Heading inland

Trip Start Apr 26, 2009
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Trip End Sep 01, 2009


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Flag of Israel  ,
Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Armageddon: I guess I hadn't realized that Armageddon referred (at least possibly) to a real place. This strategic junction of two of the most important trade routes had to be protected by whomever ruled at the moment, and Megiddo was the city built for that purpose. Over time, some 25 different cities were built, one on top of the next, forming a rather high tel (mound of old cities). From this point overlooking the Jezreel valley, one can see all kinds of Biblically significant places. While this is unlikely the place referred to in Revelation, it gives a great understanding of life during the reign of the Kings of Israel. You can see layers of cities as different kings and empires sought control of the area.
 
The most amazing scene of the day, however, was being at the top of Mt. Carmel. This is where Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18. To hear the story while standing on that mountain is amazing. I had one of those moments there that everyone who visits the Holy Land talks about where the power and holiness of this land just hit. I found myself standing for a few minutes with almost no one else around (there had been probably 100 people up there moments before) giving God thanks.
 
Finally, we arrived in Nazareth. Nazareth is now a city of some 80,000 people. It's an Arab city with about 70% muslim and 15% or so Christian residents. A beautiful Roman Catholic basilica sits atop ancient Nazareth in one of the lowest parts of this hilly city. In the lower basilica there is a grotto that is apparently pretty-reliably said to be Mary's home. There are also ruins right there of a Byzantine church, an early house church and a Jewish ritual bath. The Franciscans have built this church right on top of the ancient city and are now-after centuries of doing this the wrong way-trying carefully to excavate and preserve what is still there. Standing mere feet from Mary's home, from where Jesus grew up filled me with awe and wonder. Jesus' family was a faithful, pious group. He grew up loving the law, loving his nation.
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