Blog #2 - Postcards from Palestine

After the enthusiasm of the airport departure 36 hours of travel certainly took its toll. We arrived in Tel Aviv at 3pm local time which equates to midnight Australian time which neither of us see all that often, but the enthusiasm for the trip itself has propelled us into a hectic schedule.

The new day began with a brisk walk on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, few of us able to believe that we were really here. After a hearty breakfast of "middle eastern appearance' we boarded our bus for Jaffa (Joppa) and then on to the famous port of Caesarea Maritima. We can see why Herod was called "the Great'; Caesarea Maritima is his man-made port and his capital. His palace is literally on the water's edge. The aqueduct (see photo) is an amazing engineering feat " forty miles long bringing water from Mt. Carmel. How they did this without modern laser levelling machinery is stunning!

As cool as this was, the truly amazing thing about being in Caesarea is that this is where Peter preached to the household of Cornelius, bringing the good news to the Gentiles for the first time. Being there brought us face to face with the world of the Bible. This is also the place where Paul was taken under armed guard to Rome for his appeal before Caesar.

Following this we were off to Mt. Carmel (1 Ki 17), Meggido, the Jezreel Valley (very fertile), Nazareth (very hilly) and Cana. We get the feeling the trip will be packed. Tonight we stay at Tiberius at the edge of the Sea of Galilee.

Though exhausted and on our way to bed, we feel privileged to be looking forward to a week and a half of discovering new things about the world in which Jesus ministered and walked. The next two days centre around Galilee, where Jesus spent so much time. We'll keep you posted from Palestine"

Blog #3 - Welcome to Jesus’ theatre

Two full days have now elapsed since the last blog. We are slightly more rested and absorbing much more of this history packed land. The past three days have been spent in Galilee (Tiberius, Nazareth, Cana, Capernaum, Korazim, Banias (Caesarea-Philipi) and more). It is a more beautiful place than we had imagined. We were taken up the Golan Heights (won from Syria in the 1967 war) which has a view over the whole Sea (which is actually a fresh water lake the size of Lake Macquarie). As we looked out over this region so prominent in Jesus ministry, Paul Barnett impressed upon us the significance of the trip: "What you see in front of you was the theatre for God's ministry in his Son on our planet." None of us will forget the moment.

On the journey down from the Golan Heights, it was a close call as to what concerned us more: our close proximity to Syria, or the tight twisting road lined with steep slopes.  There is no peace treaty with Syria and at one point we were from South Head to North Head away. The locals seemed unconcerned so we tried to follow their lead.

The visit to Capernaum on Saturday was by far the most impacting so far. Capernaum is now an uninhabited area, but the excavations have uncovered the synagogue in which Jesus taught and the house of Peter's mother-in-law, literally a stone's throw away.  We weren't merely in a region Jesus had passed through " we were in a small township Jesus based so much of his ministry.  This really was quite a mind blowing concept.

We know what he said and what he did within this space.  Peter's mother-in-law's house has had a series of churches built over the ruins. Excavations have revealed each of the layers. Perhaps the future will prove to be ironic. A Catholic Church was recently built (literally) hovering over the top of the house. It has a glass floor to be able to see the house below. For future generations " might this church be added to the list? It seems to be a habit.

One thing is true: Israel is compact. Within a few kilometers are so many townships spoken of in the Bible. From Nazareth, you travel only a few kilometres to the village of Sepphoris (Zippora) in one direction, or Cana in another. It's a bit longer on foot " but you get the idea " this all took place in a relatively small area. 

Of course, some places were further than others.  The trip from the Sea of Galilee to Caesarea-Philippi at the northern most part of Israel took an hour on the bus, but would have taken a number of days on foot.  Not unlike a decent trip in the Blue Mountains, however " it all seems so different.  Jesus journey meant far more than an over-nighter with some friends. His journey was the turning point " one that would commence his final passage towards Jerusalem.

Not that we are deliberately following in his footsteps " but tomorrow we are also off to Jerusalem, but for us it’s via Qumran " the home of the Dead Sea Scrolls. If you want to know what we think " tune in tomorrow.
Cheers, Dave & Antony. (5 February)