It was, and probably would remain, the coldest baptism I have ever done. We did it at Yardenit – the baptismal site of the Jordan River. In the days leading to the baptism the unusually cold weather led me to give a way out for the parents of the baptism candidates, You know the weather is extremely cold and you may be concerned for your children. Think about it, if you do not want to go ahead with it, let me know. We can do it back in Singapore, in warmer waters. Later I was told, The children want to go ahead with it. I had no choice then. So after donning swimming tights and baptism robes we took some photos, went down the steps into the river, and pastor Thomas and I baptized them in the fastest speed ever recorded. Remarkably, I was cold when outside, but in the waters I felt unusually “uncold”. This was in 13th December 2013 in the cold and holy land.
There is no magic nor a special blessing about doing a renewal of commitment to marriage in Cana. Jesus graced a wedding party at Cana and did a great miracle of changing water to wine. However this does not mean your renewed marriage will turn from water to wine. However doing a renewal of commitment can be memorable, special and may mark a milestone for marriages that have gone through some turbulence, or have turned from wine to water. I led the service in the church: a song, a short exhortation, and some statements of renewed commitment, and a prayer of blessing. Then it was photo taking time! (All photos: Euhan)
Near the Banias, remnants of the pagan temple of Pan, located near Mount Hermon in the Golan Heights, we stood where it is claimed Peter declared, You are the Christ the Son of the living God in one breath, and in another he insisted that Jesus must not take the Calvary road. Lord, help me to see that the cross is not to be shunned but to be accepted with a Not my will, but Yours be done”. This was in December 2013. Wonderful memories.
The weather got better by the time we reached Capernaum, and our energy inched up despite the overnight flight from Singapore. This hometown of Peter and Andrew, and James and John, was a small fishing village on the northern edge of the Galilee lake. It became the staging area for Jesus’ ministry in that province. Many mighty miracles were done here but people were resistant.
I was looking at some old photos of the holy land trip I led in December of 2013. It was unforgettable. It was unexpectedly cold. One of the coldest in the recent history of Israel. It snowed heavily in Jerusalem. And here in Caesarea by the Sea I faced the forebodings of a freeze. I worried that the itinerary would be curtailed.