Hear O Israel

On our second day in Israel, we visited the Valley of Elah from 1 Samuel17, where David fought Goliath.

The highlight of the day was visiting the city of Bethlehem. Our tour guide, Yossi, was an Israeli citizen and therefore could not enter Bethlehem with us because it is Palestinian territory. That was so bizarre to me.

We visited the Church of the Nativity, a church the Catholics built over the location of the manger. Inside, people were proclaiming, “Merry Christmas!” and singing carols. Our group joined in, singing ‘Joy to the World’ and ‘Away in a Manger.’

   

For lunch, we had the opportunity to be fed by the local Christians at their restaurant. My favorite part of the meal was baklava! And yes, I ate all four of those. Gooooood.

The third day would have been easy to get discouraged over. It was pouring rain and freezing cold when we left our hotel. But I didn’t know our agenda for the day, and had I, no complaints would have ever entered my mind.

Our first stop was Temple Mount! Our group snuck a Bible past security so that we could read it while touring.

 

We saw the Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus healed the man who had been an invalid for 38 years (John 5). Just to even type that sentence takes my breath away. This is a place where Jesus HEALED! Anyway, so my mind is blown.

And the most spiritually touching place we visited, the Garden of Gethsemane. When we had time to quietly reflect on our own, I turned my Bible to Mark 14:32 and began reading. In verse 35, Jesus said, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.”

In verse 35, “Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. ‘Abba, Father,’ he said, ‘everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.’

It was so overwhelming to be there, reading the words Jesus prayed to God, and realizing his anguish. You couldn’t help but feel the Spirit, and that was something that brought tears to everyone’s eyes.

Remember what I said about the rain? When I was sitting on that bench in the Garden, the clouds parted and the sun beamed down. It was incredible.

After we left the Garden, we went up to the Mount of Olives. No big deal, it’s just where Jesus would go to spend time with God. (It does offer a great view of the city.)

When the rains came tumbling back down, we took shelter in the Upper Room, where many believe is the location of the Last Supper:

THEN, we feasted on schawarma, and I hereby declare that my life will never be the same.

 

But not just because of the schawarma.