Day 4 of the Holy Land Trip

We departed our kibbutz and drove to Cana of Galilee, where Jesus performed his first miracle – The area was very closed in with buildings and people. The bible does not “leave an address” and so most people depend upon tradition to help place the locations. One of the important aspects of the changing the water into wine is the human relationships. For a family or couple to run out of wine during the wedding celebration would start a rumor about that the hosts were poor or cheap. Not a good thing. Now I think about the statement that not only there was more wine it was the best wine of the celebration. What a turn around of events for both the host and the newly wedded couple.

We continued to Nazareth to visit the Church of the Annunciation. Again the bible did not leave a precise address and so we call upon tradition. What was an interesting fact is that within walking distance was a well respected learning center of Jesus’ time. As most of us know, about twenty seven years of Jesus’ life we don’t have any records of what took place, perhaps this was when Jesus received his formal education. In today Rabbi meant religious leader where during Jesus time Rabbi was teacher in the stricter sense of the word. We, the group, were told that the readings from the Torah were assigned readings much like a lectionary (more on that later). Joseph's Workshop was actually quite large. Carpenter was also stoneworker and general contractor.

The place was very crowed with people both visitors and residents. The place itself is very hilly. It is really green and full of life. It reminds me of San Francisco. The streets themselves are narrow and full shops. We talked about the distances people traveled in those days. When Mary traveled to Jerusalem to be registered it would take a person about three to four months. Now a person would also visit with family and friends along the way. When Herod became paranoid in his old age it made sense for Mary to head to Egypt for safety and to return to Jesus place of birth might have been a bit risky. Going to Nazareth made sense at so many different levels.

The trip into Jerusalem was as study in contrast. As we left the area we drove down below sea level about 1400 feet. As we drove down the surrounding area became increasingly desolate. When we drove by Jericho (which was out to our right in the distance) we could clearly see that we were in an area that did not support much life. The Jordon was to our left but there was not much in the way of plants or trees. A person would be hard pressed to find water or food in this part of the world. This was the area in which it was believed that Jesus was sent to be tempted and also this was the area that was believed that Moses saw the promise land and turned back.

The drive into Jerusalem was like driving straight up a cliff, within 15 miles we climbed over 1400 feet in dry ground. I am still trying to get my mind around how difficult or different traveling on foot would have been. We arrived in an air-conditioned bus and it took us about an hour to cover the distance. Where people of Jesus’ time walked and had to plan out their trip for a longer time period.

I could go on, but I am going to wrap it up now. Today is Saturday and which we will “run” where Jesus walked. Talk to you soon.