Light Force

The Bethlehem Bible College is a beacon of light in the town of Jesus. Of course, two other kings are remembered in this city, King David and King Herod.

Today, our visit was not to sites associated with the three kings of Israel. Two friends and I called on the President of the college, Bishara Awad, and his brother, Alex. Bishara Awad founded the Bible College on a donation of twenty dollars from a single pastor. Bishara's vision and faith have been realized. We smiled and rejoiced as we heard his remarkable story.

While visiting, we picked up a book by Brother Andrew entitled Light Force. This account abounds with stories of peacemaking in the Middle East. One of those stories is that of the Bethelehem Bible College. The BBC is a light force in this land and daily issues a clarion call to people of faith to work and pray.

Even the smallest seed sown can become a great tree. The light that shone on shepherds in a field near here continues to shine. It shines through people like the Awads, the faculty and students of the BBC, and people like you and me.

The Pool of Siloam

Today, I visited the Pool of Siloam at the southern end of the City of David. The recent excavations drew me here.

In the time of Jesus, the Pool of Siloam served thousands of pilgrims and citizens of Jerusalem. It appears now that one of the uses of the pool was as a mikveh. Pilgrims could take their ritual baths before ascending to the Temple.

The Gospel of John relates two incidents where the pool was the medium of God's activity. The first occasion is found in John 7:37-39 and takes place during the Feast of Tabernacles. On the last day of the festival, the High Priest would descend to the pool and dip water for the libation offering. Mixing water and prayers upon his return to the Temple precincts, the anticipated result was the early rains in October. According to John, Jesus takes this opportunity to proclaim: "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me..."

The second incident recorded by John (9:1-12) is the healing of a man born blind. Using mud made with saliva, Jesus commands that the man wash in the Pool of Siloam. There follows a rather long account of the consternation of the Pharisees, an investigation of the circumstances surrounding the miracle, and a denunciation by Jesus of the religious leaders' spiritual blind-

ness. The implication is that Jesus is the light of the world for all who have eyes to see.

What I discover today is the newly excavated Herodian street from the time of Jesus. I am moved by the knowledge that this is the street that the High Priest and the blind man would have traveled. Almost certainly, Jesus came this way too!

Even more, I am stirred to faith in God's provision. As long ago in this place God provided rain for his people in season and sight for a blind man, so God still provides for the people of this land and for me.

The Jerusalem University College

The highlight of our day was a visit to the Jerusalem University College, formerly the Institute of the Holy Land. JUC has its main campus on Mount Zion between the Joppa and Zion Gates.

I had an appointment with Dr. Paul Wright, the dean of the college. I guess you might say that "we were comparing notes."

I learned that the first dean of the Jerusalem Center for Biblical Studies, Dr. Jim Fleming, is a graduate of the college. Dr. Fleming's impact on JCBS certainly reflects well on Jerusalem University College.

The campus provides an entrance to the Protestant Cemetery and the Essene Gate. Briefly, the cemetery is the final resting place of many of God's saints. One that you probably know is Horatio Spafford, the composer of the gospel hymn, "It is Well with My Soul."

As for the Essene Gate, Bargil Pixner surmises that the Essenes had a monastery on Mount Zion. He goes further to speculate that Jesus and the disciples utilized the monastery for the Last Supper. Interesting!

A walk back through the Old City made for a nice morning despite the cold and the overcast skies.

Muslim Holy Day in the Old City

It's Friday, the Muslim holy day, and I have joined the stream of worshippers entering the Damascus Gate for prayer at the "noble sanctuary." We share different destinations today but similar needs.

The devout Muslim prays five times a day, but on Friday, he seeks out the third holiest site in Islam for prayer. I can sense the desire for the Holy in the crowd. There is unbelievable energy and expectation.

I am told that Moses was first told that one must pray fifty times a day. When Moses laughed, the requirement was reduced to five times daily. I too breathe a sigh of relief.

In the West, we are hard pressed to pray once daily. Here in the Middle East, prayer is a pillar of faith and a profound longing for the Holy. Perhaps, we have much to learn from our friends in this place.

Return to Bethlehem

I enjoy returning to Bethlehem whenever possible. Today, I accompanied forty-nine students from Lutheran Southern Theological Seminary and laity from the Columbia, SC area.

We began our day in Efrat, a Jewish settlement of some 9,000 persons. The head of the Religious Council, Bob Lang, spoke to the group with his perspective on the present political situation in the land. Later we heard from the Reverend Mitri Raheb, pastor of the Lutheran Church in Bethlehem as to the Palestininan perspective. Of course, I am discovering that there are more than "two sides" to this situation. The issues are complex and not always black and white. Doesn't that sound familiar as to many of the challenges we face?

I ended my day strolling quietly through the Roman Catholic Shepherds' Fields. It was dusk, and the evening was a bit cool. My thoughts were of the angels' song, "Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth to men of good will!" Given all that I have heard today, may this song echo anew and reassure men of good will today to continue the efforts for peace in this land.

Samson: Strength Gone to Waste

I traveled today with students from Calvary Baptist Theological Seminary of Lansdale, PA. Our first stop was Beth Shemesh in the Sorek Valley. Beth Shemesh means "house of the sun," and the Sorek Valley is the first of five valleys that crisscross the lowlands which lead to the Judean highlands.

Tel Beth Shemesh is a neglected archaeological site, but the site is a place to remember the story of Samson. While we read only a small portion of Judges 13-16, the meditation on his life and tragic end was sobering.

Samson's story begins with promise: a special birth to a barren wife, dedicated parents, God's clothing of him with His spirit, a playful nature, quick wit, and amazing physical strength.

Yet with Samson, there is a downside. He is spoiled, violent, and foolish. Samson is an example of great strength gone to waste.

So here on a lonely tel, I remember Samson and call to mind those like him who show so much promise but fail in the end. I could name them from the distant past or today's headlines. But I will not; rather I will examine my own heart. I pray, "Lord, may my strength not go to waste."

Let Us Go Over to Bethlehem

On the sixth day of Christmas, four friends and I went "over to Bethlehem." Of course, it is the Orthodox Christmas which began January 6th.

Most shops and restaurants have beautifully decorated Christmas trees. The citizens greet you with "Merry Christmas" and "Happy New Year!"

As we talk with the people, hopes appear high for 2010. Indeed, there seems to be more activity in the City of David, and tourists have returned in greater numbers.

While it is a joy to speak of such expectations at this season, any journey to Bethlehem buoys my spirit and stirs my faith. This trip is no different. In the place where God came to earth in a baby, I am forever reminded that God is neither through with us, nor has He left us alone.

In Bethlehem where it is always Christmas for the pilgrim, I experience anew the love of God in Jesus. How wonderful it is to "go over to Bethlehem" once again!

A January Morning in En Gedi

Early today, twenty-seven seminarians, two professors, and I set out from Jerusalem for the Rift Valley along the Dead Sea. Our destinations were En Gedi and Masada.

En Gedi means "the spring of the kid" or "the mountain goat." The reserve is the gift of water in this otherwise desolate place. Little wonder, our ancestors here experienced water and remembered God with gratitude.

The reserve is alive with ibex, hyrax (the coney), and the red-winged blackbird. As we walk toward the spring in the mountainside, the air is cool and refreshing but already with the promise of an unseasonably warm January day.

En Gedi, located on this stretch of Dead Sea shoreline, is one example of the contrasts found in this remarkable land of the Bible. This land is a microcosm of the world we live in and calls out for us to embrace, enjoy, and protect all God's creation.