Passion, strength and faithfulness

We have just completed day #8 in Israel. It has been an amazing day, while at the same time having to face some very tough issues. Below are some highlights from our day:

Our first stop of the day was Gamla. Where Rabbi Scott opened our eyes to how the way of thinking of the zealots who lived there. It is believed that up to 10,000 people occupied this hillside. They were people of obedience that lived life with passion, strength and faithfulness. Due to their strength to stand for what they believed they were targeted by the Romans as a people to destroy completely. In remembering the zealots they were people who were obedient even when their prayers were not answered or not answered the way they wanted.

At the peak of Gamla, we learned of many personal tragedies that took place on this hillside. Amongst our community we have two mothers whose daughters are now in heaven. Their daughters were 12 and 11 when they went to heaven. One mother, Becki shared how the Lord had spoken to her though a beautiful vision of redeeming her daughter Regan’s death in the future. The other mother, Jen shared how her daughter Molly was obedient to Jesus even in the face of death. We were able today to step into a place and time of great tragedy and see how the Lord has redeemed it and will redeem all of our tragedies and heart ache in His time.

Rabbi Scott shared with us that Jesus taught through the technique of “Remez” which means “reference”. Where something is first referenced in the bible is the main use or meaning of the word. For example the first time the word “love” is mentioned in the bible it is in reference to Abraham’s love for his son Isaac. Therefore, love is defined as a father’s love for his son that he is willing to sacrifice. Just as God sacrificed his son Jesus.

We learned from Rabbi Scott that the reason we stand when scripture is read is because it is the most important thing that will be said or heard.

Before entering the synagogue at Gamla we had the opportunity to get into a Mikveh (a ceremonial bath where a person immerses to become ritually clean according to Jewish law). During this Jewish practice the people cleansed their head (thoughts, mind), their heart (emotions), hands (work), and feet (walk, lifestyle) in an act of repentance. This experience symbolized repentance that will resonate with us forever. Rabbi Scott reinacted an abbreviated version of a traditional synagogue service. We learned how a majority of the service would have been reading of scripture and only a few minutes would have been teaching (sermon).

We broke for a quick lunch where Lizzie treated us all to a “Magnum” Chocolate Ice Cream Bar! Thank you Lizzie!!!

After lunch we headed to Caesarea Philippi which is home to the worship of the god Pan. It was a difficult place to hear about and walk through but it opened our eyes to not only the kinds of evil that Jesus and his disciples faced but also that Jesus came to save people in dark places. Rabbi Scott posed this question to us, “Where are the dark places in our communities?”.

We made a brief stop at Omrit which was a temple to Caesar on the road to Damascus. This was more than likely a place Paul passed on his journey to Damascus.

We had a special treat for dinner at a restaurant by the Sea of Galilee and we had menu choices of pizza, pasta, fillet of fish or a whole fish. Rabbi Scott, Chris, Cody and Jen wanted to enjoy the true fisherman experience so they had the whole fish, eyeball and all!!!

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your heart and with all your soul,

Jen Martinsen and Becki Rion