Bethlehem and Jerusalem

Sunlight shinning down on Jesus' empty tomb at the Church

of the Holy Sepulcher

After breakfast, we took a bus to the Church of the Nativity, which is built over the site traditionally held as Jesus’ birthplace. It was amazing to see people from all over the world that traveled so far to catch a glimpse of this sacred space.  Next we traveled to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which houses both Golgotha (crucifixion site) and the now empty tomb Jesus once laid in.  I expected visitors would be moving through the church in quite reverence, contemplating how the events that transpired here had so profoundly affected their lives; this was not the case.  The church was crowed, hot, and filled with people jostling each other to reach the narrow entrances to the historic and sacred sites. Initially, our group was consistently bypassed and pushed aside by others due to our hesitation in joining the fray.  However, after about 20 minutes of being stuck in the same place, most of us rolled up our sleeves, jumped in, and pushed our way to the sites while a few decided with wasn’t worth it and waited outside. During a discussion, later that day, one of my classmates likened our experiences in the church, to life.  Frustrated by seeing others get ahead of us, we sometime succumb to the pressures of the world and behave in less than honorable ways in order to keep up with everyone else.  A counter point to this is Jesus. His refusal to deviate from his beliefs and ideals resulted in ridicule, suffering, and eventually death.  However, his choices were eventually vindicated by both the resurrection and the miraculous birth and continuation of a Church that, at its best, helps inspire and move the world towards wholeness.

Inscription at Golgotha; crucifixion site

Guess American football is big in Jerusalem

On rooftop with Nazareth in the background

Everyone has to eat

Bell tower at the Church of the Nativity

Pilgrims waiting to enter site of Jesus' birth

Scarred guard tower at wall separating the 

West Bank and Israel

Near namesakes of so many churches

Final Day of Digging

Pottery shards from the time of Abraham.

After living on an Israeli kibbutz for two weeks, we traveled south to begin a two and a half day visit of holy sites in Bethlehem and Jerusalem and also meet with individuals working to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  Once in Jerusalem, we picked up an Israeli tour guide who helped us navigate our way to the Western Wall (remains of the Israelite Temple that was destroyed by the Romans in 70 C.E.). Once there, we were able to write and leave prayers in the wall as part of the weekly Jewish Shabbat worship service.  Afterwards, we headed to Bethlehem for the night. Fortunately, there was room at the inn. 

Sleep quarters for a couple participating in the dig.

Carved rock that anchored doorpost of a temple or other 

important facility.

Me posing with Dr. Philippe Guillaume after our final dig.  

We quickly became jacks of all trades; digging trenches, 

clearing caves, and doing whatever else needed to be done.

Camel resting next to the gas station we 

stopped at on our way to Jerusalem  

Jezreel Valley slightly before sunrise. The sight we saw as we set up our worksites each morning. 

Members of the 2015 Jezreel Expedition, near the Spring of Jezreel 

Nazareth and Galilee

Taking a break in front of the Sea of Galilee

We stopped digging early, twice in the past week, so the group could spend the afternoon traveling to significant biblical and/or archeological sites in northern Israel.  First we visited Nazareth, home to the largest Arab population in Israel.  Most of the city residents are Christian but Nazareth is also home to a small but vibrant Muslim community. The focal point of our visit was the Church/ Basilica of the Annunciation, believed to be the site where the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would conceive and become the mother of Jesus.  Beneath the church is a small grotto that contains what many Christians believe is remains of Mary’s childhood home.  While there, we attended a portion of the mass/worship service, which was conducted entirely in Arabic.

Later in the week we journeyed to Galilee, to retrace some of Jesus’ steps as recorded in the Gospels.  On the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, we visited Tabgha, the traditionally accepted site where Jesus fed 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish (Matthew 14:13-21).  In Tabgha, we stopped by the Church of the Multiplication, which was built over an ancient mosaic of the fish and loaves next to a large rock.   A combination of location and local tradition has led biblical scholars to believe that Jesus stood on or near this rock while blessing the fish and loaves prior to the miraculous multiplication.  Leaving the church, we passed the Mount of Beatitudes where it is believed Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount.  The natural amphitheater formed by the hills sloping to sea help give life to the image of Jesus speaking to and teaching the multitudes.  Finally, we stopped at a local beach and waded and/or swam in the Sea of Galilee. A few tried walking on the water but it didn't go so well. While many of the other sites we visited where in approximate and sometimes disputed locations, there is widespread agreement that this is the same body of water where Jesus and his followers fished, taught, and retreated to for solace.

We're getting close to the end of our Archeology adventure. Before we return to the U.S., we'll spend a few days touring the Jerusalem area and immersing ourselves in the local culture. 

Stone in the Church of the Multiplication, marked with a fish and loaves mosaic by the early Christians to commemorate Jesus' feeding of the multitudes.

Christ Icon at the Church of the Multiplication    

Coming ashore after a stroll in the Sea of Galilee

Panoramic view from the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee.

Modern shepherd, wearing hoodie and backpack, leading his flock across a bridge.