Community - Day 8

This was a difficult morning. I really don't know why but after a good night's sleep I awoke tired and a bit sore. We've changed elevation but only 3000 feet. It is certainly more humid but not unlike South Carolina. For whatever reason I just wasn't on my game

So what was the first thing on our journey today?  A hike up Mt. Arbel! If you've ever climbed that

mountain I need write no more. Two of our group turned back after the first stop. Though my legs were screaming I wasn't about to do that. I must bless God at this point for giving me the sheer power of will to just keep climbing. And oh, what a climb. Someone remarked there isn't a state park in America that would allow the public to scale such a hazardous trail. They're right. But the sheer joy and exhileration was fantastic!

As wonderful as the climb (and decent) was it still wasn't the reason for this hike. What we saw from the

summit most certainly was! From the top of Mt. Arbel one can view an inspirational panorama of every city and major part of the Galilee in which Jesus walked and taught. It was breathtaking. Honestly. Galilee is beautiful. And the thought that my eyes were seeing what Jesus essentially saw was just too wonderful for words. We received another fantastic geography lesson as we once again learned how much place matters. Beaides, we could see it all from there!

As Ray began to unpack community and discipleship and the need to love and pray for one another, he made a statemennt that stunned us all. You see, he had already made this climb earlier that morning to pray for each of us by name. You can't imagine the effect this had on us all. We were then given the opportunity to pray for those on whom we had direct spiritual influence. Jane Ann, William, Joseph and Ashleigh, I called out your name before the Lord on that hill and then asked Him to make me a better lamp for your path.

Following lunch (which we ate early at 2) we spent time in Korazin studying the synagogue and learning

about Jewish life and customs particularly those surrounding the Insula. One in our group is an art history student. She shared some insight regarding the architectural style of the synagogue and its significance in the culture thy Ray had never before considered. He was grateful for the insight as were we all.

The best was yet to come. As we discussed the educational customs and the Rabbi-disciple model we learned what true discipleship really is, and what kind of passion and dedication it takes to truly be a "disciple". It was one of the most riveting and convicting things I've ever heard.

A short ride brought us to one of many hillsides in the area where Jesus taught and just like the one (if

not THE one) on which the feeding of the 5000 took place. RVL is not a "square inch" guy but even if he were there just aren't enough textual clues to be certain. It didn't matter. Israel had long ago worked its uncanny magic on us all, so to be close was good enough. There was another 30 minutes of amazing teaching on that hill but what happened on the next one I must briefly share.

We were led past a farm to a steep grassy hill that turned out to contain a large pile of stones. The Rabbi had earlier reached down and taken a stone from the path. We are quick studies, having learned the En Gedi lesson, so everyone else did the same. This stone pile, we learned, began as a memorial to Ray's mother who was tragically killed in an automobile accident. What was being memorialized was not just what agreat lady she was, however, but also her spiritual influence on Ray which led to his being a continuation of The Story. We then learned what the rocks were for. Each of us had the opportunity to thank God for the one who had been responsible for linking us into The Story and place a rock in their honor or memory on that pile. Again, it was a moving experience.

For the second time our day ended in darkness as we carefully picked our way down the steep hills. Everyone made it safely.

Ray said many, many things today always as a direct response to the bible and what it had to say. Every teaching and Faith Lesson is that way. Among many one that is still ringing in my ears is: You can't be a true disciple of Jesus without an intense, all-consuming passion to be like Jesus. Not just to know what Jesus said but to Be who Jesus was. And you must do this in the context of Community. It is impossible to bring Shalom to the Chaos without the love and support of Community.




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