Historical… but not history.

Shalom.

To the delight of all GAFCON pilgrims we find we cannot help but daily immerse ourselves in the Bible’s setting and experience something of the way of life as it was for Jesus.

For me it begins each day when I open the curtains of our hotel room, for its setting on the far edge of the Mount of Olives gives me a great view over the old Jerusalem city. I recognize the place where the temple originally stood by the glittering gold dome of the mosque that now sits in its place. For some it begins in their hotel lobby as they pass orthodox Jewish gentlemen dressed in their striking black jacket and hat with their long earlocks. For others it begins as they browse the local section of the breakfast buffet containing olives, oil, cottage cheese, burekas, zatar, halva and tabulle.

The historical sights and geography certainly flesh out the Bible. I can now see how the Garden of Gethsemane is separated from Mt Zion by the Kidron Valley.

However, the greatest joy for me has been to hear the testimony of a newly converted Jewish youth in the court yard of Christ Church - the first Protestant (Anglican) church in the Middle East situated just inside the Jaffa Gate within the walls of the Old City Jerusalem.

The ministry of this church, with its foundations stemming from Charles Simeon and William Wilberforce, is flourishing. Jeb’s testimony, which I had the privilege of hearing him give for the very first time publically, reminds me that we follow a living God who continually reaches down to draw people to Himself. 

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