“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.” Matthew 23:37
On a table in our church foyer, there was an interesting pamphlet written by Ray Pritchard. The catchy title caught my eye, so I picked one up and took it home. It was called, “Coming Down the Homestretch: My 25 Year Plan.” The author, a sixty something man, explained how he would like to live out the rest of his life. Many of the thoughts he expressed, mirrored my own “philosophy of life.” He talked about mentoring the next generation, investing in your grandkids, and traveling as much for as long as you can. He encouraged people to get out and see the world God created, how it was life-changing to visit the Holy Land and walk through the lands of the Bible. I totally agree! Of all the places I’ve been on this earth, a trip to the Holy Land was the most amazing! There is something about walking where Jesus walked, seeing where the disciples lived and preached that brings the Bible to life!
I’ve been to the Holy Land twice, the last time with five other family members. It seemed like a huge amount of money to spend on a trip, but the memories are forever stamped in our memory bank. We went to all the typical tourist places, flying into Tel Aviv, up the coast to Caesarea, into the northern sections of Israel, boating on the Sea of Galilee, “swimming” in the Dead Sea and riding a camel. As our bus driver began the entry into Jerusalem, he played the song, “The Holy City.” We were all in tears as we approached the gates, so significant in the history of the world. There is no city on earth to compare.
Our tour guide was a converted Russian Jew who knew the Law and prophets of the Old Testament and was a scholar of the New. He explained the implications of so many sites in the City, their historical significance and why Jesus did some of the miracles He did. For instance, why didn’t Jesus put the lame man in the Pool of Bethesda? Because it was a pool built to the Greek god, Asclepius who was the god of healing. Jesus, the Great Physician came right into satans’ territory and healed the man. There are some places a tour guide might not take you that I have found important in my study of God’s Word. You might want to see:
- The “Stone the Builders Rejected” – you have to go underneath the temple mount and see and hear the story of the 700 ton stone the builders of the temple rejected several times. Eventually, it went into the foundation of Solomon’s temple. Parts of Hezekiah’s tunnel are there, as is the spot where the “Holy of Holies” is believed to be.
- Stand on the steps outside the gates where Peter preached his first sermon in Acts 2. 3,000 people were saved and baptized. There are miklah baths in the area to accommodate that many baptisms.
- Every tour goes to the Garden Tomb, a very moving experience. It’s so peaceful there. You can sit among the trees and listen to pilgrims singing as they take communion. My husband, Terry did the communion service and we were served the emblems by an elderly missionary to India. It was very meaningful, taking communion in the shadow of the resurrection site and remembering what Jesus did for us!
- And of course, a tour of the temple mount is fantastic, but depending on the attitude of the day, the guards might not let you.
Next May, Lord willing, I am planning to go again to Israel. This time, I will be taking the next generation of family members. They represent the hope of the future. I’m praying their experiences will be forever memories so when they read God’s Word, it will come to life for them!
Blessings to you, Jean