The recent trip to Israel did not only bring live to the Word, it also helped me to understand God's heart on the Promised Holy Land and its Chosen People.

I had very little knowledge of the country of Israel and Jews before the trip. My knowledge was limited to the book of Exodus: how God led His Chosen People out of slavery from Egypt, Israeli's 40 year living in the desert, their rebellion to God and God's discipline on them. As to the contemporary Israel, I only knew the existence of the West Wall and Via Dolorosa. I did not know God's numerous promises on Israel and Jews. Neither did I know that I (as a Christian) am commanded to pray for Israel and Jews and why. Well, perhaps I should have known about these because the Bible says so. I just did not know but I was interested to find out more ...

Many thoughts came to my mind as I visited various places in Israel. Via Dolorosa (i.e., the Way of Suffering) was one of the places where I felt God's heart. It was path that Jesus walked on the way to his crucifixion.

Jesus was whipped and tortured and was severely injured. As he fell off three times on Via Dolorosa, his physical condition must have been extremely weak. As I followed Jesus' footsteps on Via Dolorosa, I felt His pain. I reached a point where the Bible tells us that some Jerusalem women were wailing for Jesus. Despite the severe pain that Jesus was suffering and the crucifixion which was put before Him, He did not look at Himself and His own problems. Instead, He consoled the women. He told the women not to cry for Him but to cry for themselves and their children. In the last hours of his earthly life, He still cared for Jerusalem and His people. I felt His steadfast and unconditional love for Jerusalem and His people. I also reflected upon myself. How many times my decision to care for others are conditional upon my personal circumstances, time and mood, etc.? Do I have a heart of Jesus to care for those whom He cares for?

Peggy
22 October 2008