Hello, my fellow pilgrims! Are you excited to see where our adventures on day 8 of our Holy Land pilgrimage, our final day, will take us? I continue to pray the places and scriptures come alive so you personally experience the fifth gospel. Try to take a few minutes to pause, think about, and answer the reflection questions you will find along the way. Enjoy these final sights of the Holy Land, my dear reader~
Our first stop today is to the Old City of Jerusalem which consists of four quarters: the Armenian, Jewish, Muslim, and Christian. Some of the most ancient structures in Jerusalem, the walls, or at least their outlines dating back to Biblical times, are in this area.
Location of the Four Quarters in Jerusalem’s Old City
The Christian Quarter is where the Holy Sepulchre that we visited two days ago is located. The Muslim Quarter is the largest and most populous of the Quarters. The Armenian Quarter is the smallest of the Quarters.
Walking through the Muslim Quarter
A major landmark in the Jewish Quarter is the Western Wall where we are now. It is the last remnant of the original retaining wall around the Second Temple, which was built over 2000 years ago. It is considered the holiest of places where the Jewish people can pray. Herod the Great had it built. The left section is where the men go to pray and the ladies go to the right. It was a unique experience to be standing and praying at such a sacred Jewish spot.
The Western Wall
Standing in front of a sacred Jewish spot
Walking through the four quarters of Old City Jerusalem, I was most impressed to see the acceptance for all people no matter their religious affiliation. I felt comfortable and at peace walking through all of the quarters. I think it is a great lesson for us all about respecting everyone.
I rejoiced with those who said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
Our feet are standing
in your gates, Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is built like a city
that is closely compacted together.
That is where the tribes go up—
the tribes of the Lord—
to praise the name of the Lord
according to the statute given to Israel.
There stand the thrones for judgment,
the thrones of the house of David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May those who love you be secure.
May there be peace within your walls
and security within your citadels.”
For the sake of my family and friends,
I will say, “Peace be within you.”
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your prosperity. –Psalm 122:1-9 (NIV)
Reflection: Do you make praising the Lord a priority? How do you share God’s peace with others?
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A short walk to Mount Zion gives us the opportunity to see another piece of history, Schindler’s Tomb. Oskar Schindler was a Nazi credited with saving over 1,200 Jews lives during the Holocaust by giving them employment opportunities. Did you know a common Jewish custom for burial is to put stones on the grave? It is a way of remembering the person while visiting their tomb.
Schindler’s Tomb with stones indicating many visitors
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Our next stop today is Masada National Park, which offers another spectacular view of part of the southern area of the Judean Desert and overlooks the Dead Sea. We took a cable car to reach the top part where we were able to see much of the magnificent palace that Herod, King of Judea, had built starting in 35 BC. It was built as both a winter escape and a haven from enemies. After Herod’s death, the ancient Romans overtook Judea in the first century AD, at which time the grounds became a fortress for the Jewish people.
An unexpected opportunity to ride a camel for the first time
Part of King Herod’s palace in Masada
Judean desert in the background
Ritual bath in the palace
God’s love in Masada
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We are off to the Dead Sea in southern Israel, which the Jordan River flows into. It is also known as the Sea of the Arabah, the Eastern Sea, and the Sea of Sodom. At 1,412 feet below sea level, the Dead Sea’s shores are the lowest land-based elevation on Earth. It has about a 34% salinity rate compared to the average ocean salinity rate of 3.5%.
The Dead Sea and its salty shoreline
I try not to pass up adventures so knew I wanted to attempt floating in the Dead Sea, something I normally do not have much success at. Two minutes before getting to the Dead Sea, our tour guide informed us to be aware you cannot swim as one normally does because of the salt content. I am not really a swimmer, so on the one hand, it was a relief. But, I became a little concerned when he mentioned two important things. He emphasized not to swallow any of the water or get it in your eyes because of the bacteria that are present in the Dead Sea. It was at that time I learned you walk into the water backward and then pretend you are sitting down. At that point, you start floating away.
As I made my way down the stairs and through the sand, it became apparent the Dead Sea was about as muddy and slippery as the Jordan River! I was hoping the gentleman who helped some of us on different walks would help me get in. This time he said I was on my own! As I approached the water, God provided another person who graciously assisted me by letting me hold on to both of his hands in order to get in. I was grateful for the assistance and relieved to be floating. I floated away from the shoreline using my arms and legs going into deeper water. It suddenly occurred to me that I had not quite processed how I was going to get out of the water! I asked the person who helped me in who said it was a little hard, but just push my legs down to stand up. I was still out in deeper water so I attempted to get to shallower water before trying to lower my legs. I became concerned as I was afraid I would fall forward into the water.
About this time, I began to panic and my floating turned into my arms and legs flailing, with water splashing into one eye. In my panic, I asked for help but my helper did not come to my rescue. I was not sure what I was going to do when suddenly, a comforting voice and arm came from behind me and began pulling me toward the shore. I had no idea who it was, but I was certainly relieved to be taken to shallow water where I opted to just sit in the water for a few minutes. I was grateful this person (the lady in the camel picture!) used to be a lifeguard and knew the best way to assist a panicking person. It made me reflect on the importance of being there for others in their time of need.
Floating in the Dead Sea
Another view of the Dead Sea
The Dead Sea is mentioned a few times in Scripture. I believe an important parallel with this passage below is how we have abundant life as we continue to grow in faith and trust. Where there was once no life, God will bring to fruition a newness of life.
He asked me, “Son of man, do you see this?” Then he led me back to the bank of the river. When I arrived there, I saw a great number of trees on each side of the river. He said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, where it enters the Dead Sea. When it empties into the sea, the salty water there becomes fresh. Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live. Fishermen will stand along the shore; from En Gedi to En Eglaim there will be places for spreading nets. The fish will be of many kinds—like the fish of the Mediterranean Sea. But the swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be left for salt. Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.” –Ezekiel 47:6-12 (NIV)
Reflection: Who has God put in your path to rescue when they need help? In what ways is God calling you to a newness of life?
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Our pilgrimage draws to a close today with a quick stop to Jaffa, also called Joppa, with a night view of the Mediterranean Sea, which borders Israel on the left. Jaffa is an ancient port city in Israel, which is located in the southern and oldest part of Tel Aviv-Yafo. The disciple, Peter, stayed at the house of Simon the Tanner in Jaffa. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Peter performed miracles in Jaffa too.
Our pilgrimage ended with a wonderful feast at St. George’s Restaurant before heading to the airport for the 12 hour flight back home. You, my reader, have the pleasure of skipping that!
The Mediterranean Sea at Jaffa
Probable spot of Simon the Tanner’s House mentioned in Acts
Tel Aviv-Yafo in the background
Delicious steak dinner
Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon. –Acts 9:40-43 (NIV)
Reflection: How do you see miracles happening in your life? How have you seen your faith grow through others sharing the Holy Spirit’s power in their life?
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As you reflect on our pilgrimage stops this week, be encouraged to remember to…
…praise the Lord for His goodness.
…look for the good in people.
…see the beauty in God’s creation.
…reach out to those who need a helping hand.
…share the Holy Spirit’s power working in your life.
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My dear reader, as we have pilgrimaged together these last eight weeks, I hope you experienced the fifth gospel and met Jesus more intimately. I leave you with this quote that I hope is also reality in your life because of walking in Jesus’ footsteps in the Holy Land~
“My beloved, there are many testimonies of Christ. The first testimonies are God the Father, the Holy Spirit, the archangels, the Theotokos, the apostles, the winds silenced at Christ’s command, the loaves multiplied to feed thousands, the clothes for his burial. But, here you have before you many witnesses. The blessed place of the manger bears witness. The Jordan River bears witness. The Sea of Tiberius bears witness. Gethsemane bears witness. The Mount of Olives bears witness. Most holy Golgotha bears witness. Others only hear, but we both see and touch.” –St. Cyril of Jerusalem circa A.D. 360
May Jesus continue to reveal Himself to you through the Scriptures and in your life. Thanks for journeying on this pilgrimage. God bless!
