear jasper". (Rev.
21:10-11).
Blessings,
Gramps
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