REFLECTIONS

Where Jesus Walked

Recalling Reflections from April 29, 2012

With no lack of trepidation, I awaited our planned pilgrimage through the great nation God promised to Abraham. It was the destination of Moses and the Israelites they called the land of milk and honey; and it is the land where Jesus walked when He graced our world so long ago. There was such political unrest in the land we call Holy, it seemed natural to have safety concerns about traveling there. But political unrest has always had its presence in the nation Israel. Turmoil has existed there throughout its history. So to journey through the Holy Land without threat of danger would not be an accurate depiction of life there. And depiction of life in the place where Jesus walked is, after all, the very reason Christians go there.

Besides, without being there, I could only imagine what it would be like to walk the streets of the town where Jesus served his earthly father as a carpenters’ helper. I could only imagine the walk along the shores of the Sea of Galilee where he called Peter, James, and John to follow him; or to splash through the choppy waves of the sea that Jesus calmed, and to wade in the waters upon which Jesus had walked.

But the pilgrimage would supplant my imagination when we walked the fields where the shepherds saw the star and stood by the river where John the Baptist baptized our Savior, and descended the likely mountain where He delivered his most recognizable sermon. I felt sure I would feel his presence as never before when we walked the Emmaus Road where Jesus walked unrecognized with two believers. And I believed that feeling his presence would make any trials of the pilgrimage all worthwhile.

Still, I knew Jesus was with us right where we are. He told us that He will be with us always, so to feel his presence I need not leave the comforts and security of home to venture into the uncertainties of a land amid political unrest. I believed He would be with us when we walked where Jesus walked. I thought by being there I would feel closer to him, and that the peace from his nearness would overcome all trepidation.

And it did.

You are the light of the world,

Richard +www.reflectingthesavior.org

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