In his third ‘postcard’ from Jordan, where he is on his oversea tour, the Moderator, Dr Charles McMullen, takes a break and visits the ancient and once lost city of Petra. Looking at the elaborate tombs it crossed his mind that there has always been a search deep in the heart of mankind for eternity.

We have just spent two wonderfully relaxing days being taken to places well off the beaten track, including the spectacular Jordanian Rift Valley, where from a small hotel in Dana we talked to a warm, friendly and interesting guide.

As I looked into the far distance, breathing in the peace and tranquillity, I thought to myself that I’d love to return here with a small group, and head off on a three to four day trek. Even in Petra, a World Heritage Site and one of the new seven wonders, our wonderful host knew where to take us to maximise the views.

Nothing can prepare you for Petra. Take it from me that I’m not prone to exaggeration, but words, and even photos, cannot even remotely begin to do justice to how stunning and breathtaking it actually is. John William Burgon famously describes it as “a rose-red city half as old as time”. Dating back to Nabataean and Roman times, this hidden treasure was rediscovered after hundreds of years by a Swiss adventurer at the beginning of the 19th century.

Its landmark is the imposing Treasury, first glimpsed as you emerge from weaving your way through a long, spectacular ravine. Soaring to over 40 metres, its Corinthian pillars are beautifully preserved and surrounded by intricate detail. On the upper storey there is a solid-stone urn, according to legend filled with gold.

As we walked further, suddenly all around us were the facades of numerous other massive monuments hewn in the rock face. It was simply unbelievable that we were basically looking at elaborate tombs and now it crossed my mind that there has always been a search deep in the heart of mankind for eternity.

Our host knew again where exactly to take me. In the heat, I tried to conceal my breathlessness as we climbed a man-made staircase in the rocks and emerged at what in the Old Testament would have been described as a ‘high place’, a large sunken courtyard and neighbouring altar.

From tombs to high places! And now, as I took in yet another amazing view, the best moment of all. The sacrifice has been paid. Christ is risen! And I am His forever!

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Dr McMullen is minister of West Church Bangor and was selected as moderator-designate in February 2018 and officially elected and installed as Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland at the General Assembly on 4 June. You can read his previous ‘postcards’ here, and news about his overseas visit here. You can also follow his travels on Twitter at @pcimoderator hashtag #pcioverseastour.