|
|
|
|
|
|
No so many years ago I realized Israel was not only the most sacred place on earth to the Jewish people but the Arabs and Christians as well.
With that realization came an understanding as to “all the fuss” over a small piece of desert land known to be where Jesus lived, walked and was eventually crucified.
Like the Oklahoma Sooners of old, entire races of people want to stake their claim on the land of the Bible.
And if they can’t have it then they don’t want the Jews to have it either. Better yet, they say, let’s just annihilate them.
Rather ironic, isn’t it, that so much war goes on in the country of Jesus’ birth?
Speaking of Jesus, we were in Nazareth where Christ grew up.
You could call it his boyhood home, not too far from the Sea of Galilee and the beautiful hills that surround the city.
On these hillsides our group stood and read from the scriptures in Matthew 5 about the beatitudes.
Perhaps as a boy Jesus had been to Tiberias, the small city on the edge of the sea.
Standing on the mount of beatitudes with my Bible in hand and looking over at the glistening water being blown by a gentle breeze was about as awesome as awesome gets. Or so I thought.
After leaving that area, we traveled about a half mile to the absolutely gorgeous Sea of Galilee.
A boat was waiting to take us across to the other side, and we sang and read corresponding passages along the way.
We could see a couple of real fishermen out in their boats casting nets overboard to bring in their haul.
I could picture in my mind’s eye Peter and his crew out fishing all night long and catching nothing until Jesus instructed him to cast his net to the other side.
Well, other side, here we come. Other side of the sea that is.
Unbelievably breathtaking. Few sights in the world can compare.
Did I just say that awhile ago? Well, it will probably be said again, because there is so much to see.
We left for Jerusalem and passed through Cana, where Jesus performed his first miracle. There he turned the water into wine at a wedding.
By the way, he’s still performing miracles in married couples’ lives.
We also came to Masada, just a short distance from the Dead Sea.
By the way, the Dead Sea is an incredible spot to behold — no vegetation at all, and the rocks are crusted over with salt.
Imagine with me if you would, going back a couple of thousand years, a small but well-guarded caravan slips out of the city of seven hills after all the hubbub of the day had died down with the lights faded and darkness descending upon the city.
Quietly the massive gates are pushed open, and the long string of fugitives makes its way into the valley just outside the walls. Their leader was a powerfully built man in his 30s.
The soldiers fought off a couple of different bands of thieves trying to take what they had.
Having reached Masada, a young Herod gathered his family, gave necessary instructions, and headed off towards Egypt and on to Rome.
While in Alexandria, he meets and barters with Cleopatra for help.
The young queen, about three years his junior, received Herod with honor and made arrangements to send him on to Rome by sea.
Little did she know that in a few short years, they would be the bitterest of enemies.
Back to Masada. It has to be one of the great marvels of the world.
Herod spent years overseeing its construction, and it was a fortress to be reckoned with. It played a major role in the history of the Jews.
The market place in the old city of Jerusalem was an incredible experience.
You really felt like you were going back in time.
The merchants there love to bargain, so you leave with sacks filled and pocketbooks emptied.
Perhaps either the temple mount, the Western Wall or the Garden of Gethsemane was my favorite place in the old city.
Or was it the garden tomb or nearby Gordon’s Calvary?
I scarcely could take it all in on this one trip, so that‘s why I think I’m going back to the land that’s holy around resurrection time.
I just can’t wait.
Randy Sheridan of Burleson is a speaker, counselor and
mediator. He can be reached
at drsheridan@aol.com.
Top of Page
|
|
|
|
