It’s Getting Real Now

And we’re starting to get the goosebumps!

With my trip to The Holy Land now about a month (1 month!) away, I attended a meeting with my travel group a few nights ago. It was actually our second gathering. The first was about the political history of Israel. How did the nation get to where it is today?

This second meeting focused on the actual sites we’ll see and their significance in The Bible or in current culture. Some sites are scholar’s best guesses on where something Biblical happened, but others are absolute “X marks the spot,” places. That is, Jesus was right here. Yes, cue the goosebumps and maybe even a tear (in my meeting). Can’t imagine how I’ll feel actually standing on that holy ground.

Below are just a few of highlights I’m excited to see.

Bethlehem

For many of the holiest sites, your visit is actually to the church that has been built (or rebuilt) on the grounds, like The Church Of The Nativity. A star on the marble floor marks the spot in the Nativity Grotto – (In Arkansas, we’d call it a cave) where scholars believe Jesus was born.

The Sea Of Galilee

It’s roughly the same size as Lake Ouachita (based on surface area, 62-64 square miles). I had always thought of the Sea of Galilee as much bigger. Hadn’t you? Not only will we walk the shoreline where Jesus started his ministry and called his first disciples, we’ll go out on the water in a boat built similar to one from Jesus’ time.

Via Dolorosa

The Way of The Cross is the winding path (little less than 1/2 mile) through The Old City of Jerusalem that depicts the route Jesus walked, carrying his cross to his crucifixion. Markers along the way show the individual Stations Of the Cross, beginning with Jesus’ trial before Pilate, locations where Jesus stumbled and encountered people in the crowd, and ending at Golgotha, the site of his crucifixion.

Church Of The Holy Sepulchre

The last four Stations Of The Cross are actually inside this church, including the locations that most scholars agree on as Calvary and Jesus’ tomb. The diagram shows how the original church was built in the 4th century over these sites. The pictures show what the church looks like today.

So, have you been a pilgrim to these sites? If so, I would love to hear what you most enjoyed seeing on your trip to The Holy Land. Which places gave you goosebumps? And if you haven’t journeyed there yet, what would you be most excited to see?