Coming Home

Day 10

Today, our last day in Israel and the feelings are mixed. On the one hand, I am ready to get home to see my husband and youngest kiddo. I know the rest of my fellow travelers feel the same. On the other hand...I have learned so much here and I could probably stay another 10 days and still not know enough. I look forward to the familiar, but I love the broken box I have escaped. We have tried new things and seen sights that our small town, small state, or large country just cannot provide.

We started our day at Garden of the Tomb. This is the second candidate for where crucifixion of Jesus could be. It’s disputed because we are 2000 years later and many people have ruled this city between then and now. The Romans, Byzantine, Muslims and Crusaders all had a say in the destruction and rebuilding this land. We had an on special guide to walk us through the different markings around the site Showing why this was the actual crucifixion place and tomb. One thing he said that I love and it was something I thought all week long...

We do not worship the site. We worship Jesus. That can be done here at the rock or back in Sapulpa OK.

You do not need to be in Israel to know my God. You do not need to touch or kiss the rock to make you feel closer. We read again the chapter of Isaiah 53 talking about the sacrifice that would need to be made.

Psalm 22: 30-31 Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn - for he has done it.

We met together in a small section within the garden where Pastor Smokey gave us a lesson on unleavened bread and the pressing of grapes to make wine. His lesson brought us to the partaking of Holy communion together. It was simple, quiet, perfect.

Our next stop was at the museum, Friends of Zion. It was interesting to see how many people came together...non Jews, to save the Jew and Israel. One room we entered had the largest digital mural with 36 interactive touchscreen displays. When you touch on a single image it comes to life and it gives you a few lines of information about that person‘s history. In another room we heard about the different people trying to save different Jewish communities and families during the Holocaust. At the end of the presentation they were beams of light across the room shooting out of the ceiling. When you reached your hand out into the beam you could see the name and face of a person that was saved. It was like holding a life in your hands.

The question we were left with...and the question I will ask you to ponder too...What does it mean to say, “Here am I”? Is this something you are willing to say at God’s request? What if it means sacrifice? What if it is hard? What if you have to die completely to self?

We began the long drive back toward the airport. Another stop along the way...Caesarea. This is where the Gentiles first heard the good news and were baptized by Peter. King Herod built another site that also went the rough the same takings over and destruction that Jerusalem met. This city, however, is by the Mediterranean Sea. He could go to Greece or Rome very quickly. Say I love you and come back more powerful. This place was huge. Thousands of workers/slaves to build.
Smokey offered us another lesson about Jonah who left from this port to run as far away from his calling as he possibly could. He also reminded us that God calls us to love those that are unloveable...love those that hate us, our enemies...from here Paul went to spread the gospels. From this port the Word and the story of Jesus left Israel and went out to the world. We sat in the oldest theatre in Israel. We walked along the beach of the Mediterranean Sea finding sea shells and searching for remnants of the past. We posed for last day photos and tried to soak in the views.

Old Jaffa for supper. It was another amazing spread of food this time with some kabobs. Best falafel I have ever eaten. And y’all, I have eaten a lot of falafel this week.

We are at the airport now awaiting our long flight home. This time, this airport we sit as friends, not as the acquaintances we were 10 very long days ago. We shared tonight at the dinner table some of our favorite moments of the week, our highlight reel. It’s a semi-romantic end to a trip of a lifetime. See you all at church this Sunday. If you see us in the halls ask us about the trip. If you are on the fence the next time the opportunity comes up, talk to us. I took an informal survey of the group and the overwhelming consensus was yes, take the trip.