Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2
I’ve been back from Galilee for over a week. There’s just one more Physical Settings trip remaining, which will begin this coming Thursday, heading east into Jordan. What’s been happening in the meantime? While I was in Galilee, JUC’s Pastor Parishioner trip began, with participants including my mom and a couple coworkers of ours. It’s nice having someone visit me.
They’re busy doing field trips around the country of their own, but we’ve gotten to see each other some. Last Thursday I joined them for a walk through Hezekiah’s Tunnel in the City of David, which our group had skipped for time reasons. King Hezekiah dug this tunnel to bring the water of the Gihon spring into the walled city (2 Kings 20:20), rather than be faced with a siege that deprived them of water. The regulated water still flows through the tunnel and is a lot of fun to wander through (as long as you’re not claustrophobic).
Since I didn’t have anything scheduled on Saturday, I joined them on their bus to tour the Shephelah as I had done a few weeks prior. Also, Sunday they had some free time that I joined them for more explorations of the Old City of Jerusalem on our own.
Last Saturday evening I hurried back to campus for our Fall Party, which coincides with Halloween. Various people were dressed up for supper. Afterwards we had a tour of the Protestant Cemetery behind our campus. Many fascinating and famous people are buried here. There are archaeologists like Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie (who we’ve discussed in multiple classes – maybe a full blog post about him in the future) and James Leslie Starkey. There’s Horratio Spafford, who wrote the hymn “It is Well with My Soul”. The Founder of JUC, G. Douglas Young, and his wife are buried here. There are British soldiers who died in the bombing of the King David Hotel. There are many fun stories that can be heard here.
On church on Sunday the sermon was about All Saints Day, with various people talking about those who have had an impact on their lives. We remember those who have gone before us. I thank God for loving parents, grandparents, and great friends who have encouraged me. What about you?
