Page 36 - Holyland Magazine - 2022 Edition

Boat Chapel - Duc In Altum

Departing Ben Gurion Jewish roots of Christianity,
Airport and driving north a place where a Jewish
toward Tiberias, breathing carpenter left His footprint
the ethereal ambiance for others to follow. I’ve
where history unfolds, experienced these many
I simply fell in love with places, have been touched
the biblical landscape and been moved by their
and witnessed the truth spiritual significance that
of the stories I heard as only a journey of this nature,
a child come to life. As a faith walk, can provide.
we approached the Sea
of Galilee and its tranquil My own faith walk has
waters where Jesus been renewed during
calmed the storm, as told by Matthew, Mark, as this holy city’s natural fortress, we ascend to each of my countless visits in the Holy Land.
and Luke in the Gospels, I was transfixed, Jerusalem where, it is said: “God partitioned 10 I know I share this experience with millions
transcending time through thousands of parts of beauty to the world, nine of them are of others, each one bringing with them from
years. Continuing to Capernaum, I stood in found in Jerusalem” (Talmud Kiddushin 49a-b). their individual upbringing, culture, education,
the place where Matthew observed Jesus Here, in this city, as though we approach the their understanding of belief in the Bible, and
sharing the message that His disciples serve crown jewel, we find a magnificent peak to a their yearning to visit the Holy Land. Each of
as ‘fishers of men.’ Here, in these places, spiritually enlightening journey of this nature. us touches the stories and figures of the Bible,
as thousands have shared with me, Jesus’ reliving our ancestors’ existence and their
message continues to echo. Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem comes relevance today.
to mind then, as it did on my first visit, and still
Later, standing in Magdala, a once-prosperous today. The Southern Temple Steps leading up Without a doubt, Israel is that one very distinct
fishing village and hometown of Mary to the site where the Holy Temples once stood, and unique place that has changed my life,
Magdalene, where assuredly, Jesus taught in the stairs seeming to be randomly structured, strengthened my faith, and deepened my
the still-standing 1st century synagogue, I am somewhat disproportionately misaligned in relationship with God.
struck by my connection to the women of the their height, breadth, and depth, remind me
Bible. Their strength, courage, resilience, and of the spiritual preparedness the people of How can faith be nurtured, be taught,
empowerment serve as a testament of their the time required as they approached the without having been to the places where the
faith, as it does to me as a Christian woman Holy Temple in presenting themselves before foundation of those teachings took place? For
in 2022. A visit to the area is not complete the Lord. The nearby Western Wall, the last a Christian, Israel is a place of strengthening, a
without touching the moment Jesus delivered retaining architectural structure of the platform place of inspiration, and certainly provides an
the Sermon on the Mount at the hillside at the on which the Temples stood, stunningly opportunity to spiritually renew our faith.
Mount of Beatitudes. I felt I was amongst Jesus’ provides a foundation on which thousands
devoted followers as I took my Bible and read upon thousands of visitors have placed their
the Beatitudes, in the very place He shared His prayers and petitions snuggly within the sacred
moral teaching. crevices of this holy wall.

Driving from the north up through the hills On my first trip to Israel, yes, I fell in love with the Jill Daly serves as the Midwest Director of the Israel
surrounding Jerusalem, hills that seem to serve biblical landscape and my connection to the Ministry of Tourism.