A near transcendent experience

Our first day in Jerusalem was an incredible one. The current hotel that hosts us boasts a stunning view of the city. Morning couldn’t come fast enough for us. We were finally ready. Jerusalem.

After a quick breakfast we were on the bus and out to the city. As we drove through the city one can see how important it is to the people to preserve the history of this place. Amongst homes and business extends beautiful ancient history.

The first stop on our journey through Jerusalem was the City of David. Resting upon a hill top over looking the valleys below we could just make out where the ancient wall would have ran, protecting the people of Israel from their enemies who came before them. After a brief film detailing the history of the City of David, we walked below to the ancient ruins that have only been recently discovered. Our guide Ronen shared with us that 10 years ago, the palace of David was sitting beneath public restrooms. In fact, it was only because one of the sewage lines broke that the ancient ruins were discovered. Standing in the place that David himself lived was a near transcendent experience. A stark reminder once more of the reality that these stories, are not simply stories.

After a few winding staircases we found our way to the Tunnels of Hezekiah. Three thousand years ago Hezekiah and the Israelites carved these tunnels, providing access for water to flow in to the city. This ingenious dig provided safety and water to those living inside the city, despite any siege that may have been taking place. The tunnels themselves are still open today. So with shorts hiked up and flashlights out, we made our way through 500 yards of winding tunnels, with water up to our knees. The spookiness of the tunnel could only be trumped by our amazement at the ability to build such a marvel.

Leaving the City of David, we set out for Herodion. We entered into the Palestinian populated city of Bethlehem and immediately could see the mountain as it towered above. This mountain was not always here. Herod, in his psychotic ego, did not care that there was no mountain where he wanted his palace built. He desired to sit atop his palace with both the Dead Sea and Jerusalem in sight. He simply spoke the words, and they went to work to build him a mountain. It was in the tunnels below that we remembered the story of such a feat. Jesus and his disciples would have been fully aware of the Roman occupation, and the mountains they built to remind the Jews of it as well. It was here that the scriptures again came to life.

“Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move.” (Matthew 17:20)

Our canvas was suddenly filled with color again.

As we left Bethlehem, we couldn’t help but notice the graffiti along the walls of every corner. It’s these artists, like Banksy, who paint their hearts upon these broken walls; hearts that are torn and broken, crying out for peace.

We met some amazing Christians here in Bethlehem, Christians that too cry for peace in this land. Amongst such turmoil, not only in Israel, but also all over the world, we remember again the words of Jesus. Our faith, like the mustard plant, is to be a faith that rushes into the cracks. A faith that fills the gaps. A faith that cannot be cut down because it is so overwhelming. A faith that gives birth to a love for all people of all cultures. When we have this faith, we can look at those mountains, the mountains of oppression, torture, and injustice, and say to them, “Move.”

And they will move.