I haven’t spoken much about our trip to Israel we took last year. I wanted to at least share with you my favorite site and why today! So come with me to Mt. Beatitudes!
As we stepped out of the tour bus and started making our way out of the parking lot, in this distance I saw beautiful buildings and lots of vegetation. The path to the Mt. Beatitudes church was lined with beautiful vibrant plants and flowers. In certain areas on the ground were mosaic tiles.
There were all sorts of tropical looking plants including one of my favorites-palm trees! It was a literal oasis everywhere we turned. The church (see above) had beautiful architecture inside and out. There were people everywhere talking, exploring, worshipping, and praying.
After we had gone through the church, we went outside behind it. As we made our way to the site where Jesus spoke, the air was filled with birds chirping and singning. There was even more vegetation lining the paths behind the church.
We stopped along the fence several yards away from a group of people. I could hear them worshipping in another language in the distance. I was nearly moved to tears hearing one woman crying out to God in her language.
Our tour guide explained that Jesus delivered the Beatitudes speech to a large crowd nearby where we were standing. We were actually facing where they believe this whole thing took place. We were on top of the mountainside looking down where the people might have stood 2,000 years ago.
It was so fascinating to hear our tour guide explain that the mountainside had a natural amphitheater sound affect. In fact, they believe we were near the spot where Jesus spoke because they tested and found that you can hear someone speak from far down all sides from that location.
Our Pastor asked us to get alone and read the Beatitudes in our Bible. Garrett and I read silently to ourselves on his phone using the Bible app. Below is the picture of us facing the mountainside behind the fence. You can even see the Sea of Galilee in the distance.
This photo above was snapped of us in that moment. It’s my favorite picture from the trip! As we were reading Matthew 5-7, a realization hit me that Jesus actually spoke the words reading right there to a crowd of people just like us seeking the truth.
As the words we read sank in, my emotions caught up with this revelation and tears filled my eyes. I began to sob. The tour guide rounded us up and thank God for the long walk to the bus so I could compose myself!
The Mt. of Beatitudes experience showed me how real God was. His presence hit me so strongly at this specific place for whatever reason. It was so incredible to read the words Jesus spoke at this location 2,000 years ago.
At nearly every major Biblical site there were magnificent churches. Interestingly enough, I noticed that I actually felt God’s presence more outside of the church in nature (like the picture above). I know God wants us to gather with other believers in church but I feel like sometimes we can experience more in our alone and quiet time with Him.
Israel was a bucket list type of adventure without a doubt. But, I want you to know that you can experience God’s revelation and presence no matter where you are. I believed before traveling to Israel and I believe after. It didn’t change that for me.
I can’t ever read the Bible the same after seeing Israel. All the evidence and artifacts found and that I witnessed not to mention His presence, made the Bible that much more alive and real to me.
If you want to get know God for the first time or more intimately than ever before, all you have to do is ask Him. He will reveal Himself to you if you seek Him with all your heart. No matter where you are, God can meet you.
I encourage you to imagine yourself on the side of that mountain area surrounded by an oasis of trees and flowers. Read Matthew chapters 5-7 starting here and let the truth wash over you like it did for me. Let God reveal the reality of His presence to you through Jesus’ words on this mountain side.
Stat hopeful!
