thericechronicles: First Two Days in the Holy Land

Friday, April 6, 2018

First Two Days in the Holy Land

Hello My Dear Great Ones,

At long last I have made my pilgrimage to Israel, the Holy Land, where Jesus Christ ministered and lived, died and rose again. I went with two ladies named Celia Rose, who both have a strong faith in Jesus Christ and have devoted much of their lives serving Him. It is hard to put how special my faith in Jesus Christ is in words, but basically it gives me LIFE. I have floundered many times in my faith in Jesus, struggles with sin is part of my reality, but my Jesus forgives and He died for my sins.

Israel is a beautiful, compact country. Their are many natural, God given wonders. It is also intense due to the high concentration of faiths in a small area. Jewish, Islamic, Christian, and secular with all its sects and denominations mingle in a tight area. And of course the tension of the Palestinians and Israelis hangs like a constant fog, blowing up occasionally in violence. Yet I felt the peace of Jesus everywhere and it was wonderful to see people praying and seeking peace with their fellow man. Just like Jesus.

The following is a brief summary of what we saw and did in Israel during the first two days of our trip. Much more to come later.

Day 1: We travelled to four different places and got to see a lot of Israel.

Our first stop was Wadi Qelt, a desert just outside of Jerusalem. Was amazing.

Of course there were some people trying to sell their wares.

We then went to Yardenit Baptismal Site.

Yardenit (Hebrew: ירדנית‎), also known as the Yardenit Baptismal Site, is a baptism site located along the Jordan River in the Galilee region of northern Israel, which is frequented by Christian pilgrims. The site is located south of the river's outlet from theSea of Galilee, near Kibbutz Kvutzat Kinneret, which owns and manages the site.

The site had several plaques with the scripture Mark 1:9-11 in different languages.

Russians were conducting a baptism while we were there. It was beautiful.

We then went to Capernaum.

A fish-market and frontier post beside the Sea of Galilee, Capernaum became Jesus’ home town and the scene of many of his miracles. It was also the home of the first disciplesJesus called — the fishermen Peter, Andrew, James and John, and the tax collector Matthew (who as Levi collected taxes in the customs office).

In this town:

• Jesus worshipped and taught in thesynagogue — where his teaching made a deep impression on the local people because, unlike the scribes, he taught with authority. (Mark 1:21-22)

Sea of Galilee

Finally we ended up in Nazareth
Nazareth is described by some as ‘the Forgotten Son’ of Israeli tourism. Nazareth, located in Israel’s Galilee region not only has over a dozen important Christian sites, but as Israel’s largest Arab city, has some fascinating cultural sites and experiences to savor. The Pope came to Israel in early 2009, and Nazareth was one of the areas given big government grants to improve its tourism infrastructure for this. As a result, Nazareth has been given a push back onto Israel’s tourism map – and with its importance as the childhood home of Jesus, as the largest Arab city in Israel, and its stunning location right in the middle of the Lower Galilee (about 15 miles west of the Sea of Galilee), it’s a fascinating place.

Nazareth’s Old City is most famous for its traditional shuk (Arabic for market) which attracts Israelis from across the country looking for traditional Arabic produce. This in itself is an experience, and a great contrast to the air-conditioned malls dotted around the country. For those interested in Christianity, the Old City and surrounds are filled with important Christian sites, including the Church of the Annunciation.

The next day we headed out to the Dead Sea area. Our first stop was the Oasis Ein Gedi.
Ein Gedi, just aside the Dead Sea in the Judean Desert, not too far from Jerusalem, is one of Israel’s premier hiking spots, featuring spectacular beauty, varied landscapes, and botanical gardens. There’s no doubt that Ein Gedi Nature Reserve is one of the most beautiful places in Israel. Not too far from Jerusalem, yet it feels worlds away, Ein Gedi is, of course, one of the most popular escape spots for Israelis who take advantage of the reserve, botanical gardens, and the Dead Sea.

On the way there we saw a tank and a camel. Interesting.

The entrance to Ein Gedi.

Next stop was Masada.

Masada is not only important because it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site or an ancient fortress occupying a breathtaking, strategic location high on a flat plateau above the Dead Sea, but because of its symbolic importance as a symbol of determination and heroism which continues to this day with many Israeli soldiers sworn in here.

Masada is one of the greatest archaeological sites in Israel and, perhaps, across the world. Its dramatic ascent can now be made by cable-car, but the drama and imagery that this site portrays is no less powerful than it ever was. Many people opt to join a tour to Masada, enjoying a guide who will bring the site to life.

Celia and I decided to climb up. A good workout it was!

For the weaker ones a cable car whisked people up in 3 minutes.

Views of the Dead Sea.

At the top!

See the people below?

And finally we spent time at the Dead Sea.

The Dead Sea known in Hebrew as Yam Ha-Melakh (the Sea of Salt) is the lowest point on earth, surrounded by the stunning landscape of the Negev Desert. The shores of the Dead Sea are the lowest point on the surface of the earth, and the saline water of the lake give lead to the name ‘Dead Sea’ because no fish can survive in the salty waters. The other result of the salty water of the Dead Sea is their renowned health and healing properties and the unique feature that one can float naturally in them.