Saturday, Dec 6

Today we started with a drive from Tiberias to Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus. We drove past the church of the Annunciation but did not stop. Nazereth has a heavy Arabic Muslim population and the whole senxe of the city is different than the Galilee area. While there are some nice places, the trash and junk strew about the city we noticeable and depressing.

Nazareth Village – We stopped at a site called Nazereth Village. This is sort of a “living museum” along the lines of the Henry Ford Museum. It is land owned by the Scottish Hospital given to whoever runs this Village. We walked through an olive garden, wheat field, vineyard and watchtower constructed to be like a small town look and behave in 1st century Israel. People in costume were picking the grapes, working in the workshop, spinning yarn and pressing olives. We were led by woman who said she was a woman pastor. My ultra perceptive senses told me it was not LCMS. :) She did do a very good job of showing the village. We went into the synagog again constructed to look the way it would have in the day of Jesus. The olive press was interesting because I didn’t know anything about getting the oil out of the fruit. The berries are crushed seeds and all, they go through 3 pressings. 1st press oil was used for anointing and for the synagog lamps, the second was for cooking and the 3rd was for lotions and home lamps. We read from Luke 5 where Jesus read from IS, ultimately saying the prophecy was fulfilled in himself. Then he gave examples of the widow of Zarephat and Naaman showing that the Kingdom of God was intended for all. This lead to the reaction of people wanting to throw Jesus off a cliff. Which in Nazereth is not hard to find, it is a town on the brow of many cliffs. One spot in particular I want to add in the blog, Just a panoramic view atop of the hill of Nazerth.

After lunch we went atop Mt. Tabor, the assumed mountain of transfiguration. There is a large Catholic church compound on its summit, but probably this is not the spot of the transfiguration since it was only 6 days after the confession of Peter in Ceasaria Phillipi, (MT 16 – 17) which would be possible but quite a hike. Mt Tabor however is a high mountain, its named Tabor because that is the word for navel and the mountain has a depression bowl at its top. As Jesus showed forth God’s glory we were identified as the tabernacle of God and asked where we need to have our minds made new (Ro 12) our transformation. And have God’s kingdom come

After this we drove to the Jordan River for Baptism renewal. First of all the Jordan was COLD, and we 5 pastors got to renew the baptisms of the people there. It was a great reminder that we are buried with Christ into his death. RO 6:4, Pastor Jim Richter reminded us of a story of a dead man throw into Elisha’s tomb 2 Kings 13:21 and the man coming to life - we are buried with Christ and we come to life. And of course raised with him in resurrection to walk in the newness of life.
Most of our group was prayed over and went through an immersion . My core temperature is still a little low and I’m trying to warm up. We came back for supper and I’m blogging, Some people are going to Tiberius. Since it’s the end of Shabbat the town will be open. I’ll pack up my stuff as tomorrow we are on the move

I do have to write about tonights meal. Sarah will be especially jealous, in a Christian way I'm sure. There is always salad and its very leafy lettuce and all sorts of additives. The fir thing you do is put olive oil on the bottom of your plate with a little lemon juice. Then the lettuce and any other relishes and salad dishes. While that is interesting it isnt the coolest part.

Then the soup portion came. A bowl was spread with humas (There is humas here all the time). Then some lentil soup was added with whole chick peas, garished with parsely, chili powder, lemon something and you eat with pita bread. Verrrry Yummy.

Tomorrow-

Beit Shean via Jericho bypass road to Qumran, Judean desert (Genesis Land – lunch and camel ride) for teaching and prayer.
End the day at King of King's Assembly at 5 pm worship

For some reason, my pictues cannot be added. Sorry