The Realistic Picture

Our time in Israel thus far has been chock full of beautiful biblical sights and meaningful looks into Scripture. It's been easy to think that we're in paradise. However, today's itinerary began with a sobering reminder that there is a price to pay to live in Israel. We went to the Valley of Tears, which is a memorial for the Arab-Israeli conflict that took place in 1973. It was moving to see the names of those lost, many of whom were recently out of high school at the time. As we know well in America, freedom is not free. Israel faces many challenges and enemies that wish them harm. The memorial was a great reminder that despite all of the beauty around us, Israel needs our love, support, and prayers more than ever.

The next stop for us was Caesarea Philippi, which marks the headwaters of the Jordan River and the place of Peter's great confession. Bill Sutter taught out of Matthew 16: 13-18 while we were there. Peter's response to Jesus, "You are Christ, the Son of the Living God." stood in stark contrast to the place around us. Caesarea Philippi was the center of pagan worship; powerless, dead gods adorn the surrounded rock faces. To stand here was to stand in the pages of prophecy. The gates of hell cannot stand in the way of the church. Nothing will prevail against the true church and the one true God.

Our day's journey ended at Nazareth. It was amazing to walk around a first century farm, surrounded by Olive trees that are hundreds of years old, and experience the atmosphere that Jesus grew up in. A delicious biblical meal was served to us. We enjoyed bread and dips, olives, lentil soup, cabbage salad, barbecued chicken, and some fruit for dessert. We then followed around our very knowledgeable tour guide and learned great insights into the parables of Jesus and how they relate in many ways to His life in Nazareth. The symbolism of the olive press was particularly impacting. Olives go through a press 3 times, with the weight increasing each time in order to get the most out of it. Jesus prayed 3 times in the Garden of Gethsemane that the Lord would "let this cup pass from me," each time with more stress and the weight of the world on his shoulders to the point where he sweat blood. Gethsemane means "olive press" and Jesus went to the cross for us to be "crushed" literally for our sins. To realize that and to be reminded of the enormity of His love for us while in Nazareth was a moment of awe and tears that I'll never forget.

I don't know how it's possible, but every day seems to top the one that has preceded it. With great anticipation, tomorrow we head up to Jerusalem!

- Steve