Holly here again to tell you a bit about the last couple days.
Sunday morning we packed up all of our belongings from the house in Tiberias where we had been staying, squished them into the car and headed to the newly discovered old town of Magdala. Magdala was not on our itinerary until the evening before when Mark stumbled across their information while looking for something to pass a little bit of time in the Tiberias area. It has only been open for about a year - a new site with a lot of discoveries still to be made. This was a visit that was definitely a little gift from the Lord Himself on a Sunday morning.
Magdala is the home town of Mary Magdalene. She is one of several women who traveled with and supported Jesus’ ministry. She witnessed the crucifixion of Jesus and planned on tending to His body after the Sabbath. She was the first person to see the risen Christ and was given the task of informing His disciples. We were able to see remaining walls and floors of the town synagogue, domestic housing area, market, and the Jewish ritual purification baths. But more touching then these ruins was the chapel built at this site. Eight pillars are featured in the entrance, the Women’s Atrium. Seven of these are marked with names representing the women in the Bible who followed Jesus. One is left blank to honour the women of faith all across time. As a women of the Lord, I was delighted to accept the blessing written around the room in Latin, giving thanks to the Lord for the wonders He has worked in women over all time. Jesus healed Mary of seven demons because He knew she had works to do for His ministry. He still works in us today, men and women! As we have been and will continue to follow the foot steps of Jesus on this trip, it was encouraging to be in a place that welcomed us in and sent us out to carry on this ministry still alive and active today. Our guide was a lovely pastor from South Africa, serving for a few months in Magdala. She prayed for us and for the work of the Youth Farm Bible Camp before we carried on our way. It was Sunday morning with untraditional church, planned for us by the One we came to know more about in His land.
They even have a petting zoo!
Our afternoon was spent in the fascinating national park of Bet She’an. The remains of the ancient city built thousands of years ago and hosting many different rulers over those years. Each conquering nation bringing their own style to meet their culture’s needs. Most of the remains are in a Roman or Byzantine style. Huge pillars line the main streets and a Roman theatre still stands there today. It was fun to walk around these walls, rocks, and pillars and imaging life back 2000 years ago. (Read 2 Samuel 21:12 for an interesting biblical reference to this city.)
We finished off our day at Yad Hashmona Country Hotel. This is where Mike Unger has been volunteering for the past few months and our home away from home for the next couple days. We met a few of the volunteers Mike has been working with and enjoyed a delicious Israeli supper. Check out Mike's Blog here.
Monday was a different kind of day for us as we carry on our journey towards Jerusalem. We had a chance to visit the Jordan River, at the spot where Jesus was baptized. (It just so happens that tomorrow is the day believed to be the day he was baptized. Pretty neat timing!) A few hours were spent at the Dead Sea. Floating on the surface of clear blue water and coming out with a layer of salt all over. It is an experience worth having. Never have any of us be able to float that well before! And how else to round out this day but a camel ride up a mountain (and past a cliff!) on 3000 year old Incense Road!
Tomorrow we will step into Jerusalem and follow Jesus’ final footsteps towards the cross and celebrate His resurrection. I trust this will be a powerful day as we head into it with thankful hearts for the grace by which we have been saved.
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