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We began today with hitting the high points of Israel’s history. At first glance, this may seem unnecessary and non-essential to an Israel trip that centers around “walking where Jesus walked.” However, that statement could not be more wrong! Yes, we are here to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, but you cannot go to Israel without learning about God’s people and His sovereign and faithful care of them over the centuries.
So, off to the Golan Heights we went, learning so much about
Israel’s battles with the Romans and how they gave the last full measure of
devotion to their God and defending the land God had promised them. It was a breath-taking view of the
countryside. It is also the path that
Abraham would have walked upon as well, which gives this place such biblical
significance!
After leaving the Golan Heights, we came to Caesarea Philippi. This was a heart-stirring experience for all
of us. Jesus brought His disciples to
this place in Matthew 16. This city was
a place dedicated to pagan worship of many different gods. It would have taken them at least 3 days’
walk to go there. So, why come all this
way? Jesus had something to teach His
disciples and this venue served as the perfect backdrop. Upon arriving in this
city, Jesus and His disciples stood in front the pagan temple and He asked them,
“Who do men say that I am and Who do you say that I am?” Peter replies with confessing Jesus as the
Messiah. What a tremendous picture! In the midst of all of these pagan deities,
Christ is declared as the one and true God. Then, Christ declares that upon
this “rock” (referring to Himself and His Words) He would build His
church. He was to be the foundational
boulder and cornerstone, above all other religions and gods. And the gates of hell and death cannot
prevail against it! Reading and
meditating on Christ’s words in the place where He stood and taught the
disciples truly made an impact on all of us.
We then went to Boaz’s (our tour guide) home - or “kibbutz” as he calls it - for a wonderful pizza
lunch. This was a great experience for
us and we were so thankful for their Israeli hospitality.
We finished out the day touring Tel-Dan and Tel-Hazor. In Dan, we read through 1 Kings 12, where
Jeroboam built places of worship in Dan and Bethel, in direct disobedience to
the Lord’s command to worship in the temple at Jerusalem. He did this for his own ends, only thinking
of himself. We got to tour the temple
ruins that Jeroboam built, and this was a stark reminder for us to be careful
of even little compromises in our lives where we get sidetracked from doing
what God has clearly commanded in His Word.
In Tel-Hazor, we got to tour the city that Joshua conquered and walk
through the same gates that Solomon walked through thousands of years ago!
Tomorrow, we will be leaving Galilee and begin our ascent to
Jerusalem and the Jordan Valley. This
trip continues to amaze us, change us, and give us a hunger to study the Word
and treasure it with all of our hearts!
Pastor Stephen
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