DOES JERUSALEM FEEL LIKE JESUS? by Bobbie Ann Cole

 

As husband Butch and I explore and live out our daily lives here in Jerusalem, I wondered how he, a lifelong Christian believer, felt about the city… I asked him, “Does Jerusalem feel like Jesus?” 

Here are his answers:

THE BIBLE COMES TO LIFE

“When I consider what the Bible says about Jesus’ life in Jerusalem and see in reality where he stayed and did his ministry, it gives me palpitations in my heart… just knowing Jesus has walked here and we are able to walk where he walked and the promise of his return to Jerusalem.”

MOUNT OF OLIVES

“Just looking around at the history makes you feel close. It can be very moving. For instance,  the video we made walking to church one shabbat evening in Mount of Olives Boulevard, looking at the Mount of Olives.

“I picture Jesus leaving earth, ascending, and then his return. He can see all the way down to the Dead Sea, like we can from the university. Knowing he will return there — with us— is… breathtaking.”

JERUSALEM TODAY

“You still see that there is sin and sickness and demon possession, now as it was then. But you do see him in the hearts of believers in God here.

“His influence is very, very, very strong. However, some Jews still don’t like him because he threatens their belief system. They have no faith in the Son: they don’t believe he is the Messiah and the Son of God. I think of what Jesus said in John 3:36:

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.

“In many ways it is still the same as it was in Jesus’ day: some believed who he was, and some didn’t.

“It’s so important to reach the Jews and pray that their eyes should open to the truth. There are many countries where people don’t believe in God today, but the Jews do believe in God. That’s what makes it so sad.

“You could probably count on two hands the number of Christian congregations here in Jerusalem, although some feel ritualistic, as if they are going through the motions: rituals rather than a relationship.

A PRIVILEGE

“Jesus isn’t physically walking here now. We are walking in his place, his hands and feet. It is a privilege to look at his world, as through his eyes: the culture, sights, smells, sounds, spices… much of it is still the same.

“Zachariah 14 and Revelation 19 make it very clear that this is where Jesus will be sitting on his throne for eternity, in the New Jerusalem.

“In this very place.

“I love it here.

“My prayer is to be able to look at the people, all of them, with the compassion he showed the world.”

BOBBIE

Butch's response to my question has made me consider how I feel about Jerusalem. And, naturally, I have to have the final word…

The Garden Tomb, presently shut, is where I feel the most connection to Jesus and the Gospels’ story in Jerusalem. It was a late discovery— nineteenth century. Israeli tour guides will tell you that the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is more likely to be the actual location of Jesus’ crucifixion and burial, because it has a much longer tradition.

However, the Garden Tomb is authentically a first century burial site. The garden around it, leafy and filled with birdsong, invites quiet meditation. And a chalk cliff face nearby, (just above an Arab bus station!) looks like a skull face.

I can put myself there, back in Jesus’ time.

 

 

Bobbie Ann Cole is a Christian writer, speaker and teacher with a Jewish background.

Check out her latest blogpost: MY CHRISTMAS DAY IN JERUSALEM  Request notifications of her posts in the sidebar to receive MY 5-MINUTE TESTIMONY: HOW I MET JESUS. It happened right here, in Jerusalem, nearly 17 years ago.

Coming up this month her FREE groups:

·        FAB CHOW (Historical and Biblical Fiction Christian Writers Online) – Thurs. 11/1 at 7 pm: exploring plans and resolutions for 2024

·        AHAVA PRAYER AND WORSHIP RETREAT – Sat. 20/1 at 1 pm – the current War

·        YESHUA GROUP ONLINE – Sat. 27/1 at 6 pm: Dead Sea Scroll Special

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