JENNY: The big news here at the Jesus Atlas project is that we in Israel, midway through the fourth “location scouting” trip! The goal is to research, confirm & photograph the most probable locations of events in Jesus’ life.
While this is Wilson’s fourth trip to the area, it is my first. (Perhaps we’ll post flashbacks to previous trips a little later). I’m no stranger to international travel, but there have been some firsts for me on this trip so far. First time being extensively interviewed before being able to check bags (hello El Al security), first time driving in a foreign country… (Roundabouts are fun… Turning around on steep narrow windy roads with cars parked on both sides and pedestrians in the street, not so much.)
But I digress. On to the itinerary. We stayed three days at the Jerusalem Hills Inn at Abu Ghosh (Modern day Abu Ghosh is a possible location of Emmaus, where Jesus surprised two of his followers after the resurrection.) Great little B&B, by the way. Lovely view and friendly hosts. Plus, driving up their “street” is like a mini-course in mountain driving skills, which seem to be necessary here. I did not realize how many hills there are here… There I go talking about driving again.
After a day exploring Abu Ghosh and the second day zipping around (and sitting in traffic) in Jerusalem, we attended the Narkis street Baptist Church on Sunday and went out to lunch with friends afterward. One cannot stay too long with friends not seen in years, especially when discussing the Jesus Atlas project (and other things). That lunch lasted 4 hours…
Then it was on to Netanya, Nain, & Safed; and (today) Nazareth. I asked Vo to summarize the Jesus Atlas location work on this trip so far.
WILSON:
- We photographed the location of Bethphage.
- We retraced the route of the Roman highway to Jericho as it descended from the Mount of Olives (it was very steep) to the conjunction with Highway 1 which parallels the Roman road.
- We also drove down the very steep Tyropean Valley Road – this would be where Jesus entered first-century Jerusalem in his triumphal procession.
- We photographed the only spring in Nazareth – where Mary would have drawn water while living there. A church now surrounds the spring, and the water is piped to a fountain nearby (photo).
- From the Mount of Precipice just outside Nazareth, we got a full picture of the location and relationship of Nazareth to the Jezreel Valley, Mount Tabor, and the city of Nein (Nain) at the foot of the hill of Moreh.
- We photographed some steps leading up to the Western Wall in Jerusalem along with the paved area nearby, which is the most likely place for Jesus to have been judged by Pilate.
JENNY: That’s all for now… We’ll try to post again tomorrow. 😀