Like many of you, I’ve grown up hearing and reading stories from the Bible. Some of my favorites are of Joseph, the beloved son of Jacob who was sold into slavery by his jealous older brothers, but then rose to power in the house of Pharaoh. And of David, the unlikely shepherd boy who stood up to the mighty giant Goliath, teaching us that God can use anyone to accomplish His plan. I love the story of Jesus speaking to the woman at the well. And the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 from only 5 loaves and 2 fish.
I’ve tried to picture the people and places of these stories. What they looked like- where they happened. These things occurred thousands of years ago. Obviously there weren’t cameras back then for us to see what Jonah or Peter or Jesus looked like. So we have to try and imagine…
Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would have the opportunity to see first hand where stories from the Bible originated from.
Caesarea's Roman amphitheater was built by King Herod around 2,000 years ago.
During our tour throughout Tiberius, Capernaum, Nazareth, and Jerusalem, we were able to walk through ancient civilizations, synagogues, palaces and even underground tunnels, some dating back as far as the first century. It was mind blowing as I sat in Kind Herod’s place in his Amphitheater, or running around his Hippodrome with seating for 13,000. I was in awe walking along the Holy Temple, placing my hand upon the Western Wall! Here in America, “old” to us is 200 years. We can’t fathom something that was built in 19 BC.
I was also surprised at the close proximity that everything was. One day, we stood in the palace ruins of King David and our guide Susan began to point out, “Up on the hill to our left is the house of Caiaphas, and here is where David would have looked over his palace balcony and had a view of Bathsheba, and in this direction is where Stephen was stoned, and up there is the Mount of Olives, and over in that direction is where scholars believe Jesus ascended into heaven…”
I was amazed! But of course, travel was primarily on foot back then, so naturally, things occurred within an approximate distance.
But what had the biggest impact on me, were the natural settings; the fields, the sea, and the sky. These things helped me to connect to God’s Word in an indescribable way and visualize what life was like thousands of years ago.
On day two of our tour, we traveled to Galilee. There we saw where Jesus preached the Beatitudes and fed the 5,000. When given the opportunity to walk down to the shores of the Sea of Galilee, I couldn’t wait to sit on those very rocks, take my socks and shoes off and stick my bare feet in the water. That’s when I was able to make a real connection to the stories of the Bible.
A little background; The Sea of Galilee is actually a vast freshwater expanse, (not saltwater, as some may think), located in the Jordan Valley about 60 miles north of Jerusalem. It is approximately 13 miles long and 7.5 miles wide. Because it lies low in a valley surrounded by hills, it is prone to sudden and severe storms regularly on its waters.
Matthew 8:23-27 records this story...
“And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them,“Why are you afraid, O you of little faith? Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying,
“What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” And here I was sitting on the shores of this very body of water.
“And there were shepherds living out in these fields, keeping watch over their flocks at night…”
Another special place for me was in Bethlehem. And it wasn’t because we waited in line for two hours to see a bedazzled church and an ornate gold star placed in the approximate location where the baby Jesus was thought to be born.
No, it was actually a simple field. Luke chapter 2 goes on to say, “And there were shepherds living out in these fields, keeping watch over their flocks at night. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
I stood looking out at that very field and gazed up into the same sky that angels announced the birth of Christ! I was in awe. What a sight for those shepherds!
Sadly, “O Little Town of Bethlehem” has changed a lot in two thousand years. It wasn’t what I expected at all. It’s dirty with garbage everywhere, crowded and I felt somewhat uneasy walking it’s streets. But the sky… it is the same sky from which Jesus was born- it hasn’t changed. And as I looked up, I felt close to God. And the Good News the angels announced? It hasn’t changed either.
Stairs leading up to the Temple Mount. Jesus walked and taught on these very steps.
Something our guide said to us several times was this. She said, ‘Folks, This isn’t Disney Land. The places and people we talk about as we walk- they are real. They actually happened. They aren’t fairy tales. They aren’t characters in a story book. They are scriptural, historical, archaeological facts.”
I don’t know if you will be able to take your own trip to Israel. I hope, if given the opportunity, you will go. It is safe, it is friendly and it will change you. For me, it brought the Bible to life. I will never read these stories the same! God’s word IS true!
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever!” Hebrews 13:8