Day 8 : Zion Gate

Day 8 : The Shepherd's Field

Luke 2

The Shepherds and Angels

8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in highest heaven,
    and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

The Shepherd's Field was not what I had imagined it to be. I was looking out for sheep dotting the rolling hills with shepherd's tending to them but that was not to be. What I saw was a land dotted with houses and buildings. Time has changed the landscape of the Shepherd's Field.

On second thoughts, do I really expect "the fields where the shepherds lay" would still be there after 2,000 years? Before coming here and seeing this possibly the very land that the shepherd's back then 2,000 years ago were lying, I realised how little I actually put thought to what I read in the Bible.

Special notes added on 6 July 2014.

Today Ps Chew shared a very simple yet a very significant message in our Morning Worship Service in SIB KL. 

He titled his message : Seeing Jesus In The Ordinary.  (Click on Title for link to Ps Chew's sermon)

The Scripture Text was : Luke 2: 22-40

The Summary to his sermon was :

Jesus Presented in the Temple

22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”, 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
    you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31     which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
    and the glory of your people Israel.”

33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him.34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.[e] She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.

Day 8 : Bethleham

Today we took a trip out of Jerusalem to Bethleham to visit the Birthplace of Jesus. It was an exciting journey as we were entering into the Palestinian quarters. Although I felt a bit of fear but because we were on a pilgrimage, the fear quickly turned to anticipation as we crossed the border check point.

These are photos of the borders

After a very quick and problem free custom check, we were on our way to the Church of the Nativity.

A humble entrance to the Church. 

Do you know why the Church entrance is so low?

We had to look down to pass through the entrance but when we lifted our heads, 

"WOW!!!" was on everyone's lips.

This is the spot where Jesus' manger was at 2,000 years ago

This building was built with "Bethleham stone" or limestone.

Only the rich could afford to build their house with limestone

My fellow lady pilgrims with the Tour Guide

Listen to the explanation about the Church of Nativity by the local Tour Guide

Day 8 : Ps Chris Choo's sharing on Abraham

This post contains the recording of Ps Chris Choo's morning devotion on what we can learn from the life of Abraham.

Genesis 22

Abraham Tested

22 Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!”

“Here I am,” he replied.
2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offeringon a mountain I will show you.”
3 Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.”
6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, 7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?”
“Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.
“The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”
8 Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.
9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of theLord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”
“Here I am,” he replied.
12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”
13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram[a] caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place The LordWill Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”
15 The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time16 and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring[b] all nations on earth will be blessed,[c] because you have obeyed me.”
19 Then Abraham returned to his servants, and they set off together for Beersheba. And Abraham stayed in Beersheba.

During this sharing, Ps Chris taught us 3 Hebrew words : 

Hai na ni meaning Here I am (in a kneeling posture)

Ahava meaning Agape Love

Shabat meaning Worship

Part 1

Part 2

He concluded his sharing by asking us to remember an english word : FAT
Faithful
Available
Teachable

Day 7 : The Church of St' Anne in Bethesda

This Church is a must visit place for any aspiring singers. The acoustics here is so good it makes a frog's croaking sound angelic. I am very serious and if you don't believe me, listen to the SIB Pilgrims Choir below.

Day 7 : Pool of Bethesda

John 5: 1-18 (NIV)

The Healing at the Pool

Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda[a] and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. 3 Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. [4] [b] 5 One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”

7 “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”
8 Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” 9 At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.
The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, 10 and so the Jewish leaders said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat.”
11 But he replied, “The man who made me well said to me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’ ”
12 So they asked him, “Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?”
13 The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there.
14 Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.”15 The man went away and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had made him well.

The Authority of the Son

16 So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute him. 17 In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” 18 For this reason they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

In these 2 videos, the guide explained about the meaning of some Names in the Bible

Day 6 : Zippori or Sepphoris

Matthew 5 : 14
 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 

On the 6th day, we checked out of Tiberias to head for the most anticipated city of our Pilgrimage - JERUSALEM. 

Along the way, we visited some nearby towns around the Tiberias area and the first town is situated on a hill top called Zippori or Sepphoris in English.

This town is not recorded in the Bible but it has a rich history and played a very important role during the early Christian era. 

During our drive there, our Tour guide Eli gave us an introduction to this town of Zippori.

In this recording, we get a little understanding of the Laws that govern the Israeli people 

In this video, we will learn more about different people living in Israel today.

Day 6 : Emmaus

Luke 24: 13-35

On the Road to Emmaus

13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them;16 but they were kept from recognizing him.

17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”

They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

19 “What things?” he asked.

“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet,powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive.24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”

25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.

30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

This is Ps Chew's sharing on Emmaus

Day 5 : Saling on the Faith Boat on the Sea of Galilee

This video is on Ps Chew's sharing on the Faith Boat

This video is our worship time on the boat led by the boat operator, Daniel Carmel

Day 5 : Capernaum

I am glad that I came for this pilgrimage. Now I know exactly where Jesus lived when He was going around for the 3 years of ministry to the people. The reality of the Humanity of Christ is more real to me now as I come to the realization that He actually needed a roof over His head like all of us do.

If you would like to hear what Ps Chew said about this place then listen to this video compilation.

Although Capernaum is mainly about Apostle Peter's House, the surrounding area is very calm and scenic.

Day 4 : Nazareth Biblical Village

I was looking forward to arrive at this place because it was lunch time and we were told that we will be served a Biblical Passover meal. When we arrived, I was pleasantly surprised to be greeted by people who were dressed in Jesus' day.

After lunch we were taken on a very informative tour of the Village, starting with the mini museum showcasing the time into which Jesus was born.

After the morbid details of the execution process during the times of Jesus, we were led to the outdoors for some fresh air (literally). It was so nice to see wild flowers growing the the ground and plants were blooming with different coloured flowers.

As we were all happily soaking in the beautiful surrounding, we were told to stop to look at a hole in the ground. Listen to the audio if you want to learn more about the Jewish Tomb.

I wonder if you will still love your glass of wine after you find out how the wine was made?

For those of you who love a healthy diet of salad and pasta, you need to learn how the most important oil is made. This video gives you an idea of how OLIVE OIL is produced - The Traditional way.

Want to know more about Jesus' job?

Our final excursion was to a model Synagogue. I found out that the Synagogue is a meeting place like our Community Hall and not a place of worship as I always thought it is.

Oh! Look what we found on the Donors' Plaque Corner. Some generous person / s had donated on behalf of SIB PJ. Our Pastors' are so happy and proud.

Day 4: Naim and Shunem in Nazareth

Mark 6: 1-6 (NIV)

A Prophet Without Honor

Driving into Nazareth

"Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.

“Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing?  

Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.”  

He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith."

Modern houses in Nazareth

Nazareth Town from afar

In all my years as a Christian, I have never stopped to ask this important question, "Why the people in Jesus' hometown could not accept Him as their Messiah?" Is it because, familiarity breathes contempt? 

Listen to our Tour Guide Eli's explanation. He asked, "How can they accept a person who grew up playing soccer with them as their Messiah?" 

I wonder ...

One of the "few miracles" Jesus did in His own hometown was the raising of a widow's son in Naim. 

Luke 7 : 11-17

Jesus Raises a Widow’s Son

11 Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. 12 As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.”

14 Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” 15 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.

16 They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophethas appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” 17 This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.

There is another similar event that happened in the Old Testament. 

Elisha raised a Shunnamite widow's son.

2 Kings 4: 8-37 

The Shunammite’s Son Restored to Life

8 One day Elisha went to Shunem. And a well-to-do woman was there, who urged him to stay for a meal. So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat. 9 She said to her husband, “I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. 10 Let’s make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us.”

11 One day when Elisha came, he went up to his room and lay down there. 12 He said to his servant Gehazi, “Call the Shunammite.” So he called her, and she stood before him.13 Elisha said to him, “Tell her, ‘You have gone to all this trouble for us. Now what can be done for you? Can we speak on your behalf to the king or the commander of the army?’”

She replied, “I have a home among my own people.”

14 “What can be done for her?” Elisha asked.

Gehazi said, “She has no son, and her husband is old.”

15 Then Elisha said, “Call her.” So he called her, and she stood in the doorway. 16 “About this time next year,” Elisha said, “you will hold a son in your arms.”

“No, my lord!” she objected. “Please, man of God, don’t mislead your servant!”

17 But the woman became pregnant, and the next year about that same time she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her.

18 The child grew, and one day he went out to his father, who was with the reapers. 19 He said to his father, “My head! My head!”

His father told a servant, “Carry him to his mother.” 20 After the servant had lifted him up and carried him to his mother, the boy sat on her lap until noon, and then he died. 21 She went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, then shut the door and went out.

22 She called her husband and said, “Please send me one of the servants and a donkey so I can go to the man of God quickly and return.”

23 “Why go to him today?” he asked. “It’s not the New Moon or the Sabbath.”

“That’s all right,” she said.

24 She saddled the donkey and said to her servant, “Lead on; don’t slow down for me unless I tell you.” 25 So she set out and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel.

When he saw her in the distance, the man of God said to his servant Gehazi, “Look! There’s the Shunammite! 26 Run to meet her and ask her, ‘Are you all right? Is your husband all right? Is your child all right?’”

“Everything is all right,” she said.

27 When she reached the man of God at the mountain, she took hold of his feet. Gehazi came over to push her away, but the man of God said, “Leave her alone! She is in bitter distress, but theLord has hidden it from me and has not told me why.”

28 “Did I ask you for a son, my lord?” she said. “Didn’t I tell you, ‘Don’t raise my hopes’?”

29 Elisha said to Gehazi, “Tuck your cloak into your belt, take my staff in your hand and run. Don’t greet anyone you meet, and if anyone greets you, do not answer. Lay my staff on the boy’s face.”

30 But the child’s mother said, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So he got up and followed her.

31 Gehazi went on ahead and laid the staff on the boy’s face, but there was no sound or response. So Gehazi went back to meet Elisha and told him, “The boy has not awakened.”

32 When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his couch. 33 He went in, shut the door on the two of them and prayed to the Lord. 34 Then he got on the bed and lay on the boy, mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, hands to hands. As he stretchedhimself out on him, the boy’s body grew warm. 35 Elisha turned away and walked back and forth in the room and then got on the bed and stretched out on him once more. The boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes.

36 Elisha summoned Gehazi and said, “Call the Shunammite.” And he did. When she came, he said, “Take your son.” 37 She came in, fell at his feet and bowed to the ground. Then she took her son and went out.

In order to find the Shunnamite widow's location, the bus driver actually lost his way and we were driven round and round this small village. When he finally found the place, we were not allowed to go down to visit the site as it was near a muslim cemetery. 

While there are some Churches here and there in Nazareth, most of the residents there are now are muslims. We were encouraged by our Pastors and the Tour Guide to buy some souvenirs to support the small Christian Community still living in Nazareth.

Selling Souvenirs

Streets of Nazareth

A familiar sign - YMCA

Enjoying a cup of freshly squeezed Pomegranate juice