Final Thoughts

Well we are back in Canada dealing with snow and cold.

This truly was an amazing trip and I am glad we were able to go. Some thoughts that come to mind as I think back are:

1. The presentation our guide gave us on the tabernacle in the wilderness really showed how Jesus was the fulfillment of all that God was doing in the old testament. This site and presentation was one of the highlights of this trip for me.
2.  I really enjoyed the Nazareth village that a group of Christians has set up in Nazareth. It gave a great idea of what life was like back then.
3. It was so amazing to go to some of the places that Jesus walked.  The Sea of Galilee area was one of those areas and to see some of the places where Jesus performed miracles was truly a blessing.
4. It was neat to see people getting baptized in the Jordan River, even though in the end we decided not to do it.
5. One of the highlights was the Garden Tomb and Golgotha. I never realized that Jesus was in all likely hood not crucified on a hill but beside a busy road to allow easy access to those that wanted to torment Him. The Romans were really cruel in the way that they performed crucifixions. David Mainse also pointed out that it was probably mainly the Jewish priests and rabbis and their paid staff that wanted him crucified. Most of the ordinary people did not want it.
6.  I am so glad that Jesus summarized all of the old testament rules and laws to two main commandments, to love God with all your heart, soul, body and mind and to love others. There are so many laws that Jews are supposed to follow that it is virtually impossible to follow them all.  In fact the vast majority are related to the temple and since the temple isn't there they can't be followed. But even those that are left are still almost impossible to keep. Since old testament times they have needed to add even more rules to deal with modern technology.  I just don't understand how it is ok on the Sabbath to ride up one elevator in a building but not the one right beside it.
7. The wailing wall was another highlight as I stood at the wall and felt moved to pray for the Jewish people that they would see the true light of Jesus.
8. It still amazes me that Israel is able to survive with all of the Arab nations around it that are so set on destroying them. We experienced just a bit of what they go through with the Hamas rocket attacks on Southern Israel while we were there.
9. I was really impressed with our hosts David and Norma Jean Mainse and Ron and Ann Mainse. Their passion and love for the Israeli nation is truly a blessing.