Journey Home to Israel

Daily Journal for Saturday, November 8, 2008

Communion in Jerusalem's Garden Tomb, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and a walk along the Via Dolorosa ("Way of Sorrow"), the traditional pathway Jesus took from the `hall of judgment" to Calvary, highlighted Saturday's schedule on The Fellowship's 2008 Journey Home Tour.

Fellowship supporters stepped inside the tomb, thought to have belonged to Joseph of Arimathaea, who, following the crucifixion, wrapped the body of Jesus in a clean linen shroud and laid it in the tomb. The rock-cut Jewish tomb with two chambers a vestibule for relatives who come to mourn for the dead and a second chamber where the corpse was laid then was sealed by the chief priests and Pharisees who feared the disciples of Jesus would steal His body. Yet, when Mary Magdalene went to visit the tomb, an angel said, "Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He has risen, as he said."

Rev. Jerry Clark, IFCJ director of church relations, led the poignant Communion service in the Garden Tomb's serene garden with colorful flowers and lush greenery. Rev. Shawn Baker, pastor of Faith Temple Church in Middlesboro, Ky., read Scripture, and Dr. Paul C. Paino of the IFCJ staff sang "Remember Me." Journey Home participants triumphantly sang "Because He Lives."

The group then walked through the crowded marketplace of the Old City, observing many of the 14 Stations of the Cross thought to be the traditional route Jesus walked on the day of His death from Pilate's judgment hall to His crucifixion on Calvary. Located on the narrow cobblestone walkways of the marketplace in the Old City, the Stations of the Cross begin at the Tower of Antonia and proceed to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Journey Home visitors also visited the Pool of Bethesda, carved out of rock, where the sick waited to be healed. It was there, according to the gospel of John, where Jesus healed a man who had been sick for 38 years. Next, Fellowship partners went to the altar of St. Anne's Church, named after Mary's mother, to sing "How Great Thou Art."

FAREWELL BANQUET: The tour's Farewell Banquet was Saturday night because many participants left Sunday evening for flights back to the United States. Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, IFCJ founder/president, spoke briefly; and two videos celebrating The Fellowship's 25 th Anniversary were shown. Visitors surprised the rabbi and his wife, Joelle, with the gift of a forest of trees to be planted in Israel in their honor.