#404 3 Lessons from the Holy Land

I recently spent a week in Israel on an incredible trip split between visiting Biblical/historical sites and understanding the geopolitical situation in the region post-Oct. 7th. In this episode, I share three key lessons from my time in the Holy Land. The video is linked below if interested in seeing the pictures and places I describe in this episode.

A couple more detailed notes:

First, a few reflections on the spiritual impact. I have studied the Bible most of my life. After touring so many Biblical sites over the last week, I have the sense that I have read the Bible in black-and-white but now see it in color. A few highlights:

1. Visiting the Garden Tomb and Golgotha was, of course, a powerful experience. As one of two sites believed to be the location of Christ’s tomb (the other is at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre; the Garden Tomb is favored by many Protestants/evangelicals), we observed communion, read Scripture, and sang hymns. He is risen!

2. Walking up the Pilgrim Road from the Pool of Siloam to the Temple Mount brings the Gospel and the book of Acts to life. Christ almost certainly walked up these same stones. Lost to history for almost 2,000 years, this road and the City of David is currently being excavated, and archaeologists found coins and a Roman sword still in its leather scabbard dating from the first Jewish revolt in AD 66-70. Website if interested: https://cityofdavid.org.il/…/5-things-to-know-about…/

3. I just finished preaching through the trials of Paul in Caesarea toward the end of the book of Acts, and archeologists recently uncovered a cell in the palace that may have held Paul! There is also a stone commemorating Pilate’s renovation of the palace originally built by Herod the Great. Real people. Real places.

4. Visiting the House of Peter and the synagogue in Caperneum where Jesus taught as well as a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee were powerful moments.

Concerning the geopolitical situation, I have always generally supported Israel. I do not read Gen. 12:2-3 as a requirement to endorse all actions of the Israeli government, but I do recognize Israel as a part of God’s ongoing plan in human history (see Rom. 11; “I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. ..God hath not cast away His people which he foreknew.”). This trip highlighted Israel’s determined and proportional efforts to defend its interests in the region and the importance of US support. A couple highlights:

1. Along with a few other pastors, I had an opportunity to connect with Ambassador Leiter (Israeli ambassador to the US). We even had an opportunity to pray with him–a powerful moment as he shared with us that a memorial for his son Moshe (killed in Gaza) would be held the next day.

2. Hearing testimony from released hostage Yair Horn was gutwrenching, as he shared his harrowing story of 498 days in Hamas captivity. Also, we heard a first-hand account of a resident of Netiv Ha’asara–one of the communities hit on Oct. 7th. She described how her close neighbors were murdered that day. The Nova festival site also echoed of the same hatred and butchery as the sites in Poland.

3. We visited the border with Gaza, West Bank, and Syria. I was aware of this before, but an IDF spokesperson explained in greater detail the necessity of an attorney to sign off on strikes on Hamas in Gaza and the routine humanitarian assistance supplied to Gaza but intercepted by Hamas. This trip also gave me great sympathy for the people of Gaza as Hamas refuses to hold elections; diverts aid to military use; places military infrastructure such as rocket launchers and tunnels in or around civilian buildings (including a Boy Scout building and near a hospital); and threatens civilians with injury or death if they leave buildings when notified by the IDF of military operations in the area. Praying that the current ceasefire in Gaza holds.

4. On a lighter note, Israel’s technological developments are remarkable–especially in the area of water technology. Israel’s desalinization plants now have the capacity to pump water back into the Sea of Galilee. And Israel has made the desert bloom.

A memorable trip for so many reasons, and grateful to Christians United for Israel (CUFI) for the opportunity.

Click Here to watch on YouTube

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