Quiram, Jericho, Jerusalem

It was quite interesting to see the caves in which the Essenes, and perhaps John the Baptist, lived and secreted the Dead Sea Scrolls. It was also easy to see how John the Baptist would conduct his ministry within viewing distance of those caves.

From Quiram, we went on to another tourist shopping place in Jericho, where we saw the old Jericho Tel, Mount Nebo to the east, and the bleak Mount of Temptation to the west--in the driving wind and rain.

We rapidly descended the hill "Yep, another ancient wall. Let's get out of this messy weather" to another $20 group lunch that is become less and less palatable. I'm done. I'm doing my tuna fish from home w/ breakfast bread and oranges. We did ride a camel around in a little ring. It was something akin to the tumultous Sea of Galilee, but on dry land.

Then, finally, back to Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives. I'm here to tell you, the minute we left Jericho, the sun came blazing forth. The minute we hit the Mount of Olives to begin our "Palm Sunday" walk, the heavens opened up in, according to Jerusalemites, blessed rain. Truth was, it was blessed strong winds and sleet. My raincoat is still sopping wet. I didn't have a dry stitch of clothing on me as I slithered and slid down the steep descent from the Mount of Olives--now seriously, it's a breathtaking sight. Standing atop of that hill, looking across the Kidron Valley (which is truly steep but not so very wide) onto the Old City, I beheld the Dome of the Rock and all of the Old City. I got my mind right thinking about what Jesus might have beheld standing there....but He wasn't standing there in gale-force winds!

We literally held on to each other and the walls as we tried to make our way from the top of the hill to the bottom where we entered the gate leading into the tiny Garden of Gethsemane. Nestled within the walls of the Garden Church , we saw a beautifully manicured garden--which was gated closed--before rushing to the sanctuary of the church--sanctuary. There in the church is the traditional rock on which Jesus prayed in agony to be spared that which He was sent to finally do. I confess, that moment was my tearful moment for the day. Why, why would God, would Jesus, love us so much to humble Himself enough to come in human form, to preach to mostly deaf ears, to die a humiating death...just for me, for you?

When we emerged from the Garden of Gethsemane church, the rain/sleet had finally ended, and we bussed to the Upper Room/Tomb of David. That was a wonderful little enclave where we had our own little service and sang hymns and we felt completely private--even though there were several groups in that small space.

Once at the hotel, I raced to my room to grab hot water in my TUB!!!! I thought I might have drowned from sheer bliss.

Tomorrow--the Old City and Wailing Wall.

My thought for today is the title of an old Kris Kristopherson song: "Why Me Lord?" what have I ever done to deserve even one of the treasures I own?

Love to you all! Shalom!