My second trip to Israel turned out to be better than I had expected. Judith and I first journey to Israel in March of 2000, the same week Pope John Paul was there and whose presence affected our itinerary more than once. I mean, who knew that one man could shut down the Mount of Olives? Anyway, because it was our first time in the Holy Land we were pretty much in awe of the place. However, three things made this trip even more memorable than the first trip.

First, we had perfect weather. It’s the dry season right now in Israel, and every day was sunny and warm. Second, we took a small group of just 15 people which made our experiences much more intimate and personal. Finally, our guide was amazing. Zvika is an Israeli who speaks five different languages, has vast experience and great knowledge of biblical history. He was also flexible and accommodating to any changes I made on the schedule.

I am hoping to take another group in two years and if you’re interested please contact our office at Faith Family Church, and we’ll put you on the list of those who’ve expressed a desire to go. Let me share three reasons why you should seriously consider making the trip.

1. You will enhance your knowledge of scripture.

Once you’ve experienced the Holy Land you will never read your Bible the same way again. As you read, you’ll be taken back to those places you visited and be better able to picture how the stories unfold in your mind. For example, visiting Caesarea Philippi at the foot of Mt. Hermon north of the Sea of Galilee you discover the temple of Pan. In Old Testament times detestable fertility rites were practiced there and the cave was believed to be the gate to the underworld. It was here that our Lord Jesus promised to build his church and that the gates of hell would not prevail against it. What an amazing thing to realize that when Jesus spoke those words he was challenging the powers of darkness at the very spot of their authority!

2. You will gain a new appreciation for the miracle that is Israel.

On our first full day in Israel Zvika donned a t-shirt with a chart listing more than twelve nations that have sought to destroy Israel. From ancient Egypt to the Soviet Union they all have one thing in common: they no longer exist. The relatively small strip of real estate known as Israel is one of the greatest miracles in history. A quote on the front of the shirt says, “The Jewish people, the smallest of nations but with a Friend in the highest of places! So…BE NICE!”

Touring Jerusalem is an amazing experience. You realize you’re at the crossroads of the world’s three greatest religions; Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. However, the Bible clearly states that God gave the land to Abraham and to his seed, his special seed Isaac. Coming to the “Wailing Wall” you see Jews praying for peace, for a temple, and for Messiah to come. That wall is a remnant of the Holy Temple destroyed in 70 A.D. by the Romans. It’s a precious place to the Jews who believe that one day Messiah will come and the temple will be rebuilt.

3. You will deepen your walk with Christ.

I invented a new word on this trip to Israel: “shrinification.” If there’s anything disappointing about the Holy Land, it’s the way religion has defiled so many sites with religious shrines and artifacts. For example, we stood in line for about two hours to see the place where Jesus was born in the Church of the Nativity. As I descended the steps to see the place where “tradition” says he was laid in the manger, I noticed people bowing before and touching a silver starburst on the floor that marks the spot. It was as if they were worshiping the site itself. In similar fashion, we saw people being baptized in the Jordan River as if it held some kind of spiritual benefit.

I don’t think I’m being overly sensitive or critical about this. I got the sense that these people were on some sort of pilgrimage to add to their good works to merit eternal life. Granted, it is really cool being in those “holy” places, but the places themselves have no spiritual benefit when it comes to our salvation. For me, it’s knowing what happened in those places and what those events mean in terms of God’s sovereign grace that make traveling to Israel so meaningful.

It is really cool being in those “holy” places, but the places themselves have no spiritual benefit when it comes to our salvation.

What a joy it was to gather at the Garden Tomb and share communion with our group. It wasn’t where we were, but rather what took place there some 2,000 years ago and what the resurrection means for all of us that made the experience special.