Sunrise over Jerusalem------ photo by Judy Pask
New Insights: Actually experiencing the geography, light/weather, people, smells, colors and archeological discoveries of Israel brings new insights to reading and hearing Scripture. A recent discovery of a 1st century Jewish ritual bath in the village of Ein Karem verified that Jews lived there and is probably the birthplace of John the Baptist….so Mary’s visit to Elizabeth means she traveled about 80 miles and back to Nazareth and then again made almost the same trip when very pregnant to nearby Bethlehem! Jesus told his disciplines to wait and watch in the Garden of Gethsemane while he prayed….Jesus knew what was going to happen and that the soldiers crossing the valley below the garden with torches would be very visible in the darkness. Riding a boat in the sea of Galilee you can feel and see the changes in the wind which can create big waves. I love hearing the lessons read in church and having a photographic picture in my mind of the landscape where the event happened! It becomes very real.
Bible Study Helps: My husband and I read Walking the Road to Bethlehem Your Journey to Christmas by Adam Hamilton during Advent and then traveled the same roads as the Holy Family. I’ve read Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus (Wayne Stiles) twice, before and after our trip, and have found my experiences in the Holy Land are adding to my understanding/enjoyment of the current Lenten devotions, Love’s Greatest Sacrifice from the Lutheran Hour Ministries.
Joy: It was a joy to share this pilgrimage with not only my husband, but five other members of our extended family!
Judy is a retired academic librarian,
member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Mechanicsville,VA. ,
married to a retired LCMS pastor.
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