Greetings from Israel!
Today we again began our day in the classroom. We continued our class focused on teaching techniques, especially the effective use of questions in teaching God’s Word. Pastor Zelt (the professor for our course and group leader) is a talented teacher and is doing his utmost to impart his wisdom to us.
Much of our day today was spent in Bethlehem. This meant we got to see the the oldest continuously standing church on earth: the church of the Nativity. This building stands over the cave system where our Lord is said to have been born. It also contains the cave in which St. Jerome in the middle fourth century translated the Bible from Hebrew and Greek into Latin. This building holds three separate sanctuaries one Roman Catholic, one Greek Orthodox, and one Armenian Orthodox.
In Bethlehem we were also grateful to get to see Christmas Lutheran Church. Yes, there is a Lutheran Church in Bethlehem. We even examined their Arabic hymnals with German Lutheran hymns! For the mustangs out there, the music is actually printed from back to front to match the words – how hard would that be to learn! Pastor Matheny was also blessed to read the Gospel account from Luke 2 to the group from the pulpit.
Since Bethlehem is located in the West Bank, our guide for today was Palestinian. Ramsey is a Palestinian Christian and was willing to share with us what it is like living as a Christian in Israel. He explained to us that Christians in Israel are caught between a rock and a hard place. The Jews have the Israeli government looking out for them, and the Muslims have the Palestinian authority looking out for them but the Christians are left powerless. Pray for our brothers and sisters in Israel and the Palestinian Territories!
We began our day at Herodium, one of the many impressive palaces built by King Herod the Great in the decades preceding Jesus birth. This is a grand structure (even in its present dilapidated state) complete with full Roman baths, a private theatre, and its own parade ground. Herod even took the top off of a nearby hill in order to seat his fortress on the highest peak in the area.
What is interesting is that from the top of the Herodian one can easily see Bethlehem. From the palace of a regal Roman king you can gaze upon the birthplace of the king born into filth. From the summer house of one of Israel’s most powerful rulers you can see the town where the king that reigned in weakness was born. From the riches of the ruler you see the poverty of the servant. But with all that in mind on fact stands above all others: King Herod is dead and we have his tomb, but Jesus lives and His grave is empty!
Christ is risen!
Pastor Matheny and Matt Brand
Mural entering Bethlehem after West Bank checkpoint
Christmas Lutheran Church, Bethlehem
Arabic Lutheran Hymnal
St. Jerome