Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death.
Hebrews‬ ‭2‬:‭14‬ NLT

Today we explored the City of David, visited the Temple steps, prayed at the Western Wall, trekked through the tunnel underneath the Western Wall, and paid our respects to the 6 million victims of the Holocaust as we visited Yad Vashem.

One of the things I love best about my faith is that our God was not satisfied to stay separate from us. That in sending the child born in Bethlehem, God chose to dwell among us as one of us. To “take on flesh and move into the neighborhood” as one of my favorite translations (The Message) of John 1:14 puts it.

Because of that, a trip like the one my fellow pilgrims and I are taking is possible.

Today we stood on the Temple steps – the same steps Jesus would have used to enter the temple. Scholars can argue about the authenticity of virtually every other significant Christian site in Israel, but they cannot argue about the Temple steps. Jesus was there. Repeatedly. Undoubtedly. In the flesh.

I remember being so excited by that on my last trip to the Holy Land. And one of my dreams for this trip was to get a photo of my Mom, Dad and I touching the steps. There are areas of the steps that have been restored and areas that have been left as they were found. For the three of us to lay our hands on the unrestored steps together is a symbol.

A symbol that speaks to the fact that my journey of faith has always been lead by my folks. They are my biological parents, but they are also my spiritual parents. They taught me from my earliest days what it means to love and follow Jesus. When I moved to Thunder Bay to attend Lakehead University, they came with me to check out the local Presbyterian churches during summer vacation, so i could choose where I would worship when school began. When I started lay preaching they encouraged me and prayed for me. When I attended seminary they wept with me during the tough times, celebrated with me during the good times and always spent time discussing the things I was learning with me. When I accepted the call to St. Luke’s in Oshawa, and then to St. Andrew’s in Brampton, they supported me every single step of the way.

So for the three of us to lay our hands down on the steps where Jesus walked, the steps where he would have sat and taught those who would listen, the steps he would have taken as a boy and as a man, speaks to the fact that my faith has always been a group effort with my folks.

I thank God for them (even when they drive me crazy, which is regularly!) and I thank God that we have had the opportunity to take this life changing trip together.

No matter who you are – God has provided people to surround you, support you and be with you on the journey. Name those people in your prayers this evening – tell God how much you appreciate being in community as you journey in faith.

“ ‘When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God. Leviticus‬ ‭19‬:‭33-34‬ NIV

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.
Hebrews‬ ‭13‬:‭2‬ NIV

Today we scaled the heights of Masada (Herod’s Northern palace and the site of the last stronghold of Jewish rebels in 74AD), stopped at Wadi Kelt overlooking the ancient Jericho Road (the same one Jesus talked about in a certain parable – we got to sing “On the Jericho Road” while there…AMAZING!!), road camels and enjoyed the Bedouin hospitality at Genesisland and sung a Christmas Carol beside the manger in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

As has been true of each day on this trip, it was a day packed with amazing moments. We arrived at Masada as the first group of the day and got to do our tour with almost no one else around. We had a beautiful musical moment at Wadi Kelt. We had an emotional and beautiful time at the Church of the Nativity.

But the thing that blew me away was Genesisland. It sounds like a kitschy tourist trap. But it is actually the Old Testament version of Nazareth Village. Instead of a working farm using the methods that would have been used in Jesus’ day, this was an experience of Bedouin hospitality as it would have been in the time of Abraham.

After riding camels (real, live, honking CAMELS!!!) lead by the servant Eliezer, out to Abraham’s tent, we were warmly welcomed by Abraham, who poured refreshing water on our hands and invited us to recline at tables in the tent. After telling us about his life, Abraham called for us to be served lunch. We ate chicken and kebabs, salads and pitas, and drank lemonade.

Abraham took the time to explain how important hospitality is to him and his people. That in a desert place a lack of hospitality could mean death for the traveller. He made the point that it also means a slow spiritual death for the one who chooses not to offer the hospitality. For a lack of sharing makes the heart grow cold.

He thanked us for traveling such a long way to allow him to do the mitzvah (good deed) of hospitality. And asked that we think of all that we enjoyed today the next time we have the opportunity to extend hospitality to a stranger, and take the opportunity to share with them as he had shared with us.

Abraham said he wasn’t a preacher, but he did a good job of summarizing what Jesus would have to say about hospitality, as far as I was concerned. He spoke with passion, inspiring us as we listened to live lives of kindness and generosity. Is this not the call of Jesus to every believer?

As we sang today overlooking Wadi Kelt: “to be a neighbor, the master said (on the Jericho Road), is to show compassion as that man did, for even faith without works is dead (on the Jericho Road, on the Jericho Road)”

May you experience beautiful hospitality and may you be the one who gets to practice the mitzvah of hospitality towards others. Both are deep blessings in their own right.

Masada – perfect day to explore this amazing place and hear the stories.

Luke reading the parable of the Good Samaritan at Wadi Kelt, over looking the ancient Jericho Road.

Riding a camel with Luke on our way to Abraham’s tent. It was terrifying and fun all at the same time!

The wonderful spread Abraham had for us – this was just he first course!

Abraham himself – a wonderful host, speaker and story teller.

Riding a camel with my Dad on the way back from lunch. Dad was a trooper getting up there with me. Fulfilled one of my dreams for this trip!

Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
John‬ ‭4‬:‭10, 13-14‬ NIV

Today we travelled to Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, baptized one of our pilgrims in the Jordan River at Qaser El Yahud – the place where John baptized Jesus, shopped at Ahava’s factory outlet and floated in the Dead Sea.

Tonite’s blog is going to be a short one friends – I’ve just about hit empty on the old energy tank.

Still – I couldn’t go to bed without sharing some thoughts about water in a desert place. Today was dubbed “the aquafecta” by Geoff who swam in the Sea of Galilee, waded in the Jordan and floated in the Dead Sea.

The amazing thing – other than getting to do all three in one day – is that we did this while traveling from a green and fertile land in the Galilee to a barren desert. As the bus headed south, we began to notice an abundance of rocks in the fields. Then within a few minutes we were aware that we were seeing a little scrub grass between the rocks. A short while later, the green was all but gone and we knew that we had entered the desert.

When God wants to bless the people of Israel, he promises them springs in the desert wasteland. When Jesus wants people to understand salvation, he speaks of offering them living water. This is because in the desert, nothing is as precious as water. Nothing marks the line between life and death so clearly as how much water you have.

What God offers us is a choice between life and death. The way of Jesus is a spring of living water – eternal life – that wells up in us when his Spirit dwells in us. Without him we are left to face the wages of sin: death. Whether spiritual, emotional or physical.

May you, my friends, choose life. May his Spirit well up in you, a fountain of living water, even in a desert place.

Starting the morning on the shores of a very breezy Sea of Galilee.

Baptizing Sankar Roopnarine in the Jordan River.

The caves of Qumran in the background. Where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found.

Floating in the Dead Sea.

Mudded up at the Dead Sea – very good for the skin, the mud has essential nutrients that revive skin cells. So soft afterward!

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”
Matthew‬ ‭16‬:‭13-18‬ NIV

Today we strolled through the wilderness at Dan (another Tel – this one dating back 3000 years); stopped at the ruins of Caesarea Phillipi (where Jesus asked the disciples, “who do you say I am?” And Peter answered “you are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”); explored the castle of Nimrod; ate at a Druze restaurant on the side of a volcano; stood on the Golan Heights hearing the sounds of gunfire in nearby Syria which is tearing itself apart in civil war; and toured an ecologically sound olive oil press.

As we wandered around Ceasarea Phillipi (which really is just a cliff and a few short walking trails), my Mother said to me, “it does make you wonder why Jesus brought the disciples here…I mean, other than a teachable moment, there’s nothing here.”

Sometimes, when someone asks me a spiritually significant question, I find myself answering with words that come to me seemingly from nowhere. It’s like I’m answering without quite knowing what I am going to say. Time and faith have taught me that the words aren’t coming from nowhere, that they are in fact coming from the Holy Spirit.

That’s what I believe happened when I gave her this answer: “But, Mom, it was one hell of a teachable moment. I mean, here is Jesus standing in front of what everybody in that day believed were the gates of Hell, and he’s saying to the disciples ‘upon you, I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.’ So – when I die, and it seems like the end, the gates of hell will not prevail against it. Or when you are imprisoned and beaten for your faith, the gates of hell will not prevail against it…” I had to stop talking then, because we had both choked up. And as we took shaky breaths, laughing a little at how quickly the tears had come upon us, I marveled again at our saviour, Jesus.

I marveled at his ability to use his surroundings to underscore his words. I marveled at this promise – that no matter what the world or the forces of evil could throw at those who believe in Jesus, they would not be overcome. Not while Jesus was with them (and we know he promised to be there to the end of time). I marveled at his reckless, beautiful, overwhelming conviction that the Gospel message was safe in the hands of a bunch of unschooled fishermen whose job it was to take this message to the world. I marveled that even now, two thousand years later, through all the scandals and failures over the years, the promise rings true.

If you believe in Jesus and live your life according to his teachings, you ARE the church. And the gates of hell will never prevail against you.

Be encouraged, I know I am.

Geoff and our guide Aharon, with the ruins of Dan in the background.

Standing in one of the empty alcoves where there used to be a stone “god.” Jesus stood in front of these statues as Peter declared him the Son of the Living God.

Exploring the castle of Nimrod. Wow, I absolutely love castles. And got a great workout running up and down stairs. 🙂

On the Golan Heights – dad and our guide, Aharon, looking out at Syria. Aharon served in the Yom Kippur war when he was 19 years old. His passion for his country showed as he told his story.

Our tour guide at Olea Essence, Courtney, who happens to be from Ottawa. She did a great job of showing us around this ecologically sound producer of fine olive oils and skin products (it’s how they use the “waste” after pressing the oil out!).

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.
1 John‬ ‭1‬:‭1-2‬ NIV

One of my favorite memories of my last trip to Israel is seeing my friend Doug Rollwage exclaim “Right here! Right here!” while practically hopping with excitement. Today was a day filled with “right here” moments as we visited the Mount of the Beatitudes (where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount); sailed on the Sea of Galilee; ascended to the top of Mount Arbel (the view was astounding!); visited Tabgha (where the miracle of the loaves and fishes happened); and walked through Capernaum (Peter’s home town and the place that Jesus used as a home base after leaving Nazareth).

“Right here” moments are a powerful thing. To stand where Jesus stood. To walk where he walked. To gaze out at the shores of Galilee and know that you are seeing the same hills that he saw. This experience is not easily explained and it will never be forgotten.

“Right here” moments are possible because God loves us enough to send Jesus. Jesus loved us enough to step out of Heaven – perfect joy, peace and love – into our messy broken world. Jesus loved us enough to walk down the dusty pathways all along the sea, teaching us how to live as God would have us live. Jesus loved us enough to take our brokenness into himself, to heal it through the power of a sinless life and a sacrificial death.

And because of a that, two thousand years later a group of Canadian pilgrims can stand in awe, whispering “right here, right here” in our hearts.

What joy! What blessing! What a gift from God whose love is abundant and abundantly manifest in Jesus!

Amen and amen.

Dad reading the Beatitudes on the Mount of the Beatitudes, just as I did on my first visit.

Kim Shepherd and I enjoying the experience of sailing on the Sea of Galilee.

Luke enjoying the amazing view from Mount Arbel.

Regan reading scripture in the synagogue in Capernaum.

From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.
‭John‬ ‭1‬:‭16‬ NLT

Today we travelled to the ancient ruins of Sephorus/Zippori (most likely where Joseph and his apprentice son, Jesus, would have plied their trade); hiked the Tel Megiddo (21 layers of civilization and the place named in the Bible for the final spiritual battle to end everything…Armageddon in English is “Har Megiddo” – hill of Megiddo – in Hebrew); toured the farm of Nazareth Village (a live museum, if you would – a working farm using first century tools and methods); wandered through the Church of the Annunciation (built on the ruins of the house where Mary would have been living when she was visited by the Angel, Gabriel); and stopped in Cana (the site of Jesus’ first public miracle) to purchase wedding wine.

The wonderful thing about today for me was the unexpected. Both the trip to the Church of the Annunciation and the stop in Cana were not on our itinerary. But because our guide is amazing, he made the suggestion of the trip to the Church of the Annunciation and was happy to oblige my Dad’s request to stop in Cana.

Both places turned out to be wonderful additions to our day. In the lower level of the Church of the Annunciation is the grotto with the ruins of Mary’s house. While we gazed at the ancient ruins of her home in Nazareth, there was a Catholic service taking place upstairs in the sanctuary of the church. We were surrounded by worship music (albeit in a different language!) as we marveled at the ruins. We couldn’t have planned that if we tried. It was an unexpected blessing – a gift from our abundantly generous God.

When we stopped in Cana we got to taste the wedding wine before purchasing it, if we wished. And in the way of Christians everywhere, we found ourselves sharing a moment of community and fellowship in the midst of what was otherwise a tacky souvenir shop. It’s astounding how God’s people gathered together can transform a place. In some ways it was a silly little stop. But seen through what one of my friends calls a “baptized imagination,” it was another unexpected blessing.

God is good. All the time.

My Dad at the shop where we picked up wedding wine in Cana.

The altar places in the ruins of Mary’s house in Nazareth.

The front of the Church of the Annunciation.

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭3‬ NIV

I always knew this tour of Israel would be different from the last one. For one thing – I am one of the people leading this group of pilgrims. Geoff is leading as well and as in all things to do with St. Andrew’s, I am deeply thankful to be part of a team instead of “the sole person in charge.” We also have an amazing guide, Aarhon (who has already impressed us all with his knowledge) and a bus driver, Benny (the bus drivers are my heroes – they can maneuver those vehicles along winding roads and into tight spots that would give me nightmares!).

But the thing that really makes this trip different, is the group of pilgrims that have gathered to have this experience together. Some are family (Hi, Mom and Dad), some are friends, some are members of St. A’s and some were complete strangers a few short hours ago.

I have to admit, what I have enjoyed most about today is seeing the look of awe in my Father’s eyes as we came to places he has spent more than 40 years preaching about, but never before laid eyes upon. His jaw dropped when he saw the little “creek” that is known as the Jordan River. He got choked up upon seeing Pontius Pilate’s name carved in stone. He gazed in amazement as we caught the first glimpse of the Sea of Galilee.

To be able to share this experience with my Dad – who has also, always, been my spiritual parent as well as my biological parent – is treading on truly holy ground. What a blessing. What a dream come true. What a gift from God.

Right now we are cruising at 39,000ft. outside our aircraft the air is a brittle -46c/-51f. We have about 5232m/4802km to travel until we land in Tel Aviv.

I’m not a good flier, and this part of traveling is difficult on me. But at the same time, I am so excited. We are on our way. Months of planning and prayer and hope and anxiety and joy are culminating into an experience that I and 21 other travelers will carry with us for the rest of our lives. Right now, in this aircraft, a dream of mine is taking form.

And it is worth it. Worth 10.5 hrs in the air. Worth traveling with a cold. Worth the exhaustion. Worth all of the work that has brought us to this moment and all of the work still to be done once I am on the ground.

Our clerk of Session, Molly Harvey, sent a small gift for each of our travelers. On it was the symbol of a fish (the icthus – an ancient symbol by which Christians would identify themselves and declare their faith), and an encouraging verse from the Bible. Molly chose this verse for me:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

Molly knows that I find flying difficult, and that I believe in trusting in the Lord. Sometimes the smallest word of kindness means the most. I am thankful for this word of encouragement, which will travel with me throughout this trip and for all of the other words of prayer and encouragement that friends, colleagues and congregants have spoken directly to me or on my behalf to God.

I carry you with me, as the poet said, I carry you in my heart. And my life is made better, brighter and stronger by your presence in it.

I can’t stop thinking that it’s all happening. The trip is finally here, and I couldn’t have made it here without you. You are a blessing which I trust the Lord to provide.

Chances are, there are people in your life that you feel that way about. That you know you couldn’t have made it this far without. Take a moment and let them know – you will be honoring God as you honor them.

Let the Holy Land blogging begin!

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭8-12‬ NIV

The story of God’s love is for everyone. So much so, that the first announcement of the birth of the King of Kings is not to the lofty and the privileged, but to a few lowly shepherds who were working the night shift, watching their sheep.

Shepherds were outcasts. They stank. They were ritually unclean. They were poor and uneducated. They were not welcomed by society at large.

And yet, it is to these men that Heaven breaks forth with good news of great joy. You might ask why – why would God announce such an important event to such humble men? The answer is love. Love that is so steadfast, so powerful, so boundless that it reaches out and elevates the lowest.

God’s love is for everyone. For those we wish we could ignore, for those we love, for those we will never know.

This Advent, may you find your life elevated by the boundless, powerful, steadfast love of God. May you be filled to overflowing with that love, so that it reaches out and through you, elevated the lives of those around you.

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭6-7‬ NIV

They’d travelled far. And they must have been so very tired. But the whole town was booked. Inn after inn, and not a room to be found. In the end, they settled in the stable with the animals. It may not have been pretty, but they were just poor peasants, after all. They were inside and warm, and there was a place for the newborn, so why complain?

To the inn keeper and any one else who might have happened by, it was just another baby. The innkeeper hadn’t been visited by angels. He couldn’t have known it was Heaven’s child being born among the animals.

But it’s different for us. Isn’t it? Each year we come to this story – but we know the ending already. We know who this child is and what his birth meant. We know how he lived and what he taught. We know how he chose to lay down his life for us. Eek now how he rose again on the third day.

Each year we come to this story, we have the chance to ask ourselves again: will we make room for the child? Will we take him in? Allow his birth, his life, his teachings, his death and his resurrection to be at home within our hearts?

If we do, if we make room for him, we will be transformed. No longer able to live simply as children of this world, but adopted into the holy family, made citizens of heaven, with all its rights and privileges and duties. Made over into children of light and love whose purpose it is to spread light and love into the dark places of our world.

This Advent, may you make room for the Christ child. May you know why he came and may you find that it is your purpose to share the light and love you’ve found in him with everyone you meet.