Israel 2022 - Reflection #32 - Masada

 

This is a model of King Herod's palaces at Masada. Ironically, this massive fortress was never even visited by him! 

This historical Jewish site was another of the wonderful surprises I had on this trip. Before the gondola ride, and hearing the story of the siege, I had no idea this place even existed. It seems that King Herod built this fortress outpost at the southern end of the kingdom in the mid-first century BC. The legend does not fully develop until the middle of the first century AD when a band of Jewish Zealots numbering approximately 1000, occupied this fortress. The Roman army could not let this happen. So, the small band of Jewish nationalists held off an army of ten thousand Roman soldiers for three years. The Romans built a huge earthwork to get to the gate and finally ended up battering their way in. When they went inside, legend says, all they found were dead bodies. It seems the Jews chose suicide over serving as Roman slaves. There are many loopholes in this account, but most of what we know about this siege came from a generally reliable Josephus Flavius, a Jewish historian. 

For years, the Jews and the nation of Israel used this battle of David and Goliath as a rallying cry for their own battle to become a nation. It is very similar to our using "Remember the Alamo!" Most of that has changed as the nation of Israel no longer wants to idolize religious zealots. 

While these ruins were certainly fascinating, particularly the way they stored water in this dry and barren land, there really is little connection to the Bible. Masada is never mentioned in the Bible. However, some people believe King David would have come here in his flight from then King Saul. Engedi is nearby and so are the caves of Qumran. Some have speculated that David would have visited here and used this high impenetrable flat-top rock as a refuge and fortress. Even without King Herod's construction, this would have been a great defensive position. 

So if we speculate that David and his small band of men were also here, we can look at scriptures like Psalm 18:2 as possibly describing Masada. The Hebrew word used by David for "fortress" literally means Masada.

'The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my
rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that
saves me, and my place of safety. ' Psalms 18:2 https://my.bible.com/bible/116/PSA.18.2

I have always loved this scripture. Thinking about God as my fortress, my rock, my protection, my shield, and a place of safety is comforting during difficult times. I receive an amazing power and boldness knowing God is with me. Yet, as I think about the story of Masada, I get a different view of a fortress. A fortress, like Masada, is impenetrable, for a time. It is a place of safety, for a time. But, the enemy is patient. By plotting and scheming, the enemy can lie in wait, waiting until your hope is gone. The enemy can force you to make choices out of desperation and promote a view your situation is hopeless. 

If you look at Masada from a different perspective, you might feel a deep sadness that the faith of these religious zealots had its limits. Their faith in the Lord was centered in the surrounding bedrock and sandstone, the gates that barred the enemy, and the security of being protected within the walls of this fortress. Gideon took 300 men and defeated the Midianites, not through his strength and power, but through the strength and power of the Lord. 

I can only imagine hopelessness so deep that killing yourself and your family seemed to be the only way out. I am not sure how heroic that is. What kind of faith is that? Is that relying upon God as your protection, your shield?  Is it believing in a Savior to come to your rescue?

Our hope is in the Lord who reigns on heaven and earth. When all seems hopeless and the enemy has you surrounded, remember the Lord. Yes, GOD is my rock. HE is my fortress.HE is my savior. HE is my protection. HE is my shield. I praise him that even when it would be easier to give up, HE will rescue me!

The dead sea lies on the horizon. This is the view from atop Masada looking to the east.

The rooms below were storehouse rooms used by the inhabitants to store food for seige. They could live for an extended time of siege. 

This a model of Herod's palace built at Masada. Ironically, he never used it!

The trails seen below Masada are thousands of years old.

Rami is demonstrating the elaborate system used to store water at Masada. During the rainy season, rain water from Jerusalem is directed down hill to Masada through a series of channels and canals. The water was stored in caves, and cisterns. The supply could last for over a year.

Although it is difficult to identify, in the center of this picture is a ramp built by the Romans to attack the gates of Masada. 

Masada was not excavated until 1964 and it continues to reveal great mysteries of the life of this fortress. 

Video Animation that describes Masada in relationship to the current nation of Israel.

Israel 2022 - Reflection #31 - Garden of Gethsemane

 

When I read any book, I build a picture in my mind as I am reading. That is part of the fun of reading. It is also very true of the Bible. When we got to the Garden of Gethsemane, I felt I had been here before. To my amazement, it was exactly as I had envisioned while reading. I love Mark's account of Jesus praying at the Garden of Gethsemane.

'They went to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and Jesus said, “Sit here while I go and pray.” He took Peter, James, and John

with him, and he became deeply troubled and distressed. He told

them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay

here and keep watch with me.” He went on a little farther and

fell to the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful

hour awaiting him might pass him by. “Abba, Father,” he cried

out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of

suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.

” Then he returned and found the disciples asleep. He said to

Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Couldn’t you watch with me

even one hour? Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give

in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

Then Jesus left them again and prayed the same prayer as

before. When he returned to them again, he found them

sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open. And they didn’t

know what to say. When he returned to them the third time, he

said, “Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But no—the time

has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

Up, let’s be going. Look, my betrayer is here!” ' Mark 14:32-42https://my.bible.com/bible/116/MRK.14.32-42

There is no debate about why Jesus came here. This place was quiet and peaceful, even in the middle of a hot, hot day, I could sense calm in this place. As I read this scripture and reflect on Jesus' agony, my initial reaction is why couldn't James, Peter, and John just stay awake. Couldn't they sense, couldn't they see the agony on Jesus' face? To walk from Jerusalem to Gethsemane would have taken a fair amount of time. I am guessing, Jesus was very quiet. The only part of the conversation we know was about Jesus being deserted by his followers. (Mark 14:27-31) The night was filled with the gloom of the coming events. In verse 40, we are told the disciples didn't know what to say.  So, I am guessing they were very quiet too. The walk across the valley would have been filled with unexpressed emotion. I don't know about you, but I have been there. I have been to the point, sitting with a friend going through a tough time, and not knowing what to say. When I try to decide what words are appropriate I just can't find them. The silence is deafening. 

As I have matured in my faith, when I do not know what to say, I go to the Lord in prayer. Many times this prayer is not vocalized. Sometimes a prayer in this moment is better left in the heart. Other times it is important to pray together with your friend. I am not sure I can explain how you know. But, we can always approach the throne of God. He knows what to say even when we are at a loss for words. 

'In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not
know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes
for us through wordless groans. ' Romans 8:26https://my.bible.com/bible/111/ROM.8.26

I am so thankful to worship a God that knows me, he cares for me, he loves me, and when I cannot find words, he intercedes. I praise God for that kind of personal relationship!

Looking across to the walls of Jerusalem from Gethsemane

This path going between Jerusalem and Gethsemane may have been the exact path Jesus took with his disciples the night before his crucifixion. 

This is the eastern gate, the Golden gate to the Old city. Jesus would have used this gate often on his way to Gethsemane and the Mount of Olives. 

Beautiful flowers of Gethsemane.

The Olive trees here in the Garden would have been present on the night Jesus prayed here. At the very least, the roots of these trees live for thousands of years. 

The Church of Gethsemane

Inside the church is a rock where Jesus might have prayed!

Here is a video from inside the church and a service being held there. This is such a beautiful place.

Israel 2022 - Reflection #30 - The Pinnacle of the Temple

 

This stone is a remnant of the Temple AND it has significance in that it has an inscription that identifies it. This stone is from the pinnacle of the Temple. It is this place the trumpeters would herald the coming Sabbath. But most importantly for me this also could have been the site where Jesus was tempted by Satan:

'Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the

Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the

Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect and guard you.

And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt

your foot on a stone.’ ” Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also

say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’ ” When the devil had

finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity

came. ' Luke 4:9-13. https://my.bible.com/bible/116/LUK.4.9-13

In the last of the temptations, Jesus was asked to test God by jumping from the highest point of the Temple. This carved stone would have been there! 

I am so thankful I serve a GOOD GOD! He is not selfish, he is not about himself. He could have accepted Satan's challenge, but he had a mission to save US and he was not to be denied. He loves us so much and he created us to be in relationship with him, not just for a passing moment. He desires to be with us throughout eternity and has provided a way we can be saved. Thank you Lord.

'Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can

live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. I urge

you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede

on their behalf, and give thanks for them. This is good and pleases God

our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.

For, There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and

humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom

for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right

time. ' 1 Timothy 2:1-6 https://my.bible.com/bible/116/1TI.2.1-6

On the day of the temptation, Jesus defeated Satan for the moment. Later he would win the final victory on the cross. He has provided us a way to join him defeating all the bad things we find in this world. PRAISE GOD!!!!!!!!! 

I can just imagine Jesus walking on these first-century streets, teaching, and enjoying his disciples. 

More pictures of the outer walls of the Temple mount. This is a remnant of the main entrance into the Temple area. I forget the name of this particular arch.

The construction of these walls are fascinating. The stones are laid in a way they appear to lean inward. 

You can see a few of the arches which were former entrances to the temple area. 

Israel 2022 - Relfection #29 - Western Wall

Our trip to the Western Wall was filled with a wide range of emotions. As we were entering through the gate of the Old City the first thing we see is a Bar Mitzvah taking place. I was able to capture part of the celebration in the video below:

During the entire afternoon, we were surrounded by Israeli military personnel. I have to admit it was a little unnerving to see this presence throughout the area. Then we split men and women to pray at the wall. That was such a powerful moment realizing that I was at such a sacred spot for many Jews and this last remaining remnant of the outer wall of the Temple area has such a key place in the hearts of Christians as well. Jesus loved coming to the Temple to teach. I could not get out of my mind these verses in Isaiah --

'“I will also bless the foreigners who commit themselves to the

Lord , who serve him and love his name, who worship him and

do not desecrate the Sabbath day of rest, and who hold fast to

my covenant. I will bring them to my holy mountain of Jerusalem

and will fill them with joy in my house of prayer. I will accept their

burnt offerings and sacrifices, because my Temple will be called

a house of prayer for all nations. For the Sovereign Lord , who

brings back the outcasts of Israel, says: I will bring others, too,

besides my people Israel.” ' Isaiah 56:6-8https://my.bible.com/bible/116/ISA.56.6-8

I certainly felt joy praying at this remnant of the Temple. It is such an honor to be welcomed at this Holy site even though we were not born into the Jewish faith. I also felt awe and reverence as I placed my hand on the stone, placed my written prayer in the crack, and had a peaceful time meditating with the Lord. I praise the Lord as an adopted member of his family.

But I also had a thought about Jesus' indignation in these verses:

'Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people

buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the

tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling

doves. He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will

be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of

thieves!” ' Matthew 21:12-13 https://my.bible.com/bible/116/MAT.21.12-13

The presence of the military and the general feeling I got from the crowd was not of reverence, it was more a feeling of carnival. Don't get me wrong, I did not see anything outwardly inappropriate and I understand the Bar Mitzvah and the Bat Mitzvah celebrations are Jewish religious ceremonies. I think the combination of the crowd and the activity in the area did not reach the level of reverence I felt a Holy Site should receive. 

As I am writing this and thinking about the desecration of the Temple that angered Jesus and reflecting how that relates to us, today. I reflect on these verses.

'Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit,

who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not

belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you

must honor God with your body.' 1 Corinthians 6:19-20https://my.bible.com/bible/116/1CO.6.19-20

How often do I think of my own body as a temple to the Lord, filled with the Holy Spirit, to be used for His glory? Jesus paid such a high price for me, he gave his life that I might live. The Holy Spirit fills me, loves me, guides me, and watches over me. Do I desecrate this temple, this holy place of the Lord? 

This was the Western Wall as we arrived in the morning in Jerusalem.

This was later in the day at the Western Wall. Tradition is to pray here and place a rolled up written prayer into the cracks between the large stones. 

I was a little intimidated by the extreme military presence. They often have a type of swearing in ceremony for new military members. It is my understanding that All Israeli citizens are required to serve in the military. 

Israel - Reflection #28 - Antonia Fortress

This is a model of Jerusalem, the temple and Antonia Fortress

The Antonia Fortress, located in the upper right northwest corner of the Temple area, is the start of Jesus' walk to the cross. The amount of pain inflicted on Jesus at this particular spot, for you and I, would have killed most men. 

'Some of the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters

and called out the entire regiment. They stripped him and put a

scarlet robe on him. They wove thorn branches into a crown and

put it on his head, and they placed a reed stick in his right hand

as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery and taunted,

“Hail! King of the Jews!” And they spit on him and grabbed the

stick and struck him on the head with it. When they were finally

tired of mocking him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes

on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified. Along the

way, they came across a man named Simon, who was from

Cyrene, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. And

they went out to a place called Golgotha (which means “Place of

the Skull”). The soldiers gave Jesus wine mixed with bitter gall,

but when he had tasted it, he refused to drink it. ' Matthew 27:27-34. https://my.bible.com/bible/116/MAT.27.27-34

In my mind, I have always imagined the streets much wider than they were and all the streets of Jerusalem were crowded, filled with shops, vendors, and merchants of all types. I tried to catch the flavor of this modern marketplace in my photos. I don't know this for sure, but my guess is that ancient Jerusalem was much the same. It was Passover, so the city would have been packed with pilgrims. To think of Jesus carrying the cross after being beaten for nearly a half-mile, uphill, to Golgotha on these narrow streets, filled with people, brings deep sadness to my heart. The physical pain, the public humiliation he suffered, not because he did anything wrong, but because he loved me, brings tears to my eyes. 

As we walked these streets and saw the hustle and bustle of activity, I had a deep sense of sadness that most of these people, most of the merchants, most of the locals, and many of the visitors that walk these streets every day completely miss the impact of where they are and the power of what happened here. Although, it does not suprise me. I have Christian friends that have accepted Jesus and don't live thinking about the significance of this event and the part we played in causing this pain and suffering. Knowing WE were the cause of Jesus' pain and suffering, his ultimate death on the cross should change us. Our lives every day should be lived thinking about him walking these streets to his death. 

'Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that
weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment
from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for
our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be
whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep,
have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own.
Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all. ' Isaiah 53:4-6. https://my.bible.com/bible/116/ISA.53.4-6

Under the modern city are the original streets, possibly walked by Jesus!

Although it is difficult to see, this stone has a game, (the circle in the lower right) that would have been used for gambling, or casting lots as indicated in Matthew 27:35 - "After they nailed him to the cross, the soldiers gambled for his clothing by throwing dice. "

The narrow streets of Jerusalem were packed with people, vendors, and the market!