MY TRIP TO ISRAEL

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We could actually hear the Palestinian teenagers shout as they hurled rocks at the Israeli soldiers. The flashes of light from the rocket bombs were blinding our eyes. It sounded like gunfire was raging all around us. My head started pounding so I turned to Kristen and told her to turn down the volume of CNN blaring on our hotel TV. That was about as close as we got to any fighting in Israel. Looks like we bought those bullet proof vests for nothing!

There was one close call right on our bus. Our guide from Israel was a very brash, opinionated Jew.

He had very little tact (he once shushed a group of nuns telling them to be quiet while he was giving us information!) That was all very entertaining except that our bus driver was a Palestinian Muslim. A couple times I thought war was going to break out on our bus. I prayed for, got to witness to and give tracts to both these men. Pray for Isaac and Ali . . . can you figure out which is which?

When the fighting and bombing began a little under a month before our trip, I was initially a little worried. But after a day or so, God gave both Kristen and me such an unbelievable peace and even excitement about our "adventure." I never felt worried or in danger our whole trip. I was confident that if God had more in store for us, then there was not a thing any car bomb, rocket or Satan himself could do to us without God's permission. Jesus went to Jerusalem to die so I figured if it was our time, what better place to go. For most people, the worst that could happen to us is that we would be killed . . . and never experience any more hurt, back pain, traffic jams, SDG&E bills . . . and experience perfect peace, love and joy 100 times more spectacular than any roller coaster ride or breath taking sunset . . . AND get to see Jesus face to face! It was a no lose situation. As Paul said in Phil. 1:21, "To live is Christ and to die is even greater."

We met up with a tour group led by a Jewish Christian who was a Bible professor for 5 years with a Doctor's degree in archeology. I have not absorbed so much fascinating information since seminary!

We began in Galilee where Jesus spent 80% of his public ministry. The Sea of Galilee is breathtakingly beautiful as you look down from the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus gave the "Sermon on the Mount." That was the first time I was overwhelmed with tears of emotion as it dawned on me like a revelation directly from God that I was looking at the very place where Jesus was. No, not just the historical man named Jesus. This was the One I love and serve and have given my life to follow. The One who actually created the very soil I was standing on. This was the very spot God decided to come to on earth. I was transported back in time and overwhelmed.

The other time I was brought to tears was in the Garden of Gethsemane just down from the lookout over Jerusalem on the Mt. of Olives where Jesus wept over Jerusalem. Kristen and I prayed that we could have a broken heart for lost people like Jesus did. In the garden, Jesus knew He was facing the most painful death imaginable and prayed in agony to the point of sweating drops of blood. Now, I've sweat quite often playing sports but never drops of blood and never from praying so hard. As I looked at the very spot where Jesus was downcast, in anguish, yet determined to go to the cross for me, I was sad, felt so unworthy, yet overwhelmingly grateful that He would think of me and decide to die in agony in my place. This was where the mental, spiritual battle was fought and won even before Golgotha. Jesus chose to go to Hell for us rather than Heaven without us! He prayed, "Not my will, but Yours be done." Do we spend more time praying for things that bring US comfort or unselfishly praying for God's power and glory to be demonstrated.

Elijah was willing to stand in faith and take on the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel to demonstrate God's power. I was able to see the very spot where Elijah won a great victory for the Lord and then where he got PMS (Post Mt. Carmel Syndrome). How often do we win a victory or see God work mightily and then start to feel depressed and want to give up? We forget all too easily, the way God has worked powerfully in our life and around us.

The biggest let down for me was seeing the "official" spot where Jesus was buried and rose from the dead. There was a big Catholic-like church on the spot. Leading up to it is the "Via Dolorosa" (the path Christ took to the cross.) Only today it is a narrow paved walkway full of vendors and merchants selling souvenirs. The streets of Old Jerusalem are crowded with people and buildings, nothing like you would picture that hill called Golgotha in the 1st century. The church is full of ornaments, candles and paintings which distracted me from the meaning of what happened there. We waited some 20 minutes in line to go into the tomb area and once inside we saw more gaudy paraphernalia (my opinion.) It took me awhile to call on my imagination to even realize I was in a tomb. The "marketing" of the gospel reminded me of Jesus cleansing the temple and the money changers.

The most blatant irony and contrast was at the Jordan river. The spot commemorating where Jesus was baptized (but not really the exact spot) had metal rails winding back and forth where people could be baptized . . . for only 6 dollars. We were handed a post card with information on how we could get our very own "authentic" Biblical widow's mite coin for only $39.80 (retail value $81.)

In fact, almost every "holy" site had a church built to commemorate it supposedly on the exact spot where it happened. We went to Mt. Tabor where Jesus was transfigured and spoke with Moses and Elijah in Luke 9. Peter wanted to build 3 tabernacles, one for each of them, but was prevented from doing so. Of course, now there is a church on that exact spot which actually has a chapel inside built for Moses and one built for Elijah. Later we saw the Valley of Elah where David fought Goliath. We won't be sure of the exact location in the valley until someone builds a church!

Good thing that we don't have people "marketing" the gospel or revering buildings more than the Creator here in the states! HA! I guess it is a constant reminder that we need to worship the One who dwells not in temples made by man but rather who actually lives in our hearts. Aren't you glad He does? The same Jesus that walked on the soil in Israel isn't limited to that time and space . . . He lives right here with us right now! That is one reason it was the most inspirational and emotionally moving trip of my life!

Jerusalem, oh Jerusalem,

Why won't you believe in Him?

Don't you know, can't you see

Your King is this man from Galilee?


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