Our pilgrimage continues to be a remarkable privilege and adventure. But not without struggle. We are learning so much that at times we've not known how to untangle learning with our mind, or our heart or our soul.
We sat at one incredibly important historical site (the original City of David, below Old Jerusalem) and were taught by the foremost archaeologist today in Israel (who showed us this 10th century BC toilet seat that is a strong indicator they've JUST NOW uncovered David's original palace at this spot - a royal flush as historical authenticator).
Later we held an extended Bible study overlooking the most devilish-pagan worship site in Jesus' time. Each and every bus ride includes additional historical and theological reflection on the place we've just been and are going to. At each site we may have an historical/archaelogical lesson (here's LFC-WestLake Children's Director Dee Gallivan, and our own 'Samson' Terry Paskadi, heading into the 'manger' like what Jesus would have been born in inside a relative's house, in a 1st century BC home reconstruction).
Or we might have an extended teaching through an entire period of biblical history, or both types of lecture. Most of us are taking copious notes, a treasure for a lifetime (here's Dr. Laniak, our leader and Dean of Gordon-Conwell Seminary Charlotte, teaching us in a vineyard above Bethlehem; LFC's Andy Muhich and Lake Norman Baptist's Assoc Pastor Darryl King researching the Bible at one site):
Several evenings we've worshipped and prayed as a group, and talked over how our spirits are engaging, or not, with the pilgrimage. Most of us think we will need months to sort through the different types of growth that right now feel like an unsorted pile of encounters - intellectual, spiritual, and practical-life growth through this experience of the entire story of the Bible in its original landscape (valley where David faced Goliath and we learned the history and biblical significance of war between Israel and Philistines in the hill country; me and Angie in 1st century reconstructed synagogue, reading Torah after learning about 1st century rabbis and synagogue customs that amplify Jesus' practice and teaching - since he was a rabbi who taught in synagogues; since I didn't bring a wide brim hat I went native and am wearing an Arab headdress called kafiya - it looks awesome when our Arab Christian driver ties it for me, but when I tie it, its just kinda weird)
I mentioned learning with our mind, heart and soul, which out of devotion is worship for us. We've also worshipped with our strength. In order to take advantage of the world class teachers we have with us, and to cover as much territory and Bible as possible, we've kept an aggressive pace in the summer heat. We leave our hotel between 6:45 and 7:15 am and hit 4-6 sites per day including hikes in and out of parks and digs (today down a cliff). Our bodies have paid a price. Most in the group have had some form of illness or dis-ease for a half day or day. A few have been struck with a serious malady here and there.
But the LORD has used this for good. Our weakness has demonstrated a primary theme running throughout the Old Testament - human beings have limits and live best when we accept limits, including staying within the way and the care of God our shepherd. Many (not all) of our illnesses have come from not taking our trip leaders warnings seriously about staying hydrated, not trusting certain water sources, etc. Most of my problems here are because I didn't trust the 'rabbi's' of the trip enough to bring the specific gear they strongly suggested.
Our weakness has also demonstrated something else - the joy of caring for one another. The group has come alongside those struggling each day, not left anyone behind, and become a microcosm of the Body of Christ. I had no doubt this would occur with us Lake Forest people (22 out of 44 on the trip). But i was worried about the 22 people I didn't know - what if we got stuck with some hyper-spiritual religious freaks who wanted to argue Bible details all day, or just as bad, drama kings/queens who could make the vibe toxic? I should have known better than to have that fear - associating with Gordon-Conwell Seminary is an even better filter than I realized. This is a harmonious group of grace-filled people who love Jesus passionately and want to know and follow him better.
The joy of being a group has been the greatest unexpected surprise for me on the trip. In the words of LFC-Westlake Youth Leader Andy Muhich (who is also a GCTS seminary student), "its great to learn from all these old rocks, but I'm experiencing the truth that God says after the resurrection WE are the 'living stones' [I Peter 2:5] who together make up his Body, his temple!"(speaking of a fun group, check out the pants-heads couple - LFC's Jim and Kathy Boone throw fashion to the wind in Jerusalem and wear Jim's zip-off pants legs on their heads to block the HOT sun long enough to experience the Rabbi Steps at the entrance to the Jerusalem Temple, where Jesus would have given much of his teaching to his disciples and all who had ears to hear)
In today's posting, I've obviously given up trying to capture our visit-by-visit travelogue in order. It's too much, you're starting to lose interest, and I'm overwhelmed in the ways I just mentioned our whole group is facing. This trip is glorious. However, rest assured that we know that we are not gaining any secret knowledge that is necessary to understand the Bible - God has spoken in such a way any simple person can take up, read, and be unmasked, unmade in the flesh, and remade in the Spirit by the power of God's Word. Yet it is an immense grace of God and of those we love to make allowance for us to be here in these places.
We've been in or viewed 6 countries (Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Lebanon, peeked at Syria today - yikes) and touched 6 profound bodies of water (Red Sea, Dead Sea, Jordan River, Sea of Galilee, Pool of Siloam, Mediteranean).
God chose the intersection of these three great continents - Asia, Africa, and Europe - as His Podium. God chose a people to be His messengers on that Podium (land of Israel) with the message of 'blessing to all nations' by the One True Great Good God. And ultimately God accomplished the promise of the message Himself by coming as our Rescuer. (echoes of teaching by Dr. Jim Martin here)
The Rescuer arrived here - in Bethlehem, a little shepherd's town (Angie entering the Church of the Nativity, over the likely site of Jesus' birth; the spot revered as the manger - I rested my hand here, thanked God for Jesus, and prayed Lake Forest will love well in his name)
The last couple of days, we moved from Jesus' birth north to his ministry in Galilee. We've been operating out of a place where we each have our own cabin on the Sea of Galilee - here's our backyard view now:
I have high hopes for our last few days, following the ministry footsteps of Jesus, then following his steps to the cross and out of the tomb. I have high hopes for how the LORD will use our growth in spirit and knowledge in the churches, small groups and pulpits given to each of us (in Charlotte, we also have folks here from Grace Covenant-Denver, The Park, Good Shepherd UMC, Forest Hill Church, Garr Church, Spirit of Joy Lutheran, Calvary Church, Carmel Baptist, and LKN Baptist).
Yet I end today's post not with my hopes, but the hope of one of our hosts. The Roman Catholic Church in Bethlehem has this posted over their exit door. I am being hospitable to it and praying this exhortation for myself. And I pray it would be true of Lake Forest Church every week as well. Shalom Y'all:
