Our trip to Israel ended at the Garden Tomb, the likely place where Jesus was buried and resurrected. In the providence of God, the resurrection was the subject of the doctrine class last night. We were encouraged as we considered the truth and the implications of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. One of the many passages that we studied was 1 Corinthians 15:20 “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.” The first taste of the final harvest that is to come.
As good as it was to visit Israel and to walk where Jesus walked, there is something far better and more glorious that is yet to come. He no longer abides in Israel, He is risen and ascended to the right hand of the Father. He is coming one glorious day and those who are in Christ will receive the full bounty of all that He has for us.
1 Corinthians 15:17 “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.”

We walked the Via Dolorosa, the way of the Cross. Though the exact path is not recorded in Scripture, pilgrims have been retracing the steps of Christ to Calvary for centuries. The Via Dolorosa is marked with stations to stop and reflect on the final hours of the life of Jesus. Though part of the stations are based on tradition, most of them are based on Scripture. We paused at each of the locations assigned to represent the words of the Bible by reading from the Gospels.
The pace of life around you as you make your way and read from the Word of God gives you somewhat of a feel for what it was like on Good Friday. However, the Word of God clearly reminds you that what took place on that day will never be repeated. The blessed words of our Savior say it all…”It is finished!”.
Tomorrow, we will celebrate the resurrection at the garden tomb and celebrate communion together before boarding the plane to head home. The trip has been a wonderful time of fellowship. Sharing the experience of the Holy Land with brothers and sisters in Christ who you know and love has proved to be an added blessing. We will not forget what we have seen and heard together. We will long cherish the memories, joy,and laughter that we have shared together.

Visiting the Holy Land overwhelms you with the impact of walking where Jesus walked. In addition, whether you want it to or not, your visit also brings you face to face with Islam and Judaism. Nowhere is this more evident than inside the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem. The site of the Temple Mount compacts the two together in a daily tension of both religions seeking to practice their faith.
Witnessing the locations and the people burdens the heart of the believer in Christ. You are almost overwhelmed with the knowledge of the lostness that surrounds you. As the Jewish people pray at the Western Wall, many of them are offering prayers for the coming of the Messiah to restore the Temple. You are saddened to know that He has already come and they fail to see and believe.
As I walked away from the Wall today, I found encouragement for my own heart by reflecting on the book of Hebrews…
Hebrews 10:19-22a “Therefore, brothers since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus by the new and living way that he opened forums through the curtain that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith…”

“I walked today where Jesus walked…”

We walked the path of the Triumphal entry of Christ and stood where He taught His disciples and told of them of His coming. We considered the prophecy of Zechariah that says that is where He will come.

We walked down the mountain to the Garden of Gethsemane and prayed where Jesus prayed. We were humbled to consider the agony of Christ as He prayed and drops of blood fell from His pores.

We walked beside the very steps(picture above) that He took to the house of Caiaphas the High Priest for the hurried trial, which found Him guilty of proclaiming to be who He actually was. Then, we descended into the holding cell where He spent the night alone in the dark. We sang in reverence…”Amazing grace how sweet the sound…”

“I(we)walked today where Jesus walked and felt His presence there…”