5 Things the Christian Knows about Israel, but Needs to Experience

Jerusalem

I went to the Holy Land with other Tour Operators on a “Product Development Tour for Faith-Based Travel.” The goal of the Israel and Jordan Tourist Boards was to entice us to want to return with our clientele. From my point of view, it was extremely successful because I really want to return with others to all the amazing places I visited.

I have made a list for the Christian traveler of 5 things they already know in their “heads”, but really should experience with their “heart” by taking a life-changing trip to the Holy Land.

Atop Mt. Nebo with the Promised Land in the distance.

1) Whose Holy Land?

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are the 3 monotheistic Abrahamic religions.

Abraham fathered two sons – Isaac and Ishmael – and two nations. The nation of Edom is from the descendants of Ishmael, the sons of Lot: Ammon and Moab, as well as Esau, one of Isaac’s twins, who sold his birthright. To visit Jordan is to experience the story of the Ammonites, Moabites, Edomites and Nabateans (Nabaioth was a son of Ishmael.)

The 12 Tribes of Israel are From the lineage of Jacob, whom God named Israel. The story continues with the 12 Tribes of Israel leaving Egypt and traveling through the wilderness east of the Jordan River, which today is the country of Jordan. Atop Mt. Nebo Moses viewed the Promised Land, but he wasn’t allowed to enter. After touring Jordan we crossed the Jordan River into Israel.

Seeing these lands in person makes it become your personal Holy Land.

2) Jesus was a Jew

An Orthodox Jew at the Western Wall

What? Jesus was a Jew? Surprise! Of course, you knew this in your head, but it’s so different when you see it in person. Walking the streets of Jerusalem it is impossible to miss the Jewishness of the Holy Land!

The Christian finds it all extremely interesting and it triggers lots of questions which an excellent local tour guide is able to address.

Ruth, the Moabitess widow, came from Moab (today’s Jordan) to Bethlehem with her mother-in-law, gleaned in the barley fields, married Boaz, bore Obed, who bore Jesse, who bore David who became King and 28 generations later, Jesus is born in Bethlehem. Born a Jew, circumcised on the eighth day, and presented at the temple in Jerusalem. He was raised a Jew to study the Torah, honor the Sabbath and observe Passover. He died a Jew. Jesus was never a “Christian” and, whereas the Jewish leaders rejected Jesus as their Messiah, the Jewish followers of Jesus did not. Out of the Jewish religion the Christian faith was born and spread throughout the world.

Since my visit to Israel I have felt an appreciation and love for the Jewish people because I have been most blessed by Jesus, the Jewish Messiah.

3) What is devotion?

Young girls praying at the Western Wall

I didn’t have to wait until the streets of Jerusalem to notice the orthodox Jews. I couldn’t miss them at JFK dressed all in black and wearing broad-rimmed hats. During the flight from New York to Tel Aviv I couldn’t help but notice them at their prayers. I witnessed one woman standing in the aisle, her lips mouthing the prayers from memory while her eyes continuously moved among her family members, pointing and communicating with them with one hand while holding her prayer book in the other. The public display, the particular positions, the phylacteries, prayer books and shawls all caused me to wonder at their devotion – and consider my own.

4) Holy Land History

Olive Trees in the Garden of Gethsemane

We had a Jewish tour guide in Israel, an Arab Christian guide in Bethlehem, and a Muslim guide in Jordan and as we traveled through their land all three spoke of the historical events that occurred in each location. What I found especially thrilling was that they shared Bible stories as true historical events, believed and beloved by Jew, Christian, and Muslim! (In the USA, the implication is that these same stories are fairy tales rather than literal events.)

5) Seeing is believing

I’m not suggesting that without visiting the Holy Land one has doubts about the Bible. But it has been said that to visit the Holy Land is to experience the “fifth gospel.” There is also the saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words.”

Geographically: To drive the length and width of Israel is to experience the countryside from the Mediterranean coast to the Galilean hills, and from Mt. Hermon in the north, through the Golan Heights to the Sea of Tiberias, down the “muddy” Jordan River to the Dead Sea, and into the wilderness and the desert oases. In my experience, seeing the actual locations helped me to visualize Bible stories, and in my mind picture, Jonah, Jesus, Naaman, King David, John the Baptist, Elijah and others – in their appropriate environments.

At the muddy Jordan River

Archeologically:  Transport yourself thousands of years back in time as you walk through Hezekiah’s Tunnel or climb Tel Megiddo. Archeology is everywhere!

Politically:  To feel the domineering Roman presence at the Roman aqueduct at Caesaria, the excavated Cardo in Jerusalem, and ruins of Herod’s palaces. Experience the division of the autonomous Palestinian region and learn about the Holocaust and a Homeland for the Jews.

Prophetically:  Experience renewed anticipation after standing on the Mount of Olives and in the Valley of Megiddo where future prophetic events are to be fulfilled some day soon!

Gastronomically: Wow! What more can be said about the Middle Eastern breakfast buffet? Such abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables, freshly baked bread, halvah, cheeses, yogurt with honey, almonds, dried figs and apricots and you will agree that the holy land is a “land flowing with milk and honey.”

Roman Aqueduct at Caesarea

Come and See!!!