I can’t believe it, in just about seven months I’ll be
landing in Tel Aviv, Israel followed by a quick tour bus ride to the holiest
spot in all of creation, Jerusalem. Jerusalem is where the Divine and the human connect. Jerusalem is where heaven and earth intersect. It’s where Jesus spent much of his life. It is where Jesus worshiped and provided
sacrifices in the Temple. It’s where
Jesus was separated from his family at the age of twelve and they found him
studying with the great Rabbi’s. It’s
where Jesus healed many people and taught many crowds. Jerusalem is where Jesus and his disciples
gathered in an olive orchard to rest, teach and pray (see photo at left). Jerusalem is where Jesus was tried and
crucified and where he ascended into heaven.
If there was one place I could I wish I could take all my friends and their friends it would be to Israel. I know that going to Israel is not on many top ten lists, but it should be because it's the surprise of a life time. After making three trips to Israel I can assure everyone that nothing can renew, revive, and refresh a life like walking where Jesus walked. The smell the Sea of Galilee, the crunch of the rock under your feet at Jericho, and seeing the
ancient city gates of Jerusalem do something to one’s spirit. When
I stand on the traditional site of the Sermon on the Mount and see the wild
flowers dotting the landscape I understand better than ever what Jesus meant
when he told the crowd that not “even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed
like one of these” (Matthew 6.29). Walking
where Jesus walked has transformed my life. And I believe it can for you too.
A passage of scripture that captures the essence of a trip to Israel is in the book of Luke chapter 24. Two unknown disciples are walking from Jerusalem to a town called Emmaus trying to make sense out of Jesus' crucifixion several days earlier. Along the way a stranger joins up with them and is invited to walk with them. The unknown man asks them what they're discussing and why they're so downcast. They tell him about Jesus and the crucifixion. Once in Emmaus they ask their new friend to join them for dinner. He accepts. And out of courtesy he asks for the privilege of blessing the meal. Read what the bible says happens next.
"He took the bread, made the blessing, broke it and handed it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. But he became invisible to them. They said to each other, Didn't our hearts burn inside us as he spoke to us on the road, opening up the Scriptures to us?" They got up at once, returned to Jerusalem and found the other disciples gathered together with their friends, saying, "It's true! The Lord has risen! Peter saw him. Then the two told what had happened on the road and how he had become known to them in the breaking of the bread." (The gospel of Luke, chapter 24 verses 30-35)
This is what happens to people who walk where Jesus walked. Come walk with me and others on the roads in Israel. And don't be surprised if on one of those roads God becomes very real to you and transforms your life.
Anyone and everyone is welcome to travel with me. There is more information about
the pilgrimage on this site. Just go the left side of the page and click on Register for Pilgrimage to the Holy Land 2011.
If you have any questions please contact me at bryan@asbury-lr.org or bryanwfink@gmail.com or on Facebook.
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