I had served as a pastor for 20 years before I ever traveled to Israel. I had advanced degrees in theology, so I could both study and teach the Bible, but I did not know the Land of the Bible or its importance to biblical studies.
On my first trip, as our flight approached the coast of Israel, I recall my heart pounding with anticipation. I was about to step into the land of Israel, the very land where many of the great stories and lessons of the Bible took place. I already loved the stories, but stepping into the land left an indelible imprint on my soul.
Immediately, I sensed myself plunged into biblical history. We visited the site of Gezer, a town that served as a defensive city to Jerusalem under King Solomon. We toured Beth Shemesh where the ark of the covenant came to rest after its journey from Philistia. We explored the underground world of Beth Guvrin and stood on Tel Lachish, the site of Sennacherib’s assault against Judah in the 8th century B.C. Remnants of the battle are still visible today.
Dead Sea (Photo Credit: Israel Ministry of Tourism)
We then made our way across the northern Negev to Arad and down to the Dead Sea; the lowest site on earth at 1,400 feet below sea level and perhaps the world’s largest spa. We climbed Masada, a solemn site of Israel’s resistance against Rome, and then refreshed ourselves in the spring waters at Ein Gedi as David and his mighty men did some 3,000 years earlier.
Masada (Photo Credit: Manu Grinspan/Israel Ministry of Tourism)
A two-hour drive north along the Jordan River brought us to the Sea of Galilee and sites such as Beth Shean where the bodies of Saul and Jonathan were hung; and Mount Arbel with a breathtaking view of Galilee; Capernaum where Jesus lived during His Galilean ministry; Bethsaida, the hometown of Peter and Andrew; Tabgha where Jesus shared a breakfast of fish with His disciples following the resurrection; and Susita, one of the Decapolis cities left over from the conquests of Alexander the Great. We visited springs at Tel Dan and Caesarea Philippi in Upper Galilee and Gamla, Kaztrin, and Nimrod, a Mamluk-era fortress in the Golan Heights.
Mount Arbel (Photo Credit: Yuval Gassar/Israel Ministry of Tourism)
Leaving Galilee, we came to the remarkable Caesarea Maritima on the Mediterranean coast, a city built by Herod the Great, where the Apostle Paul was imprisoned for two years before being sent to Rome. Finally, as if anticipation could hold us no longer, we arrived in Jerusalem and took our first look at the ancient city from the Haas Promenade. It was a deeply moving moment as I sensed the weight of history that lies upon that sacred place. Here, arguably the most extraordinary events in human history took place, where heaven touched the earth and redemption was accomplished for mankind.
If I could, I would take everyone to Jerusalem. The ancient streets, the stone walls, the Southern Steps of the Temple Mount, steps which almost certainly were graced by the feet of Jesus; the Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane—all of these sites transported me historically, spiritually, passionately, wonderfully into the biblical story as if to make me a part of it.
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