When Christians visit the Holy Land to “follow in the footsteps of Jesus,” it is to remember that the story of God’s relationship with humanity really happened, in a real place that still exists. Even now, we can find places of physical continuity with the biblical story: There are living olive trees in the garden of Gethsemane that are more than 2,000 years old and were there when Jesus was. Archaeological excavations have uncovered first-century streets where Jesus could have walked, and buildings he may have entered. Some may ask, If God is everywhere, why do these places matter? Perhaps because they are a tangible reminder of the promise of incarnation: Since God entered human history in this particular place, God is also present with us in the places we go.
Living in Jerusalem has given me a new appreciation for the role of holy places in our Christian faith – and not just because of what this place was 2,000 years ago. My faith has been profoundly changed and renewed because of what Israel/Palestine is today: a place where Jews, Christians and Muslims live in a land they call not just holy, but home.
This message is excerpted from the Bible study “Holy places” by Meghan Johnston Aelabouni in the September/October 2023 Gather magazine.
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