Bethlehem: The Wall

The city of David, the birthplace of Jesus, is both inspiring and depressing. It's just 5 miles from Jerusalem geographically, but a million miles away in every other respect. The "Love and Peace" slogan outside the entrance to Bethlehem is a nice sentiment, but little more than a dream.

The city is surrounded by a massive security wall to keep suicide bombers in. So far, so good. The U.N. isn't too happy, however, and considers it a violation of the Palestinian's human rights.

It's an ongoing downward spiral where frustration breeds extremism and violence, which is responded to with extremely restrictive measures, which breeds more resentment.

Some of the murals painted on the inside of the wall betray the pain and the mood. This one calls for "Fresh Jewce."

After leaving a Palestinian Christian's shop, we climbed on the bus and queued to get through Checkpoint Charlie or Abdul. While the soldier in the booth was playing Solitaire on a laptop, two soldiers with uzis came on board to make sure Mohammed wasn't hiding under our seats with explosives strapped around his waist.

 In a lighter moment, one of the pastors texted his head deacon right before Sunday services back in the States were about to begin and told him there were soldiers on the bus with submachine guns checking for terrorists. Then his cell phone died and all communications ceased. We're not sure if they will have canceled the service for an intense prayer meeting, or if revival will have broken out.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

Safe & Secure

It was hard not to feel safe in Jerusalem.

Here the tables were turned a little. One of our pastors, Ben, who is from Jamaica but pastoring in New York, is asked by IDF soldiers to pose with them. 

Unless the Lord builds the house,

its builders labor in vain.

Unless the Lord watches over the city,

the watchmen stand guard in vain.

(Psalm 127:1 - A Song of Ascents)

First View of the Holy City

We make the long drive up to Jerusalem. When they talk about "going up to Jerusalem" it makes a whole lot more sense to me now. It's a 4000 foot climb from the lowest point on earth to the most significant city on earth. No wonder there is a whole section in the psalms titled "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120-134) which recount going up to Jerusalem and the temple to worship God.

After going through a checkpoint with armed guards, we arive in the Holy City.



We drive up to Mt Scopus and this is the gorgeous scene before us:

Our guide breaks out the wine and leads us through a brief ceremony performed when one arrives in the Holy City. Kind of like communion. But no bread, and definitely no Jesus. Though when I look at the famous city for the first time, I can't help but think primarily of Him. We say a few Hebrew phrases. And look out on the city with awe.

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the Lord surrounds his people
both now and forevermore.
(Psalm 125:1,2 - A song of Ascents)