Day 8 in the land

Shalom, Shalom!! My name is Andy, and I will be your tour guide for the next few paragraphs.

What a rollercoaster ride we had today. We started high, at the Mount of Olives, where Jesus began the final chapter of his life so that we could have a new life in Him. Then, Gesthemene, where He pleaded with the Father for another way for the story to unfold, but boldly accepted his Father's will so that we would all be saved. Then down to the depths of depravity at the Holocaust Museum, where we saw evidence of the unspeakable atrocities that man can inflict on his fellow man. Horrible, and at times, hard to watch and read about. But then, up high again to Bethlehem, where our Savior's life began. Oh, and in between, let's not forget Hezekiah's Tunnels. Everyone say "Ahh!"

What a sight we imagined as we projected ourselves back to the time when Jesus began his entrance into Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. Riding in as His message that "the Kingdom of God is near" had preceded Him. Except His proclamation was not a military or political revolution as was assumed by the leaders in power. His assertion that the temple would be destroyed, but that He would raise it again in 3 Days, seemed ludicrous. But no one realized that He was the temple.
In Gesthemene, we learned what may be new to some of us (I know it was to me); that Jesus, as fully man, didn't really know His role as the son of Yahweh from the beginning. He walked by purest and deepest faith in His father. But in Gesthemene He experienced His final exam, and even though he pleaded with God, "Father, is there any other way?" He accepted His Father's will that He should die so that we could live. What faith, to listen and follow so boldly. I don't know that I could have followed knowing what was coming. Could you? But He did it for us because of our Fathers deep unconditional love for us and Jesus death wasn't the end. The Holy Spirit was sent to dwell in us. How undeservedly blessed are we?! Everyone say "Wow!"

Switching gears, what a Disneyland experience we had walking underground through Hezekiah's tunnel! This tunnel that brought spring water across the entire mountain city, some 500 yards of tunnel, still with water running through it today. We trekked along through the running water, usually up to about calf level, but occasionally getting deeper to about mid-thigh level. Moving through the tunnel with 3-4 inches to spare off of each shoulder and sometimes stooping so we didn't hit our heads on the low rock ceiling. This amazing structure was a real feat of engineering that was actually dug from both ends toward the middle using only the line in the sedimentary rock where the water leaked from the rock as the guide as to which direction to dig. In the end, they met right in the middle! Everyone say "Wow!!"

At our next stop, horror and sadness hit hard as we watched and read about the Nazi campaign to rid the world of the Jewish race at the Holocaust Museum. To watch and read about Nazi Germany occupying country after country, and rounding up or isolating the Jews and eventually murdering 6 million of them, including 1.5 million children. It was such a contrast on a trip to learn about the ever approaching presence of God, who is love, to also witness the horrors that man can inflict on his fellow man. We must never forget, and never compromise human rights. That's a big, heavy-hearted "oy vey".

Lastly, Bethlehem, where our salvation all began with the birth of our savior. How appropriate that Bethlehem, which means 'the house of bread', was the birthplace of 'the bread of life', Jesus the Messiah. As with most stories, there was tragedy involved in the beginning. As the Magi came from the east looking for the King of the Jews, King Herod became more and more paranoid, as he thought he was the only king of the Jews. So, in order to destroy the competition he ordered the death of all boys 2 years old and under. Hearing that news, Joseph escaped with Mary and Jesus to Egypt. Chased from their own homeland. But as we know, because we have the book to read, the rest is history as Jesus, fully God and fully man lived with us and as us to fulfill prophesy, save us from sin and give us life to the full. Everyone say "Wow!"

So as we close out day #8 on this breathtaking trip, you'll just have to "hold your camels" to see how it all ends tomorrow.

Grateful Believer,
Andy Crosthwait