Holy Land

2006 was a memorable year for me because this was when I travelled to the Holy Land - Israel.

Dome of the Rock and the Jerusalem ancient walls

Jerusalem today

Notes from the Author. Modern day Israel may look different now, or the places look different from the way we have pictured them in our minds when we we read these places in the Bible as kids. A lot of the biblical sites have been transformed to beautiful churches to preserve the place and the relics (as over the years, people visiting these places have attempted to collect rocks, soil, and other artefacts either to sell or keep as souvenirs), so places like Golgotta where Jesus was nailed on the cross looks nothing I imagined.

If you are planning of going on a holy land pilgrimage, it is much better to be in a tour-guided group as you would be travelling many miles to go to places where Jesus has been to. (And imagine while you travel on wheels, at the time of Jesus, he and his disciples travelled on foot or on a donkey.)

The historical sites in Israel are endless, but here are to name a few:

Some Biblical Spots You Don't Want to Miss (and some passages from the Bible relating to these places)

The Jordan river is where John the Baptist baptized people. At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a void came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." (Mark 1:9-11)

Synagogue, Capernaum, the fishing village where Simon Peter and Andrew lived. These ruins used to be the synagogue where Jesus preached. In Temple courts, he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables." (John 2:13-15)

Wailing Wall or Western Wall.  The Jews come here to pray, as well as Christians. On the wall crevices, you will find inserted prayers on paper placed by people who visited the area. After praying, one has to leave the wall stepping backwards while still facing the wall. To turn your back on the wall is a sign of disrespect to  King - Solomon. The Wailing wall is part of the Temple walls built by David and rebuilt by Solomon about 3000 years ago. The mountain, Mt. Moriah where the temple is located is believed to be the focal point of creation, and where the ark of the covenant was set upon. The present day Western Wall is the remnant of the western temple mount retaining walls.

Garden of Olives, Gethsemane . This is where Jesus prayed and wept before his arrest. Olive trees were believed to live for a long time or to never die, so it is possible that they have existed from Jesus' time. If only trees can talk. They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, " Sit here while I pray." He took Peter, James and John with him and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them, "Stay here and keep watch." (Mark 14:32-42)

Sea of Galilee (present day Lake Kinnereth). The sea of Galilee is actually a lake and it is significant on many accounts. During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost." they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." (Matthew 14:25-27)

Bethesda Ruins (Bethsaida). The square shaped structure built from rocks is the pool. This is the place where Jesus performed one of his miracles.  The Bethesda Pool or better known as Bethsaida is where most of the handicapped go to get healed.  It was said that angels would stir the pool, and the first to get it in receives healing. Then Jesus said to him, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk." At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked." (John 5:1-9)

A scenic picturesque of the Dead Sea The Dead Sea The Dead Sea may not have been mentioned as much in the Bible but it is relevant because of the Dead Sea scrolls which were discovered in a cave by an Arab shepherd. The Dead Sea scrolls contained writings by the "Essenes", a Jewish sect which lived a monastic life in the west side of the dead sea. Today, you will find tourists swimming and basking in the dead sea. People would sell the mud and salts from the Dead Sea because they say it has healing properties and is good for the skin. But the water is very salty, and could sting your eyes.

Bethlehem. Beautiful paintings re-enacting the nativity at the Nativity Church in Bethlehem. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:8-14)