Lore Blinn Gibson

We are in the Holy Land this week for a whirlwind tour of every site we can possibly fit into our trip. It's exhausting and exhilarating, all at once. Galilee's warm sun, palm trees, and rippling water remind us of Florida. Because it is a resort and agricultural area, the pace is slow and the people laid back. Even the holy places there simply feel warm and rich and welcoming. You can see how people might argue with him over a cup of strong black coffee. You can't really imagine Jesus getting crucified in Galilee.

Today, however, we moved on to Judea. A trip to Bethlehem meant going through the Israeli/Palestinian checkpoints several times. The new wall being erected divides the city of Jerusalem (oddly, since the whole country is filled with crumbling ancient walls that didn't really protect people). Houses are crammed in like a creamy white lego city. People of all different stripes, cars, and tourist buses crowd the streets. Hawkers aggressively approach to sell their wares as you leave the holy sites, where churches are built on top of churches to mark certain spots in Christ's life. Palestinian soldiers with guns stand guard as the groups leave the Church, the store, the parking lot. The concierge in the hotel packs a weapon with her business suit.

Here, they might kill you. Here, you are aware that in the great wide world, little has changed since Christ walked the streets of Zion. Violence is still the method of choice for solving problems. Power still corrupts. The meek have not yet inherited the earth.

Sitting on a stone in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, one of my traveling companions wondered aloud, "What do you think Christ would think of all this?"

I don't know. I do know that the places you will find him here might not be the places on your tour itinerary. I saw him outside the church on Zion, where an Israeli mom taught her pre-schooler to count to 3 in English. I saw him in the French nun whose face lit up when Randy spoke French to her. I saw him in the way David, another pastor on our bus, always lags behind to offer an arm to one of the elderly women who has trouble walking.

The Church buildings are interesting and historical. Many still have congregations of laity or religious orders worshiping there. One thing, though, I leave convinced of: The Church of Jesus Christ is his people.