Reaching the end of a very steep Palm Sunday road you are rewarded with a beautiful site; The Garden of Gethsemane. Walking through the garden and around the corner, is the front of the Church of all Nations also known as the Church or Basilica of the Agony. I find this church fascinating with all the art and significance that each detail represents. This is the place where Jesus prayed and agonized before his arrest and crucifixion. One small detail that I find very sweet and stands on top of the pediment with the cross, two deer looking up at the cross, the deer point the way to the cross.
Psalm 42:1 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.
The song below expands the verse into a catchy tune that stays with me when I stand in front of this basilica.
As The Deer
As the deer panteth for the water
so my soul longeth after thee;
You alone are my heart’s desire
and I long to worship thee.
You alone are my strength, my shield;
to You alone will my spirit yield;
You alone are my heart’s desire
and I long to worship thee.
You’re my friend, and You are my brother,
even though You are a King;
I love You more than any other,
so much more than anything.
I want You more than gold or silver;
only You can satisfy;
You alone are the real joy giver
and the apple of my eye.
(Martin Nystrom, ©1984 Maranatha Praise, Inc.)
Many times this song comes to mind as I prepare for the next journey to the Holy Land as well as when I am in the Holy Land. This song speaks to me in many ways. Currently, it is speaking to me during this time of a global pandemic and we cannot travel to the Holy Land and we have to wait. I’m not good at waiting. Yet we wait, as the deer point the way, until we can be in the land again.
