Walking Where He Walked - Surprise. Lesson. Highlight.

What surprised me in this trip?

Jesus' model of Building Multiplying Disciples. More than the places I went to (which brought me to a 4D Bible Reading), yes, it's Jesus' Pathway of Spiritual Multiplication. From the time He was born, went through the preparation period of His life for 30 years to another phase of His life where He was baptized by John, had His first followers, performed miracles, was rejected in His own town Nazareth to the Calling of Four Disciples, to His interactions and teachings in the Synagogues, to Peter's House, with Pharisees, to Matthew's House, to the Appointment & Sending of the Twelve who launched movements not just in Jerusalem but also to Judea, to Samaria and to the ends of the Earth. There are so much to learn from Jesus. And my heart is overjoyed for the many lessons and principles from His life. I can summarize them into 9 Foundational Priorities that I desire to live out by the power of the Holy Spirit:

1. Holy Spirit Dependence

2. Prayer

3. Obedience to Kingdom Agenda

4. Word

5. Exalting the Father

6. Relationships

7. Identifying and Equipping disciples as ministry team

8. Helping disciples become fishers of men

9. Appointing and sending leaders

One lesson that I learned?

Jesus' intentionality in making disciples - His high relational skills, modeling life on life discipleship in preparing and selecting them to complete the task of helping fulfill the Great Commission.  

    

One highlight in this trip?

Seeing and walking on where Jesus walked and spent His time with disciples - in Nazareth, in Galilee, in the Temple Mount, in the Mount of Olive, etc.  Jesus began His public ministry with his baptism in the Jordan River by his cousin John the Baptist. The Holy Spirit then led Him into this very wilderness region where He was tempted by the devil for 40 days and nights (Matt 4:1-11). When I had my walk here, I was imagining how Jesus was thinking, feeling and experiencing in this solitary environment. 

During these 40 days and nights, Jesus was getting ready to launch his public ministry. This was the culmination of his first 30 years preparation time, where He learned the Father's Agenda. Jesus had a clear sense of purpose and priorities as he began His ministry. This reminds me of Christ's mission for my life: to make disciples of all nations! 

So I settled on regularly asking myself:

1. Am I living my life as an authentic (not perfect) disciple of Christ?

2. Am I leading others to become disciples of Christ?

3. Am I leveraging my influence to help build a movement of multiplying disciples? 

    

 

Walking Where He Walked- Day 12

Wow, I can't believe it! Today is our final day of a twelve-day journey in the Holy Land!  We started our morning with a visit to the Garden Tomb for a tour and our closing communion service.  Then we made another visit to the Mount of Olives and ended our tour at the Southern Steps of the Temple Mount to talk about Pentecost. 

The Garden Tomb, located north of Damascus, was suggested in the 19th century as an alternative site of calvary and Jesus' Tomb. While the setting is very suggestive of what the garden would have looked like in the time of Jesus, excavations would seem to indicate that the tomb is too ancient to have been the one built by Joseph Arimathea. The details of the chiseled walls and the bench type of arrangement suggest a date during the Old Teatament. Were it not for the New Testament statement that Joseph's tomb was new, this would have been the possibility.

He is Risen! He is not here! 

Southern Steps

The main public access to the Temple was from the Southern Steps. People entered and exited through a double and triple gate, together called the Huldah Gate. These gates had to handle enormous crowds during feast days; estimates as high as 500,000 people at a time. The triple arched gate was the entrance and the double arched gate served as the exit. Although the double and triple gates have been filled in, you can still see their outlines in the walls near the well- preserved steps of the monumental staircase. 

     

Walking Where He Walked - Day 11 in Israel

Yesterday, we started our look at Passion Week in the life of Jesus.  This morning was a VERY interesting experience.  It was the most holy day in the Jewish calendar…Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement.  There was no traffic in Jewish Jerusalem. We spent our day walking in the Old City.  We picked up our Passion Week study and walk the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. 

     

 

Although the Church of the Holy Sepulcher ("tomb") is now within the city walls, it was outside the walls of Jesus' day. Various places within the church contain remains from the first century, adding credibility to its identification as the location of Calvary and the empty tomb. Up the stairs you will see the bedrock at a considerable height above the current floor; this is all that remains of the outcrop of rock which is the probable location of Calvary. 

  

    (This is how the tomb looks like in the 1st Century)

(This was probably the stone where Jesus' body was laid down after crucifixion) Many religious people come and kiss this stone.

(Many believed that this was the location where Jesus was buried). 

Bible Records:

Mark 15:21-27- Jesus' Crucifixion

Matthew 27: 62-66 - Guard at the Tomb

Matthew 28:1-7 - The Empty Tomb

John 20:10-17 - Mary mistakes Jesus for a gardener

 

Walking Where He Walked - Day 10 in Israel

Yesterday, on day 9, we finished the Galilee portion of our trip and drove back to Jerusalem. 

• We started our look at Passion Week in the life of Jesus.  We began the day at the top of the Mount of Olives and overview Bethany and Bethpage where we talked about the Triumphal Entry.  

• We walked down the traditional Palm Sunday path, and at the bottom, we reviewed the events of Sunday through Wednesday of Passion Week.  

• After lunch, we visited the Upper Room and then walked across the Kidron Valley to the Garden of Gethsemane. 

     

•  We ended our day at Caiaphas' house where Jesus was tried by the Jews.

Walking Where He Walked - Day 9 in Israel

Yesterday, on day 8, we finished the Galilee portion of our trip by heading to the very north to Dan and Caesarea Philippi, with a final stop at the church of Primacy. Today, we headed back to Jerusalem to start the last third of our trip.  

• We started day 9 by hopping on the bus and heading down the Jordan Valley. 

• Our first stop was Beth Shean which is one of the 10 cities of the Decapolis, and the only one on the west side of the Jordan River.  We took a nice hike to get to this site and we talked both Old and New Testament context. 

      

• Then we got back on the bus for a 2 hour ride down the Jordan Valley.  We crossed into Palestinian Territory and traced the route Jesus most often took when he travelled from Galilee to Jerusalem.

      

• We made a stop at the ruins from New Testament Jericho.

• Then it's up to Jerusalem from Jericho…and back to the Gloria Hotel.

Walking Where He Walked- Day 8 in Israel

Yesterday, on day 7, we hiked Mount Arbel, checked out the Jesus boat, sailed on Galilee, and visited the "other side".  Today we traveled  by bus to the northern part of Israel. 

We started day 8 by hopping on the bus and heading to the most northern spot in Israel.  We drove on the upper Golan Heights and headed to the foot of Mount Hermon.

Our first stop was Dan where we hiked along one of the sources of the Jordan River.  Dan is where Jeroboam set up a golden calf for idol worship after the 10 northern tribes of Israel broke away from the two southern tribes after the death of Solomon. This is a popular nature reserve with great Biblical connections.

Our second stop today was Caesarea Philippi (not to be confused with the ruins of Caesarea on the Med Sea). This is where Peter made his great confession of faith and declared Jesus to be the Messiah.  This is a second source of the Jordan River and we had our lunch right beside the tributary.

Our last stop of day 8 was at The Church of the Primacy along the Sea of Galilee.  Since we had to depart for Jerusalem the next morning, we wanted to end our Galilee portion of the trip with one last time at the water's edge. This is the setting for John 21 when Jesus restored Peter.

Walking Where He Walked - Day 7 in Israel

Yesterday, on day 6, we explored the 3 cities where Jesus did most of his miracles and then we took a fun hike down the Mount of Beatitudes.  Today we traveled by bus, on foot, and by boat.  We started day 7 by hopping on the bus and heading to the west side of the Sea of Galilee. We had a very little travel again today. We passed through the city of Tiberias, built by Herod Antipas, one of the sons of Herod the Great.  This is the Herod who beheaded John the Baptist and wanted Jesus to do a miracle for him during Passion Week. Jesus called him a fox.

1- Our first stop was on Mount Arbel, one of my favorite views in the Galilee.  We talked about the colliding cultures in the Galilee during the time of Jesus, and then hiked down the side of this small mountain.  Check out the pictures of this hike…

   

    

2- Our second stop today was Nof Ginnosar, a kibbutz on the Galilee. This kibbutz is famous because on its shoreline a boat from the time of Jesus was found…the only boat like this ever discovered.  The story of how they found the boat is pretty interesting.  You can watch a two part 15 minute video on the Jesus boat here:   http://www.jesusboat.com/Story-of-the-Jesus-Boat    

3- After lunch at the kibbutz snack bar (very good homemade cookies), we hopped on our own boat and ride across the Galilee.  I love this boat ride and the time to reflect on 4 key boat stories from the life of Christ. Here is a link to a very good 7 ½ minute video on the Sea of Galilee.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFeuId6wI5c&list=PLFE763A800EF8785D

4- Our last stop of day 7 was at Kursi. This is where Jesus cast out the demon from the man who was terrorizing the entire east side of the Sea of Galilee.  Some great lessons here.

Walking Where He Walked- Day 6 in Israel

Yesterday, on day 5, we left Jerusalem and headed to the Galilee.  We love our tranquil hotel setting on the edge of the Sea of Galilee.  We spent a couple hours late each afternoon, after our tour day ends, relaxing by the beach or on our patio looking out at the water.  It is so much fun to reflect on what we have just studied during the day, and to look ahead to the next day. And the pace was so different than Jerusalem.  Each location has it's own special appeal.

Here's our itinerary for day 6:

1- We started day 6 by hopping on the bus and heading north along the Sea of Galilee.  We had a very little travel today.  I think you will be surprised by how small the Galilee area where Jesus ministered really is.

2- Our morning was spent visiting 3 key cities on the north shore of Galilee  Matthew 11 tells us that Bethsaida, Korazin, and Capernaum were cursed because Jesus did most of his miracles here, and the people did not repent.  These 3 towns were part of the “Orthodox triangle” in Jesus’ day. They were filled with devout Jews who took the Law seriously.  And Bethsaida was home to at least 3 of the disciples…and maybe 5.  Today all 3 of these towns are ruins that contain many lessons for us. 

    

        

       

    

3- In the afternoon we drove to the Mount of Beatitudes where we walked down the hill to the edge of the water.  I LOVE this easy hike…gives me a great picture of all the times Jesus and his disciples were on the move walking and talking.       

Walking Where He Walked - Day 5 in Israel

Our first 4 days have been based in Jerusalem.  Today we headed to the Galilee.  You will notice a definite change in geography and energy.  The Galilee seems very relaxing compared to the hustle and bustle of Jerusalem.  And we stay at a very isolated seashore resort right on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee.  Check it out.  http://www.eingev.com/

Here's our itinerary for day 5:

1- We started day 5 by hopping on the bus and heading north.  Our first stop was Sepphoris, a city never mentioned in the Bible, but with some fun connections to Jesus and his years in Nazareth before his public ministry was launched.  This stop gives us a great look into the urban culture that Jesus incorporated into his teaching.

2- Our second stop is at a place called Nazareth village.  Here we see what life in Nazareth would have looked like for Jesus as he was growing up.  This is a stop with great photo opportunities.

3- Our third stop is on the Nazareth Precipice which overlooks the Jezreel Valley.  Fantastic views of many locations where events from both Testaments happened.  This is part of the Via Maris, the international highway that stretched from Mesopotamia to Egypt.  

    

Walking Where He Walked - Day 4 in Israel

Yesterday on day 3, we explored the Dead Sea region. Today we spent the whole day inside the Old City, with a short walk outside the city walls. 

Jerusalem…three thousand years of history and eternally young.  Strolling on 2000 year old pavements or a lively pedestrian mall,  Jerusalem is simultaneously an open air museum and a vibrant, modern city, where the past is alive amidst the present.  The unique character of Jerusalem tantalizes the senses.  It is in the golden aura of the setting sun reflecting from every building, in the black-clad men and boys with side curls hurrying to the synagogue, in the mingling sounds of tolling church bells and the muezzin calling the faithful to prayer, and in the bustle of people going about their normal business in the most extraordinary city in the world.

 
In Biblical times Jews fulfilled the injunction to make offerings at the Temple on three feast days, and it was the Passover that brought Jesus to the city at the end of His earthly life.  According to tradition, Mohammed’s night ride to heaven to receive the Koran started from the Temple Mount.  All three monotheistic religions are interwoven into the fabric of the city, each revering and making pilgrimage to its various holy sites: Jews to the Western Wall, Moslems to the Temple Mount, and Christians to the many sites where Jesus walked and ministered to the people.  Today, sites central to all 3 monotheistic faiths were seen. We explored Jerusalem with you.

Here was our itinerary for day 4:  

    

1- We started today on Temple Mount. This is the location of Solomon’s Temple, and 1000 years later, Herod’s Temple.  Jesus visited this location many times during his growing up years and during his public ministry. Now this site is under total Muslim control and is the 3rd holiest site in Islam, after Mecca and Medina.

• here is a short 1 minute video that shares the importance of this location to all three monotheistic religions.  http://jerusalem.com/videos/temple_mount_jerusalem 
• check out the short 3 minute video that focuses on the Muslim aspect of Temple Mount  http://jerusalem.com/videos/temple_mount_al_haram_al_sharif  We can't get into the buildings on Temple Mount because we aren't Muslim, so this video will let you see what is inside.

2- We left the Temple Mount and headed right next door to the Pool of Bethesda.  Read John 5 and see how Jesus healed the paralytic at this location, and then went to the Temple Mount area right next door.

3- Our third stop was at the Western Wall…the most holy site in Judaism since Jews can’t worship on Temple Mount.  This spot is holy to the Jews because it is the closest spot they can worship to the where the Holy of Holies was located in the Temple.

• check out the 1 minute video on the Western Wall.  We'll stop here to talk about Jewish worship customs.  http://jerusalem.com/videos/the_kotel_western_wall 

4- After a lunch break in the Old City we headed to the City of David, right outside the current city walls.  This in one of my favorite sites and is the location of the some of the oldest ruins of Jerusalem.  This is the area David captured from the Jebusites and made his capital over all of Israel. We spent a few hours here, and end our visit by walking through Hezekiah’s tunnel.  Are you ready for a little water walking in the dark?  You will not find a more authentic site in all of Israel.  

     

• here is a 1 minute video of the Jewish Quarter, where we will find lunch  http://jerusalem.com/videos/jewish_quarter_jerusalem
• Check out this quick 90 second video on the City of David.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZhFteuv9Is#aid=P8q-5uo1PHA 

5- After dinner at the hotel we have a special evening event.  These tickets are hard to get, so pray we can be confirmed.  We will enter the Western Wall tunnels and walk parallel to the Temple Mount, all underground. Don’t worry…this is ventilated and well lit…and dry.  You will be amazed at the size and scope of the building project Herod undertook to construct the Temple.  Jesus would have walked these streets many times, and now they are under the Muslim Quarter.

• one last 3 minute video on the history of the tunnels  http://jerusalem.com/videos/western_wall_tunnels_opening_model 

Walking Where He Walked - Day 3 in Israel

Yesterday, we had a tour chronologically, but today we took a time out from life of Christ to experience the Dead Sea region.  We were introduced to the wilderness in day 2 with our very fun Wadi Kelt wilderness walk.  Today we spent the whole day in the wilderness, but we got to explore a massive fortress, a Biblical oasis, and swim in the Dead Sea.

•  We departed Jerusalem first thing in the morning and dropped to the lowest point on the earth…the lower Jordan Valley where the Dead Sea is located. We drove right along the Dead Sea and after 2 hours we arrived to our first stop…Masada.  We rode the cable car to the top of Masada.  During the First Revolt against Rome, the Jewish rebel forces under Menachen Ben-Yehuda overpowered the Roman garrison at Masada in A.D. 66. The number of Jews who came to live in the fortress increased in A.D. 70, when some of the leaders of the revolt left Jerusalem with their families before the city was destroyed. They lived at Masada for two years before the Roman procurator Flavius Silva began the siege in earnest.  Using the RomanTenth Legion and thousands of Jewish prisoners of war, he built a wall encircling the mountain to cut off all supplies, as well as eight camps for the housing of the soldiers. He then used the Jewish captives to construct a ramp from the eastern side to the walls, knowing that the defenders inside would not attack their fellow countrymen. On the first day of Passover in A.D. 73, the defenders realized that their situation was hopeless. They chose to burn their fortress and commit suicide rather than to fall into the hands of the Romans.  This is a spectacular site and after spending a couple of hours on the top of it we will only have seen about half of it. 

      

     

• Our second stop today is at En Gedi.  Anyone up for another hike?  You better be, because we will hike up to the waterfall at En Gedi, where David spent time hiding from Saul.  This is a beautiful wilderness oasis overlooking the Dead Sea.  And the hike is pretty easy.  And a bonus is the chance to spot some Biblical wildlife.  Here is a 6:30 video that shows some good shots of En Gedi  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YfIyZJFvrQ&list=PLFE763A800EF8785D

• Our final stop today was at the Dead Sea.  We had a chance to experience a body of water that is unique in all the world.  It is an impossibility to sink in it.  The Dead Sea is composed of minerals and salts that make everyone buoyant.   Time for a short swim…really a float.  Here is a very short video showing you what to expect when you swimming here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTcyACmiaho

Walking Where He Walked - Day 2 in Israel

Day 1 was an overview day, but today we had a long hike. We toured chronologically and today we talked about the first 30 years of Jesus’ life. We call this the preparation period of Jesus' disciple making ministry.

• The beginning of Jesus' life started in Bethlehem.  One of my favorite sites in all of Israel is Herodium, located just outside Bethlehem.  This is one of King Herod the Great’s fortresses he built in case he ever had to flee Jerusalem.  I’ve attached 3 pictures of Herodium in a PDF. And the following link contains a 5 minute video shot on top of Herodium…check it out.     https://vimeo.com/113131122   And yes…we climbed to the top and talked about the birth of the King of Kings who threatened Rome’s puppet king.  In 40 B.C., Herod barely escaped from Palestine.  The combined forces of the Jews and the Parthians had closed in on him as they supported a Jewish Hasmonean contender for the throne, Matthias Antigonus.  However, Herod managed to defeat the coalition and escape to Rome. Once the Roman Senate conferred the kingship of Palestine on Herod, he returned and made plans to build a palace and a fortress on the site of his great victory.  The building of this very unusual fortress, (named after Herod, hence Herodium) began in 24 B.C., was completed in 15 B.C., right before Christ was born.  Herod was buried here and his grave has recently been found after a search lasting over 30 years.  As you stand on top of Herodium you will have an unobstructed 360 degree view: east toward Moab in Transjordan, from where Naomi and Ruth came to Bethlehem; south toward Tekoa where the prophet Amos was a shepherd; west toward Bethlehem; and north toward Jerusalem.  Below this fortress is the subtle transition from the wilderness to the cultivated area where shepherds lead their flocks from place to place, depending on the time of year. It was in the shadow of this fortress the Prince of Peace was born.

• Stop 2 today was at the Jordan River, where Jesus was baptized by John.  A mere 10 yards across the river is the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.  This is a key spot that launched the next phase of Jesus' ministry…the Ministry Foundations Phase. We were oriented about the next 18-21 months when Jesus started to build relationships with his early disciples.

            

         

• Our final stop on day 2 is a BIG adventure.  We hike the lower part of the Wadi Qelt the last few miles to Jericho.  Most of it (I said most) is downhill.  This is the main route from Jericho to Jerusalem and Jesus would have been on this route many times during his life.  This is the Judean wilderness where Jesus was tempted right after his baptism.  You will experience the Biblical wilderness in a way few other visitors to Israel ever do. And our hike gave me s new insight into many events from the Bible.   Check out these pictures.

Walking Where He Walked - Day 1 in Israel

We woke up our first morning and got ready for an overview day.  Steve (our tour guide) loves to give geographical and historical context right at the beginning of our 12 days together.  We visited 4 major sites today:

• We started by visiting the famous Israel Museum.  We saw a fantastic model of Jerusalem from right after the time of Jesus, and also squeezed in a visit to the Dead Sea scrolls. This visit helped us start to understand Jerusalem geography.

• Our second stop today was walking the Old City walls of Jerusalem.  When we speak of Jerusalem today, we speak of 3 different 'Jerusalems'. 

1.       West Jerusalem is Jewish Jerusalem.  It is very modern and the seat of Israeli government, the location of museums, and has trendy shops and coffee bars. 

2.       East Jerusalem is Arab Jerusalem.  It is also modern, but it is smaller and less developed. 

3.       Finally, there is the Old City of Jerusalem…where our hotel is located.  This is biblical and historical Jerusalem (with a couple of Biblical exceptions). We stayed right in the middle of all the action, right inside the Old City walls built in the 1500s.   The Old City is filled with Jews, Arabs, Christians, Muslims, Armenians;  and tourists and pilgrims of every stripe and color.  So we continued our day by walking on the Old City walls for a couple of hours.  We peered down into city life in the Old City as we walked around the Christian and Muslim quarters.  Every time I’m on the walls I think of Ezekiel 62:6-7 and being a watchman on the walls of Jerusalem.  Check out our walk with this video which lasts less than 4 minutes.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uzjgMqZQBI

• Our third stop today was the Mount of Olives.  This overview gives us a good chance to see all the Biblical geography of Jerusalem. This is the classic view of the Temple Mount, the old site of Solomon and Herod’s temples. 

• Our last stop of the day was the Church of Pater Noster, which is translated as "our Father" in Latin.  This convent was built over the traditional site where Jesus taught his disciples to pray what we refer to as "The Lord's Prayer".  A unique feature of this church is the Lord's Prayer written on large wall tiles in over 200 languages.

Walking Where He Walked- Day 2 (Part 1)

What a beautiful view on top of Herodium! You will have an obstructed 360 degree view: east toward Moab in Tranjordan, from where Naomi and Ruth came to Bethlehem; south toward Tekoa where the prophet Amos was a shephered; west toward Bethlehem; and north toward Jerusalem. 

Below this fortress is the subtle transition from the desert to the cultivated area where shepherds lead their flocks from place to place, depending on the time of the year.

It was in the shadow of this fortress that the Prince of Peace was born. 

In 40 BC, Herod barely escaped from Palestine. The combined forces of Jews and Parthians had closed in on him as they supported a Jewish Hasmonean contender for the throne, Mayathias Antigonus. However, Herod managed to defeat this coalition and escape to Rome.  Once the Roman Senate conferred the kingship of Palestine on Herod, he returned and made plans to build a palace and a fortress on the site od his great victory. 

The building of this very unusual fortress, began in 24 BC, was completed in 15 BC. Herod was buried here and his grave was found in 2007.