Today was a bit different for us. We actually had enough money in the pot to
hire a guide and driver to take us to Jericho and Bethlehem. We have been unable to get to these places in
the past because we were not able to take the rental vehicles with Israeli
license plates into these West Bank cities.
Going into Bethlehem meant a visit to the
Shepherd’s Fields, the Church of the Nativity and to the home of our friend
from the Garden Tomb, Fadi Alzoughbi. The
“fields” have caves that might have been used by shepherds for warmth and
comfort in their 24-hour a day job. But
more, there is a connection with the Messianic prophecy of Micah 4:9 (see also
the more well-known one in Micah 5:2) that says that the announcement of
Messiah would first come to the “tower of the flock.” We were also reminded that almost certainly
the sheep being cared for around Bethlehem were for the sacrifices in nearby
Jerusalem.
We did not stand in the long line to get into
the traditional spot where Jesus was born.
Honestly, knowing we were in the vicinity is sufficient on that
matter. Part of the significance of this
church is that Jerome translated the Bible into Latin at this location. His translation is the basis of the official
Catholic version.
As for the visit with our friends, we enjoyed
a wonderful time of worship, including singing with our group members and
friends Doris McCoy playing the keyboard and Tim Gregory the guitar. Fadi’s dad, Issa, who started their church,
shared a brief sermon from the Word of God to encourage us. Fadi’s mom blessed us with a wonderful cake
and drinks before we were on our way. We
also delivered some large print Bibles Fadi had asked us to bring which was a
blessing for us.
In Jericho, we stopped briefly for photos at
the sycamore tree in the middle of town (see Lk. 19). Then we went to Tel Jericho (Joshua 5) where
the question was, “Is there evidence of crumbling walls in Jericho’s past?” The answer was, YES! We also took the cable car to the Mount of
Temptation, primarily for the views of the area. I happen to like Jericho, the oldest city in
the world, “the City of Palms.” I should
probably admit, as well, that the guide we had arranged for us to have a meal
of makluba and kebabs at, of all places, the “Temptation Restaurant.” I believe many of us would admit to succumbing
to the temptation.
We should just remind ourselves. We do not need confirmation of the truth of
the Bible. It is sufficient that God
Himself says it is His word (Thus says the LORD). We don’t need to see these things to
strengthen our faith, because after all, as Jesus told Thomas, the blessing is
on those who did not see and yet believed (Jn. 20:29). We do rejoice in being in these places where
the Bible comes alive. It comes alive
because the geography is fundamental to the Bible’s message. Occasionally, what we see might even help us
to understand better the event that took place in that location. To that end we are thankful to be here.
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| Orthodox Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem |
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| Not big on RCC Saints but here's Jerome, translated Bible into Latin, todays Catholic version |
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| And St George, patron saint of England, born in Lod, Israel (Biblical Lydda), killed a dragon. |
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| Famous Stars & Bucks coffee shop, apparently with fruit juices too |
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| This boy in the bus station at Bethlehem was happy to see Joe's parents, Dan & Peggy |
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| Sycamore tree in Jericho. |
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| You're not going to control your weight if you keep eating here. |
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| The tram to the Mt of Temptation |
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| Monastery on the Mt of Temptation |
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