Mennonite Weekly Review

HARRISONBURG, Va. — Can anything good come from Nazareth? A rhetorical question? Not really. In John 1:46, Nathaniel made that inquiry, and Jesus’ disciple Philip answered, “Come and see.”

Artisans demonstrate their craft in the carpenter’s workshop at Nazareth Village. — Photo provided by Nazareth Village

For a decade, people have come to Nazareth, Israel, feeling as though they had traveled back in time to the very place where Jesus walked, talked, healed and changed the course of history.

The place is Nazareth Village, an authentic restoration of a farm and village as it would have existed in the first century.

The project, which Mennonites have been involved in from the beginning, occupies about six acres of land adjacent to Nazareth Hospital.

Nazareth Village describes itself as “a living presentation of the life, times and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth.”

Visitors can take guided tours that include homes, workshops, a synagogue, working olive press and first-century wine press and stone quarry. They can observe carpenters plying their trade and herdsmen tending their flock while hearing Jesus’ teachings and parables told as the Man of Galilee would tell them.

On Feb. 28 about 230 supporters and friends of this venture, which is marking its 10th anniversary this year, gathered at Eastern Mennonite High School to hear an update on the project and savor a first-century meal.

The speaker was Nakhle Bishara, a physician and medical director of Nazareth Hospital from 1988 to 2006, now working at another hospital in Nazareth. A ninth-generation Nazarene and member of the Greek Orthodox Church, he was a founding board member of the Village and continues in this capacity today.

In 1994, Bishara shared his dream of turning the dry, dusty stones of Nazareth into living stones with freelance writer-photographer team Ginny and Mike Hostetler, who were at the hospital working on a video project. He was passionate about wanting to share the stories of Jesus with the thousands of tourists who come to Jesus’ home town each year.

Nearly a year later, Nakhle heard from Hostetler: “I’m coming back to Nazareth and I need a place to stay for a week — and I’m bringing 11 other people with me.”