We left home bright and early this morning to drive to Ariel where we were meeting with a group from Bethel church. They say it as if it was one word, not two. It means House of God. House is actually Beit in Hebrew, pronounced like Bate, and El is part of Elohim. Anyway, they are a group from Bill Johnson's church in California who are here on a tour. They came for a mini concert by Alyosha. They weren't much into the classical music but they sure came alive when he and Jody did some lively Messianic music together, and then Alyosha played a prophetic piece which means he plays as the Spirit leads him. People get healed physically and emotionally when he plays "in the spirit." It was wonderful.
A few days ago Ruth Faisal was playing her violin with Alyosha and they both were playing as they were led by the Spirit. Totally unrehearsed, the strands of music notes wound around each other with sounds that seemed to come from above. It was extraordinarily beautiful. As I was listening, I had a kind of mini-vision though it was as if I saw it, knew it, and felt it all at the same time. It was of God's delight in Adam. His absolute (and I mean that literally) love for Adam and His delight in him. It gave me an entirely new sense and understanding of God's relationship with Adam, and His care for him. I also sensed that after the Fall, God's love and care diminished not a wink, but God was now intent on watching over him and still loving him. Almost like a mother hen watching over her chicks. No wonder Yeshua said that about Jerusalem.
Which is where we were this afternoon. Walking through Jerusalem and then suddenly coming upon the walls of Old City caused an immediate intake of air as in a kind of gasp. There they were! Seeing the walls brings to me such a feeling of being linked with history - from David to Yeshua. Birds soar over them as if they're celebrating just being there. We met a friend for coffee in a cafe that is somewhat high above the street level across the street from the walls. What a view for having a cup of coffee! We then went to Christ's Church just inside the Jaffa Gate to buy me a new Hebrew-English - Hebrew on one side and NKJV on the facing page, both Old and New Testaments. We stopped for a biali which is sort of a cross between a bagel and a big soft pretzel only it's covered with seseme seeds, not salt. What a treat. We walked through the Old City and through those narrow alley like streets you've seen in picture with all the shops. Shop upon shop with all kinds of treasures.
Alyosha and Jody have friends who are Armenians who are believers who have a shop there. We walked quite a distance past all those shops to get there where I bought some lovely things. They gave me a copy of The Lord's Prayer in Aramaic and showed me how they had it framed and suggested I do the same thing. It as such a delight to meet these brothers in the Lord, despite cultural differences. I love the way Yeshua's own people feel an immediate kinship, even if we don't really know each other. It's His Spirit loving each other through each other, don't y'think?
The photo above is of a model of the Temple as it was in Yeshua's day. It is a huge model, fascinating to just stand there and stare at it and imagine the magnitude and splendor of it. All that is left, of course, is the outer western wall, and none of the Temple itself. Yeshua did say that not a stone would be left on top of another,and aside from the wall, which is not part of the Temple itself, that is the case. It's a lesson that even what we build for God, if there is not obedience and reverence for Him, it could well be as rubble. Only what is truly in Him lasts!
We then met Ruth for lunch in an open area in Jerusalem that is modern and chic, or should I say hip, and an entirely different kind of life than in the Old City. The weather couldn't have been more perfect today and eating in this outside restaurant was lovely. An elderly man was playing some kind of a home made instrument that seemed to be a cross between a bagpipe and a kazoo. He sat in the middle of the square with an open tin before him into which people would drop coins as they went by - or not. He added to the local color.
The city has gone through a lot of changes since I was last there 18 years ago. There are outdoor malls that are upscale and full of life and terrific shops. It's lined with wonderful sculpture. People of every language walk through the streets of Jerusalem, the Old City and the new. While there are many orthodox Jews, dressed in various garb according to the sect they belong to (like Christians have denominations but usually without the required clothing). There are also plenty of tour groups, likely most of them Christians, all over everywhere. Parts of Jerusalem are modern and cosmopolitan and other parts seem like they are still way back in other centuries. It's the most fascinating city in the world, I expect.
As the sun was setting it began to get chilly and we headed for the car, tired but having enjoyed a very full day. Tomorrow we are up early again for another adventure. I felt like I was filming one of those travel shows, only my camera died and my cell phone just can't get the distance and depth of what I'm wanting to show the folks who will see them. You'll just have to come and see for yourselves.
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