After spending two weeks in Jerusalem and two weeks in Bethlehem we took flight to Greece.
I have to admit, I was more than ready to leave the Middle East.
As much as I loved to experience and see with my own eyes the biblical history and places where Jesus had walked, it became tiresome to be inbetween the constant religious tensions.
The old city is divided into 4 unequal "quarters" making separations between the Muslims, Christians, Armenians and Jews. From a street running between one section and another you could notice a drastic difference in the atmosphere of that area.
There were also some disappointments in the way some monumental places looked compared to my imaginative "Sunday School" depiction. Jesus' tomb looked nothing like a carved out cave in a stone wall with an angel sitting atop the giant stone rolled to the side of the entrance. There was no garden, no path, no cave, no stone and certianly no angels. Instead, a giant church was erected upon the 'supposed site' and the grave was made into a shrine sort of thing with candles, insense, paintings of the apostles and gold-lined carvings. People lined up to go inside for their spiritual experience. I wanted so badly to tell them that Jesus is alive now and they could have an encounter with Him anywhere and anytime they want, but in a place such as Jerusalem, this ancient argument - as old as it is - would be as pointless as fighting fire with gasoline. The Mount of Olives also looked much different than what I saw in my mind's eye. Instead of mountain peaks of green grass with random grazing sheep and a few rocks and olive trees here and there, the Mount of Olives was more of a large hill and was covered in graves.
Through out the time in the Middle East, I learned so much. My eyes were opened to how real the continual spiritual battle is. Caleb Thomason taught us firstly about Jesus in the Old Testament, and secondly of Jesus in the New Testament. Here are some photos from Israel.
The Western Wall (Wailing Wall) with the Dome of the Rock in the background. The Dome is the Muslim's third most holy place, and the Western Wall is the last remaining wall of the temple built by King Herod.
Caleb Thomason leans against an Olive tree while teaching outside the Old City of Jerusalem. Outdoor classes were pretty distracting, but so cool.
Our group sits near Jaffa gate for class. It was pretty cool to study the Bible in a place like Jerusalem.
The Dome of the Rock with the Mount of Olives in the background. This was the view from the "New Petra Hostel" in the Old City, Jerusalem.
Yasif was very friendly and offered for me to take a photo of him.
Some encouragement from a fellow monk outside the Garden of Gathsemane.
The Garden of Gathsemane.
A Jewish man visits some graves on the Mount of Olives.
Three Muslim ladies walk throughout the Old City of Jerusalem.
In the Muslim quarter we found many kids playing with toy guns.
In the Church of the Holy Sepulchre a woman lights candles near the place where Mary Met Jesus after the resurection.
Walking throughout the Old City, Jerusalem. People watching was one of my favourite things to do.
mmm.. good food!
Having a traditional Shabbot meal with some people we met at the wailing wall.
Visitng the nativity church in Bethlehem.
Some relics from inside the nativity church.
Streets of the Old City, Jerusalem.
On their way to the synagogue.
Walking to our hostel at night. This is the outside wall of the Old City, near Jaffa gate.
Some more streets of the Old City in Jerusalem.
Nearing the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
The Dead Sea on the Jordan side.
Ancient Ruins of Jerash.
Visiting the Citadel in Amman, Jordan.
Walking the streets of Amman, Jordan.
Blog post about Greece coming up soon!!
