Snow Falls in Jerusalem

To the delight of many, snow came to Jerusalem yesterday. As it does in most of Mississippi, the snow did not last long. Yet, this beautiful city became even more beautiful for a short time.

Old-timers tell me that the snow should conclude the rainiest season in twenty years. All of this adds up to the richest of blessings for the land and especially the Sea of Galilee.

Once again, the weather provided us with one of our most talked-about subjects and the one that we can do the least about. Therefore, we enjoyed the day as a gift from God.

Ash Wednesday in the Holy Land

Greetings from the Holy Land on this Ash Wednesday! May your journey through Lent begin with a most meaningful observance of this day wherever you are!

The Church of the Flagellation (Scourging) along the Via Dolorosa is the beginning point for many pilgrims this day in Jerusalem. For a few coins, any group can take up a wooden cross from the gatekeeper and recount the steps of Jesus to Calvary long ago.

The Lenten journey is at least that for all of us, a recounting of Jesus' life and ministry, and it begins today. Each of us can embark on a reading plan which recalls Jesus' journey. Let me suggest the Gospel of Mark.

Over the centuries, the faithful have often chosen to "give up something." Self-denial is certainly at the heart of this holy season and the disciplined life.

Better yet, we might "take up something" for Lent. For example, we can take up a new cause or volunteer our time and service in a new setting.

Wherever you are, may you have a blessed and holy Lent!

The Cardo of Ancient Jerusalem

I am often accused of not allowing enough shopping time by Jerusalem Center groups. To this, I respond by declaring that they are students, not shoppers.

Of course, I know that haggling with a merchant is a part of the total experience in this country. A day in the souk must include time for shopping. The thrill of the purchase is in both buyer and seller feeling that they got the better of the transaction.

Brenda was more than happy to remind me of this fact recently on a day through the Old City. While shopping here is a one-of-a-kind experience, this painting found along the Cardo reminds us of what it was like in centuries past. The Cardo in the Jewish Quarter offers many such glimpses into the history of the area and is well worth the time invested.

The Gates of Jerusalem

The Damascus Gate might be the busiest of the seven gates into the Old City of Jerusalem. This newly restored gate opens to the north and true to its name in antiquity, offered travelers the way to Damascus.

Beneath the present gate lies the Roman gate into Emperor Hadrian's new city which was built after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE. He renamed the city, Aelia Capitolina. These actions precipitated in part the revolt led by Bar Kokhba (132-136 CE).

While the crowd today was relatively small, the gate area teems with businessmen barking their wares, sidewalk-chefs grilling on the barbe, and folks hurrying home from prayers at the Dome of the Rock on Friday afternoon. Don't miss it on your trip to Jerusalem!

World Methodist Evangelism Institute Meets in Jerusalem

Methodists from around the world have gathered in Jerusalem this week to observe the 30th Anniversary of the World Methodist Evangelism Institute's annual seminars. The theme of this seminar is Good News of Peace for All Creation. The purpose of such gatherings (seminars) is to equip pastors and laity in the practice of evangelism.

Today, I joined them on the Mount of Olives for their first introduction to the land. It was a bitterly cold day, but spirits were high. The customary photo of the group with Jerusalem in the background was that of the world in microcosm.

Later today, I will speak during the evening plenary session on The Geography of Salvation: The Fifth Gospel. What a gift it is to be invited to address the gathering. Even more, it is a joy to walk with Methodist Christians from around the world. The place sounds and looks a lot like a new Pentecost.

The Mahane Yehuda Market

The market at Mahane Yehuda in Jerusalem is worth a visit if one has an extra hour in his (her) itinerary. Both open-air and covered sections of the market overwhelm all the senses.

I visited the market for the first time in all my trips to Israel. The place abounds with the fruits of the land, cafes, and all kinds of other shopping stalls. If one wishes to meet the local Jewish folks, then Mahane Yehuda is the place.

While I still prefer the souk in the Old City, this market offers a nice change of pace. What better way to spend some time strolling with friends in Jerusalem!

"The Pit" at St. Peter's in Gallicantu

The Book - "I am counted among those who go down to the Pit; I am like those who have no help...You have put me in the depths of the Pit, in the regions dark and deep." - Psalm 88:4-6

The Land - In the depths of the church of St. Peter's in Gallicantu, there is "the Pit." It is not just any pit, but the Pit where tradition holds that Jesus was held after his arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane.

The modern church is built over the remains of an earlier Byzantine structure. The focal point of the first church is what appears to be a holding pit for the worst of criminals. Since the pit opening was marked by crosses, the Byzantines surmised that this site could have been where the high priest held Jesus on holy Thursday evening for trial. Early Christians often venerated sites associated with gospel events by marking them with crosses.

The courtyard of the church remembers the confrontation of Simon Peter with the women servants of the High Priest. In fear and cowardice, the protesting disciple fulfilled Jesus' prophecy of a three-fold denial.

Descending into the pit is quite an emotional experience for even the least sentimental of us. Certainly, this site bears consideration in the traditional sense. While one cannot assure the authenticity of the site, it can be as is often said: "this site is a good place to remember the story of Jesus' arrest, trial, betrayal, and dark night of the soul."

The Lesson - The Book of Psalms serves a two-fold purpose for the student or worshipper. A psalm allows one to vent the deepest of emotions, while giving expression to the voice of God. In Psalm 88, the psalmist is in the depths of despondency. He senses death is near, and he has no one to help him. His companions have shunned him, and God's absence has compounded his desperate estate.

While praying this psalm, the reader can easily see why it has been associated with Jesus. As any faithful Jew, Jesus memorized the scriptures. In other settings, Jesus prayed the psalms. On the night that he was betrayed by Judas and denied by Simon Peter, Jesus might have turned to a number of psalms for comfort and expression of all his feelings in addition to Psalm 88.

Who among us has not found similar comfort from praying this psalm? While few of us will experience "the Pit" as Jesus, we who have known the depths of abandonment, darkness, and impending death yet find hope in God's Word and God's faithfulness.

The Mountains Surrounding Jerusalem

The Book - "Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people from this time on and forevermore." - Psalm 125:1-2

The Land - The mountains surrounding Jerusalem stand just under 3,000 feet above sea level. They are the Mount of Olives, Mount Scopus, Mount Moriah and Mount Zion. Each mountain has been a stage for some of the more dramatic events in biblical history.

For example, Mount Scopus served as the base for Rome's Tenth Legion in the siege of Jerusalem in 70 A. D. Mount Moriah held both Solomon's Temple and the Second Temple. Today, the Dome of the Rock stands where Jewish temples once stood.

The Lesson - The visitor to this land readily grasps the prominence of the four mountains surrounding Jerusalem. Equally, the reader of the Bible understands the appropriateness of the imagery in Psalm 125. Just as Jerusalem is cradled by the surrounding mountains, the person of faith can experience the arms of the Lord around him. The promise of the Lord is from "this time on and forevermore."

I Was Glad When They Said Unto Me, "Let us go up to the House of the Lord"

So the psalmist spoke for all pilgrims! After air travel over two days and a good night's sleep, I am "standing in the gates of Jerusalem." There is no place like Jerusalem!

Today's weather is quite mild for January, beautiful and sunny. According to our friends, there has been little rain in December. And since this is the rainy season, join me in praying for rain. Of course, the mild and dry weather is great for the tourists but detrimental to the country.

Our plan is to walk in the old city today. The sights, sounds and smells are delightful to the senses.

Tomorrow, we will explore Masada and walk the En Gedi nature reserve. Hopefully, we can post some pictures.