Above you see four of the sights we were blessed to see in the Holy Land, sights which illustate how the lands we saw are sometimes called "the fifth Gospel." Let me close my little tour of our Holy Land pilgrimage with these four memories, which have helped to bring Scripture alive for us.
Scene #1 ... We we in a place, now called Ein Gedi, [in Scripture called "En Gedi"] which overlooked a water fall and a cave (see in the background of the photo). There were goats grazing on this hill where we were which overlooked an oasis and Jericho; and when the passage from 1st Sam. 24: 1-3 [link provided] was read to us, it came alive right before our eyes. Here was the description of David going into a cave, which scholars strongly believe was the cave top which you see just to the right of the water fall in the distance in this picture. So, when we looked into that green valley in the Negev desert, we were seeing 1st Samual 24 right before our eyes. How cool is that?
Scene #2 ... Another cave; but this time we go up farther north in Israel to Caesarea Phillip, ... to the headwaters of the Jordan river; and we read from Matthew 16: 18, "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." And our guide, Saliba, and scholars believe that Jesus was looking right at the same cave you see in this photo as He taught His disciples, especially Peter, about His power to overcome Satan ... and that no earthly force or cult would prevail against Him or His Church. For right in that cave, at the time Jesus was teaching was a "Pan cult" practicing its religion in Caesarea Phillipi. Man, this all became so much more alive when you see where Jesus was actually doing his teaching.
Scene #3 ... This is the promised land which Moses would have looked over and seen in The Promised Land from which he would be barred by God from entering due to his past sin. But when you read Deuteronomy 34: 1-3, you will read about what you see in this photo, which is taken from the very spot mentioned from Mt. Nebo in that passage. Click on the link , read it, and see what Moses saw.
Scene #4 ... Finally, this scene is a real emotional one for me. When you read Matthew 27: 35, you read about the Roman Soldiers playing a lot casting game, vying for Jesus' garments, as they were getting ready to nail Him to the cross. Well, the stone you see in this photo is believed to be the very game the Roman soldiers had chisled into this stone where Jesus was crucified. It was very emotional for me to see that stone and realize that it was my sins which drove those soldiers to nail my Lord to the cross.
Yes, we were privileged to "read" the "fifth gospel" and see Scripture come alive for us. I pray that you, who might read this, have this opportunity in your life. What a blessing it has been for Elly and me (and 64 others) to be on this pilgrimage to walk where Jesus walked.
This will be my last pilgrim entry from my trip; and it has been gratifying to post it and relive these moments in my blog. ... <'BB><
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