It’s hard to imagine it’s been three months since my trip. So much has taken place since then. What seems to have been so near, now seems so far away. As I revisit my photographical journey, I seem to have more questions, thoughts, joys and some regrets. Regrets in only that I could have done more, asked more or said more. Ever have that feeling?

Again, much thanks and love to friend, Nir and his family. Without their contribution and generosity none of this would have happened.

As I arrived in Israel, I new I was not in Kansas. I gathered my luggage and before I could walk through the exit, a plain clothed man approached me and said something in hebrew… (Oh if only I had taken hebrew in college and not ancient greek)

He soon realized, I guess by the dumbfound look on my face and my response of, “what?” that english was my primary language. He then asked what I had in my luggage create, where I was traveling from and a few other things… of which I was still trying to think of all the gifts I had brought from Africa… “Gifts, dolls, baskets, headlamp, water bottles… I was going down the list trying to be as detailed as possible, until he said, “OK GO!” I think he must have thought, “This guys to stupid to be a threat.”

As I exited into the arrival terminal, I was eagerly looking for a face that I had only seen via the internet. Do you every remember the first time you met someone and saw them for the first time?

This is the view from my friend Nir… I can only wonder what he was thinking as he fired away with his camera. What a joy it was to see a familiar face.

As we made our way out of the airport in the early morning, I knew the journey of a lifetime was taking place… and I knew I needed coffee.

We drove north to Galilee talking about my time in Africa and the discussing the detailed itinerary Nir had worked so hard on. Nir was very thoughtful about making sure I got to see everything I wanted to see. The truth is… Had I only had a short layover and had coffee with my friend, I would have had everything I needed. SO, everything else was a bonus.

As we drove north, we saw the sign for Megiddo, known to Christians as Armageddon. Why not. How many times in ones life do they get to visit the final battle ground between good and evil. Although I have a bit of a different take on the writing of the apostle John than most premillinialist, I still thought it would be nice to see.

Ruins of Megiddo

View facing Nazareth. City on left side hilltop

a tunnel that led to water, which kept Megiddo strong while under siege.”

reconstructed map room of Megiddo

In all a very impressive location. What really struck me was the beauty of the surrounding area. I didn’t think of war or battles, I thought of peace.

As we made our way further north we drove to Nazareth.

I kept thinking of the story of Philip and Nathanael, John 1:43-50

Philip went and found Nathanael and told him, “We’ve found the One Moses wrote of in the Law, the One preached by the prophets. It’s Jesus, Joseph’s son, the one from Nazareth!” Nathanael said, “Nazareth? You’ve got to be kidding.”

- the Message

I’ve always wondered about that verse. Can anything good come out of Nazareth? Nazareth? You’ve got to be kidding. The funny thing is, the first thing I really saw was a KFC. You’ve got to be kidding. The stomping grounds of Jesus’ youth… KFC. Not only KFC but a Toys ‘R’ Us. It was getting worse as we drove further into the city.

But the faithful guide that I had, led me not to fast food chains or Junk ’4′ Them, rather, he took me to the ruins of “Mary’s” home which has a church built around it.

“Basilica of the Annunciation”

WOW! my first old “church” building. Now, as a “restoration” kid, one who has tried to eliminate 2000 years of human intervention and legal tradition of Christendom, a church building is just a building. The people make it holy. As I took in the sites and firing away with my camera…

“mosaic image at the Basilica of the Annunciation church”

a man approached us, speaking quickly and in a angry tone and of course, not in english. Nir approached him and listened. Returning to me, Nir’s first words were, “OK, this man was very rude, and…” Great! My first interaction with a church person and he’s rude. We were told we could not bring in our “big” cameras and if we wanted to take pictures we could only use small point and shoot’s. What the? He didn’t even ask our names, he didn’t say welcome or praise the Lord you are h

ere. He assumed, demanded and was rude. None of which I find in the “fruit of the Spirit.” Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Faithfulness and Self Control. What really hurt was this, my friend Nir respects my faith, but it is not his belief. He’s taken time away from his family to show me some “holy” sites and this is the message the church gives to strangers. I was ashamed.

Now this is why this story comes in so many parts. I’ve struggled with questions of how we in the US, treat people who step on our holy ground. Not just in our building, but in our lives. Have they been close to the presence of the Messiah, the one who lives in you, only to be shut down or shut up? My feeling is that we have been guilty of the same assumptions in the church. Not church buildings but the church people… the body, the community of believers. Where is our repenting? Where is our memory of salvation and grace in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us?

As we entered into the “church building” it seemed that mass was taking place. Knowing what I do know, I’m surprised they even let us in during communion. This is what I saw:

silent angel

Mass behind closed gates

an elegant building with empty pews

a small window to heaven

I’m not sure if you are thinking the same thoughts that are running though my head. But it was not anything like the Jesus I had read about or the church that I’ve read about.

people on the outside not sure if they could come in. I guess that’s why Jesus went out to the mountainside… to find people.

Of course you may note, we did use our cameras inside when no one was looking. My apologizes to the owner.

As we left, I realized I want to be less critical and more loving. Love God, Love your neighbor.

I want to stop making it hard for people to meet Jesus.

bars above the gate to the church

Peace.
johno~