Journey to Jerusalem

We have spent five days wandering around the ministry sites of Jesus Christ.  We saw the house Peter hosted our Saviour at Capernaum; spent time at two Synagogues that our master taught both his disciples and the crowd; visited the town Mary Magdalene came from; went to the site Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount; saw a house in Nazareth that Jesus may have spent his childhood in; had a Bible Study at the spot where Jesus asked Peter if he loved him, and another where Jesus asked his Disciples who they thought he was.  These sites warmed our hearts as we sought to grow more intimate with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  The Sea of Galilee area drew our spirits closer to our Messiah.

Now it is time to take a journey to Jerusalem.  Jesus would have visited Zion three times a year to take part in the feasts.  Ministry was done at Sea of Galilee, atonement was accomplished at the intensely religious city of Jerusalem.  Jesus knew when it was time to shed his blood.  He agonized about it and obediently went to Jerusalem so that we can be forgiven and have a relationship with our heavenly Father.  His grace is sufficient for me!  Now we are following the footsteps of Jesus, reliving the most important three days in the world’s history.

We met our guide for the day at Aroma coffee shop near Jaffa Gate of the old city.  Stan Goodenough is a believer in Christ who has been a tour guide for the last six years.  He did a tremendous job in recreating the Passion week and sharing how the land of Israel is in our past, present and future.  We overlooked the city at the Mount of Olives and were told what the city looked like 2000 years ago.  We went to the Garden of Gethsemane (which means oil press) where Jesus sweat blood and tears.  We entered the Church of All Nations which commemorated the event and the agonizing Jesus went through as he contemplated his next few hours.

We went to the Garden Tomb, a possible site of the crucifixion, burial and resurrection site of our Saviour.  It was not easy remembering what Jesus went through.  The tomb we went into was large and possibly owned by Joseph of Arimethea - the secret disciple who stepped up at the right time.  As Peter was denying Christ, Joseph was willing to donate his family tomb site for his Rabbi that he grew to love and respect.  A reminder for us to respond when God calls us to be part of His story.

We saw the pool of Bethsaida, the spot where a miracle healing took place in.  We went to a place called the Upper Room which could of looked similar to the same room where the Last Supper, foot washing and first communion took place.  We went to the Holy Selpucher, the other possible site for the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Jesus.  A site that five institutional churches are fighting to have control of the pilgrim site.  A muslim family holds the key for the holy site because the Christian denominations cannot agree on who would lock the doors.  2000 years later, religion, traditions and rules are still having a paralyzing effect on this city.

These sites are important for strengthening and growing in our friendship with Jesus.  But nothing is more important then the simple act of believing in Jesus.  Giving our lives to Christ so we can be forgiven of sins and experience the freedom of the Kingdom of God!

Mark Wurtz

Cities, Seas and Camel Rides

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. 

Rocks and Churches

"This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!" - Psalm 118:24

Today the Jewish Shabbat (Sabbath day) continued until sundown. It was a quiet morning out on the streets of Tiberias as we started a day of touring churches.  The sun was shining above the Sea of Galilee as we drove those peaceful roads to Tabgha, a shrine to remember the location of the multiplication of the loaves. On this site is a church build around the rock believed to be the alter where the simple offering of five loaves of bread and two fish were laid down to be blessed and multiplied to feed the 5000.  Even more amazing, the blessing left them with twelve baskets of food leftover! 

From Tabgha, we moved a little down the road to Mensa Domini Church. A lovely church build around the rock where the resurrected Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him. “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you!”  There they sat, a teacher and His disciple, again Jesus asked, Peter, do you love me? “Yes, Lord! You know that I love you.” And once more, “Do you love me?” “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” A powerful moment to remember in this place - the grace of Christ and the love He has for His followers.  This is where we had our bible study for the day.  Reading this passage from John 21 and reflecting on our own sins, the grace that saves us, and the ministry of Christ we are called to be a part of. 

As we moved on from the shores of the Sea of Galilee, we were welcomed into a Messianic Jewish church service in Tiberias. It was a joy to fellowship with this group of believers in the land of Israel. They have a big heart for their country and a huge heart for worshiping the Lord. We were blessed with a translator to share the message with us in english. The pastor spoke on the passage from Ezekiel chapter one and his vision of the four wheels.  During his message he even spoke about the life of Peter and, amazingly, the moment located on the same rock we had just seen - Peter, do you love me? 

After church we jumped back in the car and headed to Nazareth.  Here we visited, a museum recreating a bit of the Nazareth village from the first century. We were toured by a wine press, a shepherd and his sheep, a weaver in her home, and even the workshop of Joseph the carpenter! Finishing in the synagogue, and hearing the awesome truth that Jesus is the light of the world.  We were giving a kind gift as we left, each of us our own oil lamp, to remember and share His light.  

Walking a little ways through the streets of Nazareth, we came to the Basilica of the Annunciation.  A beautiful and huge church built around the home of Mary, the mother of Jesus.  Where she was told she would carry and care for the Son of God - where she was obedient to the Lord’s call.  And next door to this church is another.  One built around the home Jesus grew up in! His tiny feet pitter pattering up and down the stairs and growing into a teenager, learning the trade of a carpenter.  So neat to be there and see the home Jesus spent his childhood.  

Our day was finished with a delicious meal out on the town in Tiberias and a trip to buy a few groceries now that the sun had set and the shops were reopened.  Fresh pitas for our lunch tomorrow! Yum!

Holly Epp

Following Jesus' Footsteps

During our time at the Sea of Galilee, we have rented the home of a Finnish Doctor named Anni through AirBnB.  It has been great to have a house with a backyard, kitchen, living area and private rooms.  It has allowed us to have fun together in the evenings, cook breakfast, pack lunches and fellowship together. 

Today we drove to Capernaum, a special place that was the hub of Jesus ministry.  It is the location of Peter’s mother-in-laws home, a Jewish Synagogue where Jesus taught, and an abandoned townsite.  Jesus stated in Matthew 11:23 that the town was cursed because of lack of faith - if Sodom had seen the miracles Jesus did, it would still be here today.  There is a statue here with Peter holding the keys to the kingdom.  Keys that each one of us receives with belief that Jesus is the Messiah.  Allow the maker of this world to impact your life by reaching for the keys and believing that Jesus is King.

At the shore by Capernaum, we spent sometime skipping rocks, talking about the ministry of Jesus, reading scripture and having fun.  John found a large heart stone that he and Sarah are pictured with here.  And Susanah made sure to get her feet wet in the Sea of Galilee.  It was a beautiful time that everyone enjoyed.

From Capernaum, we went to a dock on the Sea of Galilee so we could board the Daniel worship boat.  Daniel Carmel is a Jew that became a believer in Yeshua (Jesus) through giving rides to Christian tourists in his boat.  He has a ministry where he takes popular worship songs and translates them into Hebrew.  Theses songs are played while you sail on the Sea of Galilee.  Our group was the only people on board, it was a very special experience.

Next on the Journey was Tel Dan.  In a beautiful forrest, we saw the start of the Jordan River, high city gates, an altar built by Ahab and Jezebel, and much more.  The altar and high place were used to worship other Gods then Yahweh and was the main reason of the destruction of the Northern Kingdom of Israel.

At Caesarea Phillipi, we saw the rock that was in the background when Jesus told Peter that he was going build his church on the rock that is Peter - and the powers of hell will not conquer it.  You can see pictures of this cliff at a blog a wrote two years ago - http://www.yfbc.com/blog/11/

By the time that we got back to Tiberius there was no grocery stores or restaurants easily accessible - Shabbat (Jewish Sabbath) starts at Sundown on Friday.  We had to be resourceful with the ingredients we had, so I found enough items to make Nookala Soup - a Hutterite dish that I grew up on.  We also had a lemon tree in the back yard, so we picked some lemons and made lemonade.  It was a blessed day!

Holyland 2.0

Ever since I was in Israel two years ago, it has been my dream to take a small group on an affordable experience in this Biblical Land.  This week, it was able to happen!  Susannah Bueckert (a YFBC intern), John and Sarah Neufeld and Holly Epp joined me on a pilgrimage to the land Jesus walked on.  Michael Unger (who is volunteering in Israel between working at camp) met us at the airport and is joining us for four days of adventure!

Thursday was an amazing day.  We started at Caesarea, the town where Cornelius the first gentile convert came from.  The ruins there are of the don't miss variety.  You can see the group relaxing in a Byzantine Governor's house (in a 1600 year old hot tub no less) and sitting in the stands of a 2000 year old hippodrome (used for Track & Field, Horse Races and Gladiator games - where Christians and Jews were killed).





Herod had a castle at this Mediterranean Sea Port.  Paul met with Governor Felix here to be sent to Rome.  And Peter had an amazing experience seeing the Gospel message revealed for more than Jews, baptizing the first Gentile convert in the waters we touched (with both hands and feet!).  What a place to be!

We spent time reading these New Testament stories and thanking God for bringing us into his Kingdom through missionaries like Paul and early converts like Cornelius.  We prayed for persecuted Christians and the people in the this land.

Next was Mount Carmel to the monastery built by the Carmelites on the spot where Elijah called down fire from Heaven to show the wavering nation their true God.  Holly led us through a Bible Study on the passage asking us - What ways do we sway from God? Do we desire the supernatural? Do we expect it? Do we sometimes feel there is no answer from God and cry out, dance around, and behave in a way to get a pity answer?  We had communion together at the mount that oversees the Jezreel Valley - how powerful!  Here is a picture of the group by the statue of Elijah.





Next of course was Armageddon where we met a bunch of Mennonite Brethren Pastors!  According to Revelation, Megiddo is the site of a gathering of armies for a battle during the end times.  It is also an ancient city that has structures from 5000 years ago.  Many ruins were originally built by King Solomon and King Ahab.  A highlight for everyone but Holly was descending down 180 steps into a water system built to bring the life-giving resource into the centre of the city.  We then walked through a tunnel built by King Ahab that was 100 meters long.  It was cool!

We finished the day back in Tiberius dining on schnitzels, sushi, pasta, shawarma, pizza and more.  A competitive game of Phase 10 ended a rewarding day!