by Linda Rae
Our week started in the small town of Sepphori an ancient site that is just a few minutes’ drive from Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus. One of the girls on our team touched the stone of the Cardo (the main market street) and was filled with emotion as she said, “Jesus could have walked here”. Our guide Yoni told us that this street was old – and we could see the ruts from the chariots that travelled this road. These give us a frame of reference that these stones have been around a long time.
As we explore the dig site for a while we discover beautiful mosaics, the crumbly stone walls give shape to streets and buildings, there’s a theatre and a market place. Although this is all amazing the thing that sticks in my mind is Jesus could have walked here.
Many have walked in this land. Israel is the backdrop for much of the Biblical narrative. As I have journeyed in this land I find I am continually filled with awe and wonder.
To stand on Mt. Nebo (in Jordan) and remember Moses filled with longing for a promise land he would never enter. To climb Mt. Carmel and imagine Elijah calling on God to send fire and burn the sacrifice. (1 Kings 18). To see how an olive tree, a stony field and a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee can bring a Jesus story to life.
My adventure has begun and I’m so excited to share it with you when I return.