Thoughts On [insert religious topic(s) here]

Though I’m writing this at 1 AM, I’m finally getting these blogs written at the end of the day that it pertains to. This should allow me to better portray the experience since I haven’t had a night of sleep to forget it.

It has been a pattern that every morning we get a wake-up call at 6:45 AM, get breakfast at 7 AM and board the bus by 8 AM. This morning was no different. At breakfast, I talked with a few of the older ladies about getting up to watch the sunrise tomorrow morning at 6:30 over the shores of the Sea of Galilee. (Perhaps I’ll just stay up and wait for that to happen J) Just kidding…

***A quick side-note: I’m the youngest person on this trip by 25 years, and younger than most by 40 to 50 years. This is a trip comprised of older ladies and a few husbands who wanted to see the Holy Land. I’m along on the journey primarily to enjoy the experience like everyone else, but also to lead through song and prayer as I discern my call to ministry. Therefore, I’m getting opportunities to interact with people that I normally would never interact with outside of the church.***

Today I was given a few opportunities to lead. All of them were memories that will stay with me as I continue to discern my call to ministry. The first site we went to visit was the city of Cana (in Hebrew, Kafr Kana). This is the city where-according to the Gospel of John-Jesus performed his first miracle, turning water into wine at a wedding ceremony. To appreciate this, we held a rededication of wedding vows service in Cana. The service gave three couples on the trip the chance to renew their vows to each other. It was a moving ceremony, both sad for those who had lost spouses, and joyous for those who were renewing their vows of marriage to their spouse.

I had the opportunity to lead the group in a responsive reading at the end of the service as well as a prayer. The prayer was difficult for me because I don’t understand the depth of a marriage and the feelings associated with such commitment. Therefore, I found myself initially having a hard time to come up with words to describe the situation and offer some words of closure. One of the neat things that I can feel happening as I mature as a leader is that my anxiety of these situations has begun to lessen. I was able to find the words needed for that moment and focus on where the service had gone and where it needed to go to close.

The Journey to Jerusalem group at the church of Cana (photo by Mike Bedwell). See what I mean about being the youngest by a few years?

Our next site to see was Tel Megiddo, the ancient city located in the valley of Yizra El. On the way there our guide Ruthie took us by an ancient tomb that, while it wasn’t the one Jesus was buried in, most closely resembled the one he was buried in. I’ll let the picture speak for itself. A bit of perspective though: This site was located right on the shoulder of a busy highway, It was a little odd, but that is one of the neat thing about Israel, the ancient sits right next to the modern in a blend of three religions.

An ancient tomb, similar to the supposed burial tomb of Jesus. Notice the road in the very bottom of the frame. It was THAT close to the road.

Before describing Tel Megiddo I’ll explain what a tel is. When conquerors would over take a city in ancient times, they would build a new city right on top of the old one. As different powers would take over certain cities, the cities would become more elevated as more and more cities were being built on top of each other. In the case of Megiddo, it has been conquered and rebuilt at least 25 times. Archaeologists discovered this by slicing into the tel of Megiddo much like one slices into a cake. They could see all the layers starting in 2500 BCE as a Canaanite settlement and ending with the conquest of the Assyrians who destroyed the city for the final time in approximately 768 BCE.

The proper way to tour a tel is to climb to the top and walk around the final layer of ruins. We did this at Megiddo, climbing up about 100 feet and exploring the ruins of King Ahab’s kingdom. Because scientists took a “slice” out of the tel, we could also see older excavations such as an ancient circular altar about 50 feet down into the tel.

Notice the large mass of rocks just about the middle of the frame. This is an ancient circular altar dating before the Israelite monarchs.

The most impressive feature at Megiddo is a water system that King Ahab had built in the 10^th century BCE. It was an underground tunnel that connected the city with a water source farther away which allowed the kingdom to survive a siege while still having access to fresh water. We went down into these tunnels about 200 feet down and walked through them.

The tunnel entrance located on the tel. Look in the bottom left the the entrance to the deeper part of the tunnel.

This tunnel was used by King Ahaz to transport water into the city of Megiddo

When we got out of the tunnel and back at the base of the tel, we headed for lunch. Don’t ask me why, but somehow we ended up at McDonalds. They had one odd menu item, a kabob, which is two patties in a pita with all the toppings of a regular burger. It was actually pretty good (though a bit pricey).

Our final stop of the day was at the Jordan River to re-confirm our baptisms in the river. I say “re-confirm” because the Methodist church believes that once you are baptized, you never need to be baptized again, that event-and the liturgy of it-is a one-time thing. We went to a spot on the Jordan right to the south of the Sea of Galilee. Historically, this isn’t where Jesus was baptized but we can’t go to that spot-a few miles north of the Dead Sea-because it is a conflict zone for the Palestinians and Israelis.

At the location we went to, Ruthie knew someone who got us a spot for all of jus to sit right by the river. We were given white robes and towels, and then went to the river. Jac’line talked for 15 minutes about Jesus’ experience being baptized by John the Baptist (JBap for all my religion major friends). Then Richard led everyone in the liturgy for the re-confirmation of baptism. When he finished, he asked if I would like to be in the water with himself and Jac’line, helping to immerse people in the water. Before this summer I would have shied away from the opportunity because I have always felt that I’m too young and unproven to do liturgical acts. This time though I took the opportunity and I’m still amazed at the experience. I got to see the faces of people that have watched me grow up as they emerged from the waters of the Jordan. Some were overwhelmed and began crying, others were so excited and happy for having this experience.

That evening when we got back to the hotel I looked over pictures of the baptisms with Jim Miller and Mike Bedwell. Seeing the entire thing over again made me realize just how awesome of a moment it was. When I saw myself in the water, I realized that I was completely comfortable in that moment. I’m growing up, maturing, and seizing opportunities that will stay with me for my entire life.

Jac'line, Jeremy, myself, and Richard

Photos by Mike Bedwell

This was a really long post and I apologize. Today was a jam-packed day though. I can’t believe I have over 20 days left here.

Look for postcards soon.

Shalom,

Mat

PS: Here is a picture of me at Tel Megiddo with the lens belt on. You are the judge but I personally think it isn’t too unsightly.