“After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice.”

‭‭John‬ ‭10:4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Our group of 12 pilgrims, plus me, landed around 10am local time in Tel Aviv this morming. The flight was long and we are exhausted. But we are also excited and feeling blessed. 

We bargain the day with a “right here” moment at the Pilot stone. We read the story of Cornelius in Acts – on of the first gentile converses to Christianity – a story that took place in Caesarea Maratima. The place we were standing as we read the Scriptures. 

We recognized the Pilate stone and how the carving on this stone (a dedication of a building to Tiberius, by Pontious Pilate, Prefect of Judea), legitmized the gospel accounts of Jesus’ trial. We know Pilate existed and was, indeed, prefect of Judea because of this stone. 

We travelled to Mount Carmel and looked out at the view – seeing Nazareth and Sephorus in the distance. And then we took the long bus ride to Ein Gev, a Kibbutz on the shores of the Sea of Galilee where we will stay for the next few days as we tour. 

Everywhere we go, we are bumping up against the life and times of Jesus. And it is simply the most powerful thing a follower of Jesus can do for their faith. 

We journey in the footsteps of Jesus during Lent – whether we are in our home towns, or abroad on a pilgrimage. May Jesus continue to give each of us joy in the journey. 

Above: Our pilgrims begin our journey- with joy. 

Below: The Sea of Galilee at Ein Gev Kibbutz as the sun sets.