This is the site early Christians venerated in the story of the Good Samaritan. It was proposed in the early Christian centuries as a place to commemorate this event and strengthen the faith of believers. Today, this place is called the Inn of the Good Samaritan. It has a museum with many mosaics and artifacts from other synagogues and discoveries. Inn of the Good Samaritan & Museum Photo Gallery Places of Interest Inn of the Good Samaritan Location 1. The Inn of the Good Samaritan is located about 8.5 miles (13.5 km.) east of Jerusalem on Hwy. 1 and about 6.5 (10.5 km.) west of Jericho. 2. The Inn is about halfway between Jerusalem and Jericho on an ancient road that linked traffic from the Jordan Valley to Jerusalem and the coastal towns of the Mediterranean Ocean. 3. The famous story of the Good Samaritan took place on this road. Historical Background 1. Interestingly, Jesus used real places and people in the story of the Good Samaritan, i.e., road, Jerusalem, Jericho, robbers, Samaritans, priests, Levites, and the Inn. Therefore, the possibility exists that the story was actually a real event that had happened. 2. The ancient road connecting the Jordan Valley to Jerusalem and beyond had an elevation difference of 3,400 ft. (1,036 m.). Jericho is at 800 ft. (244 m.) below sea level, and Jerusalem is at 2,600 ft. (792 m.) above sea level. 3. It was a dangerous road that was desolate in steep, curvy places with crooks, crannies, and caves where bandits and robbers could hide and get away easily in the desert. It also lacked police protection in many places. 4. It was about 15 miles (24 km.) between Jerusalem and Jericho. 5. Around 12,000 priests and Levites lived in Jericho who used this road whenever they were summoned to serve in the temple in Jerusalem. 6. The rocky desert terrain around the Inn of the Good Samaritan was notorious for robbers. The local name for the area is Ma‘ale Adummim, which means red rocks. It’s believed the name was derived from the limestone stained red by iron oxide, but it’s also believed its name is due to the amount of blood that was spilled here by bandits and robbers. 7. Jesus and His disciples would have used this road repeatedly as they traveled between Jerusalem and Jericho. 8. The Inn of the Good Samaritan Although it’s not certain that the inn Jesus mentioned in the story of the Good Samaritan was a real place, a site was proposed in the early Christian centuries as a place to commemorate this event. Today, it’s called the Inn of the Good Samaritan. The site was inhabited in the Hellenistic and Roman periods, and remains from the 1st century BC to the 1st century AD were discovered during the excavations of the Inn. In the 6th century, a Byzantine church and monastery with pilgrim accommodations were erected on the site of what was probably some sort of travelers’ hostel well before the time of Jesus. Later, the Crusaders built a fortress on a nearby hill to protect pilgrims against robbers. The remains of the monastery later became an Ottoman Inn. In the 1800s, the Ottomans built a rectangular structure over the ruins of the southern wall of the Crusader Fortress. The current museum at this site was opened in 2009. Places of Interest 1. Byzantine Church 2. Museum (has many mosaics and artifacts from around Israel) 3. Cave 1, 2 4. Crusader Fortress 5. Hwy. 1 6. Jericho 7. Jerusalem 8. Ancient Road from Jericho to Jerusalem 9. Wadi Qelt The Story of the Good Samaritan in the Bible 1. A lawyer (student of Scripture) tested Jesus regarding what a person had to do to receive eternal life. Luke 10:25-28: And a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind [Deut. 6:5]; and your neighbor as yourself [Lev. 19:18].” 2. Attempting to justify himself, the lawyer asked a follow-up question about what the term “neighbor” meant. Luke 10:29: And He said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.” But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 3. To illustrate who our neighbor is, Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan. Luke 10:30-34: Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead. And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise, a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. The priests were the spiritual leaders and oversaw the temple. The Levites were servants in the temple. Samaritans were unfaithful Jews who intermarried with foreign unbelievers and established their own religion. The Samaritans were despised and rejected by the Jews and considered unclean. The Samaritans, likewise, despised the Jews and had few dealings with them. Any traveler from Samaria would have been regarded as an alien in Judea. Luke 10:35-37: On the next day, he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return, I will repay you.’ Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?” And he said, “The one who showed mercy toward him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same .” A denarius was about a day’s wage. Today, it would be around $200 dollars for an average worker. The Samaritan gave the innkeeper two denarii for a total of $400 dollars. The Good Samaritan was willing to spend even more money on the hurt man, meaning that what he had already given was just a start. Faith Lesson from the Good Samaritan 1. Our neighbor is anyone with a genuine need whom we find in our path. 2. The wounded man the Samaritan helped was not a family member, a friend, or an acquaintance; he was a total stranger. 3. The Samaritan spent a large sum of money to help heal the wounded man with no expectation or guarantee of being repaid. 4. It’s not what we see but what we do that makes us a neighbor. 5. Jesus emphasized that it’s not just what we believe that matters, but what we do that shows we are truly saved. 6. While we should help the wounded with physical needs, we should also help the wounded with their spiritual needs as well. The greatest need everyone has is salvation. Do we share our faith and give the greatest gift possible to those in need spiritually? 7. We should keep in mind that not every want or need others might have is legitimate. 8. God doesn’t want us to reward wrong motives and laziness. 2 Thessalonians 3:10-11: For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat , either. For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all , but acting like busybodies.

Google interactive maps, video maps, printable maps, books, models, writings, teachings, and other maps and resources about the Holy Land. Jerusalem, Sea of Galilee, Negev, Dead Sea, Nazareth, Capernaum, Masada. Maps of the Biblical Sites Maps for Purchase Map of Israel Map of Jerusalem Satellite Poster of Israel In the Footsteps of Jesus Map Sea of Galilee Booklet & Map Via Dolorosa Booklet & Map Posters & Maps in General Maps for Viewing Map of the Holy Land During the Time of Christ Website with Many Maps of the Holy Land and Surrounding Areas Map of Abraham's Journey to the Holy Land Map of the Travel Locations of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph Travels of Moses and the Children of Israel Location of the 12 Tribes of Israel in the Holy Land Harmony of the 4 Gospels (Chronological timeline of events of the Life of Jesus) Biblical Sites for Christian Visitors Booklet Great Website for photos and info on the Holy Land

The New Testament mentions Bethphage as the place from which Jesus sent his disciples to find a colt on which he would ride into Jerusalem. It is located between Bethany and the top of the Mount of Olives. Bethphage Photo Gallery Places of Interest Bethphage Location 1. Bethphage is about 1 mile (2 km.) from the modern village of al-Azariya. 2. It's located on the southern part of the Mount of Olives between Bethany and Jerusalem. 3. Eusebius (Jewish Historian from around 300 AD) located it on the Mount of Olives. 4. It was likely on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho. 5. It was within the limit of a Sabbath-day's journey from Jerusalem, (2,000 cubits, 900 yards or meters). Historical Background 1. Bethphage means "House of Unripe Figs." This is fitting as it was in this area that Jesus caused a fig tree with no fruit to wither (Matt. 21:18-22). 2. Today, a Franciscan Church marks the spot where it's believed the disciples of Jesus got the donkey upon which Jesus would use for riding into Jerusalem in what is known as the "Triumphal Entry," which took place on the Sunday before His crucifixion (Palm Sunday). 3. The modern church, built in 1883, rests on the foundations of a 12th-century Crusader Chapel located in the ancient village of Bethphage. 4. It was built beside the steep road that descends from the Mount of Olives eastwards towards the village of el-Azariyeh (ancient Bethany). 5. The Crusader-era Chapel was built on the foundations of a 4th-century Byzantine shrine commemorating the meeting between Lazarus' sister Martha and Jesus. 6. In 1867, during the construction of a Franciscan monastery on the grounds, a cube-shaped stone covered in plaster was discovered. This stone, now called the Stele of Bethphage, was an integral part of the 12th-century Crusader Chapel and now lies near the northern wall of the church. 7. The Crusaders decorated the stone and inscribed it in Latin, as well as described biblical events that occurred in the areas of Jerusalem and Bethphage. 8. In 1950, the decorations on the stone were restored, and five years later, in 1955, frescos were drawn on the walls and ceiling of the sanctuary. Today, as in the 12th century, pilgrims hold a Palm Sunday procession that begins at the Bethphage Church. 9. Inside the Franciscan Church of Bethphage Above the altar in the church is a mural of Jesus riding the donkey and being glorified by the crowd who accompanied Him. On display in the church, protected by a wrought iron grille, is a large square rock that the Crusaders regarded as the rock upon which Jesus used to mount the donkey. On the sides of the rock are medieval paintings, restored in 1950. These depict the disciples getting the donkey, people holding palm branches, the resurrection of Lazarus at nearby Bethany, and the inscription “Bethphage.” Foundations from the Crusader Chapel can easily be seen near the floor of the apse. Behind the altar is a fresco depicting Jesus riding a donkey to the Temple, accompanied by his disciples. The church ceiling features drawings of flowers and leaves. The wall frescos, colored in shades of brown, portray people from the New Testament era preparing for the procession. On one wall, a group of rabbis holds a scroll that contains the second part of the verse from (John 12:19). The words written in Latin around the windows are those that the people used to say about Jesus during the procession into the city. The main focus of the church is the Stele of Bethphage, which is set apart by wrought iron railings. There is a mirror behind the stone so that visitors can easily see the drawings on all four sides. The drawings depict the meeting between Jesus and Martha; two disciples bringing Jesus an ass and a colt, Lazarus rising from the dead, and on the side facing the altar, a drawing of a crowd of people holding palms. 10. Just up the hill is a Greek Orthodox church whose courtyard offers a view and a place for reflection. Places of Interest 1. Bethany 2. Mount of Olives 3. Triumphal Entry Path 4. Dominus Flevit Church (where Jesus wept over Jerusalem) 5. Jerusalem 6. Garden of Gethsemane 7. Temple Mount 8. Kidron Valley Bethphege in the Bible Bethphage is mentioned in the New Testament as the place in ancient Israel where Jesus sent his disciples to find a colt upon which he would ride into Jerusalem. The Synoptic Gospels mention it as being close to Bethany, where he stayed immediately before his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. 1. Jesus sends two of His disciples to get an untamed donkey. Matthew 21:1-3: Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage , to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” 2. This donkey had a colt, upon which no one had ever ridden. Mark 11:1-2: Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples 2 and said to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat . Untie it and bring it. This was a miracle because untamed donkeys will buck, run, and do whatever they can to dismount their rider. 3. Jesus riding a donkey fulfilled Old Testament prophecies (Is. 62:11; Zch. 9:9). Matthew 21:4-5: This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet , saying, 5 “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’” 4. Triumphal Entry Matthew 21:6-11: The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.” 5. During the Triumphal Entry, Jesus pauses and weeps over Jerusalem. The Church of Dominus Flevit marks this spot today. Luke 19:41: And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it , 42 saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side 44 and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.” 6. Jesus Cleanses the Temple Matthew 21:12-13: And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 13 He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.” 7. The people marvel at Christ's miracles and teachings. Matthew 21:14-16: And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them . 15 But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did , and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant, 16 and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, “‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise’?” 8. Jesus curses a fig tree and teaches about prayer. Matthew 21:18-22: In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry. 19 And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once . 20 When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” 21 And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt , you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. 22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” Faith Lesson 1. Jesus embedded in the lives of His disciples that He was God. Do we believe in the deity of Christ and that He was God in the flesh? 2. Throughout Jesus's life, we see He constantly fulfilled many Old Testament prophecies, which proves that He was divine and authentic. Do we believe Jesus was divine and who He claimed to be? 3. Jesus taught a powerful lesson about faith and prayer. Do we pray and believe God can help us?

See all the key sites in Old City Jerusalem in this in-depth walking tour. Jerusalem Old City Walking Tour Photo Gallery Places of Interest Jerusalem Old City Tour Please refer to the Google Map above to view all the sites on this tour. Location 1. Jerusalem is in central Israel, about 33 miles (53 km) east of Tel Aviv and the Mediterranean Sea. 2. It’s situated at an altitude of 2,600 ft. (800 m.) above sea level and is one of the highest cities in Israel. 3. It’s located on a well-protected mountain, making it hard for enemy forces to capture it. 4. Jerusalem rests primarily upon bedrock, so everything was well preserved. 5. Jerusalem is the Old Testament Mount Moriah. Historical Background 1. Jerusalem means “City of Peace.” 2. It’s mentioned over 500 times in the Bible. 3. It’s first mentioned as the city in which King Melchizedek, King of Salem (Jerusalem) lived (Gen. 14:17). Melchizedek was a figure of Christ as he had neither beginning of days nor end of life. Hebrews 7:1: For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace. 4. Jerusalem is the special dwelling place of God on this earth. Psalms 76:2: His tent is in Salem, his dwelling place in Zion . Psalm 135:21: Praise be to the LORD from Zion, to him who dwells in Jerusalem. Praise the LORD. Old City Jerusalem Tour Sites of Interest Please refer to the Google Map above to view all the sites on this tour. 1. Outside Jaffa Gate - Start of Walking Tour 2. Jaffa Gate 3. Tower of David 4. David Street Leading to Temple Mount & Western Wall 5. Rooftop Walk Entrance 6. Cardo Maximus 7. Cardo Ruins 1 8. Cardo Ruins 2 9. Cardo Ruins 3 10. Hurva Synagogue Plaza 11. Menorah 12. Hezekiah's Broad Wall 13. Cardo Minor Ruins 14. Southern Stairs Archaeological Site 15. Western Wall Excavations 16. Temple Mount Entrance 17. Western Wall 18. Western Wall Synagogue 19. Little Western Wall 20. Lions' Gate 21. Arab Temple Mount Access 22. Pools of Bethesda - Church of St. Anne 23. Station 1 Via Dolorosa 24. Station 1 Via Dolorosa (second # 1) 25. Station 2 Via Dolorosa 26. Convent of the Sisters of Zion - Underneath Antonia Fortress 27. Ecce Homo Arch 28. Stones from Street During Christ's Time 29. Station 3 Via Dolorosa 30. Station 4 Via Dolorosa 31. Station 5 Via Dolorosa 32. Station 6 Via Dolorosa 33. Old City Wall During Christ's Time 34. Station 7 Via Dolorosa 35. Station 8 Via Dolorosa 36. Station 9 Via Dolorosa 37. Stations 10-14 Via Dolorosa - Church of the Holy Sepulchre 38. Hadrian Plaza 39. Church of John the Baptist 40. Back to David Street 41. Jaffa Gate Plaza - End of Tour Faith Lesson from Jerusalem 1. Jerusalem has played a key role as the center of God’s dwelling place and ministry on this earth. 2. It will be the place Christ returns to in power and great glory at the end of the Great Tribulation Period. Believers will return with Him at this event. Will you be coming with him in glory or be judged by Him when He comes? 3. Christ will reign over all the earth in Jerusalem during the Millennial Reign. Will you be among those who reign with Him? 4. God will create a New Jerusalem, His new eternal dwelling place on the new earth. Those who follow Christ will have the privilege of living in or visiting this new city forever. Are you saved, and will you be in heaven, where the New Jerusalem will be?

See all the outstanding major holy sites (over 55) in Israel, the Holy Land in 4K and with a Drone. Amazing, clear footage with a biblical overview of each site. See amazing and interesting facts about Israel, the Holy Land. Videos, maps, books, talks, archaeology, Bible teachings, history, walls, gates, people, and language of the people and places in Israel. Jerusalem, Sea of Galilee, Dead Sea, Masada, Negev, Nazareth, Bethlehem, Hebron, Shechem, Samaria, Jordan River, Beersheba, and more. Israel Overview Tour of All Biblical Sites Israel – God’s Chosen Land Israel . . . Land of the Bible . . . Land of Faith . . . the Holy Land, revered throughout recorded history as the cradle of monotheistic religion. For a person of faith whose beliefs are rooted in the Bible, there is no place on earth like the Holy Land. In this narrow strip of land lies the source of religious belief of much of mankind. Here, amongst the barren hills and fertile plains, man’s spirit learned to soar and from here a new message went out to all the world: “. . . and many peoples shall come, and say, “Come, let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord, to the House of the God of Jacob; that He may teach us His ways and that we may walk in His paths. For out of Zion (Hill next to Jerusalem) will go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:3,4). The unique factor about the Holy Land is its special location in the World. Situated as it is, straddling the divide between Africa and Asia, the area has almost always been a battleground. Wave after wave of conquerors poured into it, anxious to control the strategic trade routes linking the centers of the ancient world. It’s not by accident that it’s virtually in the center of the world. In God’s master plan of creation, He decided to place Israel exactly in the center of His creation. Located on a tiny land bridge between Africa and Asia, there is no other way to get between the two of them except through Israel. It’s located on the crossroads of the world. Whoever wanted to trade between the two continents, or control the known world, had to conquer and control Israel. For this reason, there have been more wars and events that have taken place in Israel than any other country on earth. God positioned Israel in its unique location in order to influence the world and be on “Center Stage” so all of creation would know that He alone is God. For nearly 2,000 years, Christian visitors from all over the world have come to the Holy Land, the land of their spiritual heritage. With Bible in hand, they have walked the places Jesus walked and prayed in the places He preached and prayed. For Christians, Israel is a place like no other. It provides them a one of a kind opportunity to experience the land of the Bible, to deepen their faith, and to be spiritually transformed for a lifetime.

Kadesh Barnea marks one of the most tragic moments in Israel's history. After witnessing countless miracles on a grand scale, the Israelites doubt God's power and are condemned to wandering in the wilderness for forty years as a result. Kadesh Barnea Photo Gallery Places of Interest Kadesh Barnea Location 1. Kadesh Barnea is located on the southern border area between Israel and Egypt. 2. It’s about 31 miles (51 km.) east of the Mediterranean Ocean and about 33 miles (53 km.) southwest of Beer Sheba. 3. Kadesh Barnea was the original place where God intended the Israelites to enter the Promised Land. 4. Today, a community lives at Kadesh Barnea, and the town retains its same name. Historical Background 1. At Kadesh Barnea, one of the most tragic events in Israel’s history happened. 2. It’s here they rebelled against God’s plan for them to enter the Promised Land. As a result, they were severely judged for their lack of faith and condemned to wander in the wilderness 40 years until those 20 years, and older, died. 3. The Israelites had seen many spectacular miracles. They saw 10 supernatural plagues God sent upon the Egyptians. They witnessed the first Passover wherein God spared the Israelites as they put blood from a lamb around the doors of their dwellings. They saw God open the hearts of the Egyptians so that they gave them many possessions. They experienced supernatural help to cross the Sinai Peninsula on eagle’s wings to reach the Aqaba finger of the Red Sea. They beheld a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to guide and protect them. They experienced the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea (10.5 miles wide, 17 km.) in which they were approximately 2,500 ft. (762 m.) under sea level in the midst of the depths and mighty waters of the sea (Isa. 51:10). They saw God supernaturally provide water out of a rock at Rephidim. God helped the Israelites supernaturally defeat the Amalekites as Aaron and Hur held up the arms of Moses. They stood in fear and trembling as God sent fire and smoke upon Mt. Sinai when he gave them the Ten Commandments written on stone by His own finger. They received supernatural provisions of Manna and quail in the desert. 4. The Israelites had been bathed in miracles for well over a year from the time they left Egypt until the time they reached Kadesh Barnea. 5. They had seen enough miracles to be able to trust God for anything. 6. However, despite all the miracles they had witnessed, they viewed God as too weak to help them enter the Promised Land and rebelled against Him. Places of Interest 1. Kadesh Barnea 2. Egypt 3. Sinai Peninsula 4. Aqaba Finger of the Red Sea crossing 5. Rephidim 6. Mt. Sinai 7. Israel Kadesh Barnea in the Bible 1. Twelve spies were sent into the Promised Land from Kadesh Barnea to give a report. Numbers 13:1–3: Then the Lord spoke to Moses saying, 2 “Send out for yourself men so that they may spy out the land of Canaan, which I am going to give to the sons of Israel; you shall send a man from each of their fathers’ tribes, every one a leader among them.” 3 So Moses sent them from the wilderness of Paran at the command of the Lord, all of them men who were heads of the sons of Israel. 2. Ten Spies gave a report of the difficulty in possessing the land. Numbers 13:25–29: When they returned from spying out the land , at the end of forty days, 26 they proceeded to come to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation of the sons of Israel in the wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh ; and they brought back word to them and to all the congregation and showed them the fruit of the land. 27 Thus, they told him, and said, “We went in to the land where you sent us; and it certainly does flow with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. 28 Nevertheless, the people who live in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large; and moreover, we saw the descendants of Anak there. 29 Amalek is living in the land of the Negev and the Hittites and the Jebusites and the Amorites are living in the hill country, and the Canaanites are living by the sea and by the side of the Jordan.” 3. Two spies (Joshua and Caleb) give a report of faith. Caleb is the spokesman. Numbers 13:30: Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we will surely overcome it.” 4. The 10 spies convince the people that they are unable to possess the land. Numbers 13:31–33: But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are too strong for us .” 32 So they gave out to the sons of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone, in spying it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants; and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great size. 33 There also we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak are part of the Nephilim); and we became like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.” 5. The Israelites rebel against God and decide to return to Egypt as slaves again. Numbers 14:1–4: Then all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night. 2 All the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron; and the whole congregation said to them, “Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness! 3 Why is the Lord bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become plunder; would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?” 4 So they said to one another, “Let us appoint a leader and return to Egypt .” 6. Moses, Aaron, Joshua, and Caleb plead with the people not to rebel against God’s will for them. Numbers 14:5–10: Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces in the presence of all the assembly of the congregation of the sons of Israel. 6 Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, of those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes; 7 and they spoke to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, saying, “The land which we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. 8 If the Lord is pleased with us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us—a land which flows with milk and honey. 9 Only do not rebel against the Lord; and do not fear the people of the land, for they will be our prey. Their protection has been removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them.” 10 But all the congregation said to stone them with stones. Then the glory of the Lord appeared in the tent of meeting to all the sons of Israel. 7. God threatens to destroy the Israelites and make a great nation out of Moses’ offspring. Numbers 14:11–12: The Lord said to Moses, “How long will this people spurn Me? And how long will they not believe in Me, despite all the signs which I have performed in their midst? 12 I will smite them with pestilence and dispossess them, and I will make you into a nation greater and mightier than they.” 8. Moses prays on behalf of the people (Num. 14:13–19). 9. God forgives the Israelites but still judges them. Numbers 14:20–38: So the Lord said, “I have pardoned them according to your word ; 21 but indeed, as I live, all the earth will be filled with the glory of the Lord. 22 Surely all the men who have seen My glory and My signs which I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, yet have put Me to the test these ten times and have not listened to My voice, 23 shall by no means see the land which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who spurned Me see it. 24 But My servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it. 25 Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites live in the valleys; turn tomorrow and set out to the wilderness by the way of the Red Sea.” 26 The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, 27 “How long shall I bear with this evil congregation who are grumbling against Me? I have heard the complaints of the sons of Israel, which they are making against Me. 28 Say to them, ‘As I live,’ says the Lord, ‘just as you have spoken in My hearing, so I will surely do to you; 29 your corpses will fall in this wilderness, even all your numbered men, according to your complete number from twenty years old and upward, who have grumbled against Me. 30 Surely you shall not come into the land in which I swore to settle you, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun. 31 Your children, however, whom you said would become a prey—I will bring them in, and they will know the land which you have rejected. 32 But as for you, your corpses will fall in this wilderness. 33 Your sons shall be shepherds for forty years in the wilderness, and they will suffer for your unfaithfulness, until your corpses lie in the wilderness. 34 According to the number of days which you spied out the land, forty days, for every day you shall bear your guilt a year, even forty years, and you will know My opposition. 35 I, the Lord, have spoken, surely this I will do to all this evil congregation who are gathered together against Me. In this wilderness they shall be destroyed, and there they will die.’” 36 As for the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land and who returned and made all the congregation grumble against him by bringing out a bad report concerning the land, 37 even those men who brought out the very bad report of the land died by a plague before the Lord. 38 But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive out of those men who went to spy out the land. Faith Lesson from Kadesh Barnea 1. The reality of the judgment of God is sobering. God forgave the Israelites, but He did not remove the consequences of their disobedience. We frequently find this in Scripture, i.e., Moses striking the rock and David and his sin with Bathsheba. 2. There were approximately 1.2 million Israelites 20 years old and above who died in the desert over a 40-year period. This means there were 30,000 funerals per year, 82 funerals a day, and 7 funerals an hour. 3. God has written these examples in the Bible for our instruction today. Romans 15:4: For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction , so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 1 Corinthians 10:1–13: For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and all ate the same spiritual food; and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness. Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and stood up to play.” Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day. Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents. Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come . Therefore, let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. 4. Do I grumble and complain about God’s provision, trials, or difficulties He has sent my way? 5. Do I have faith that God can help me in whatever He has called me to do and be?

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is believed to be the place where Christ was crucified, buried, and rose from the dead. Take an in-depth tour of all the places inside the church. Church of the Holy Sepulchre In-depth Tour Photo Gallery Places of Interest Church of the Holy Sepulchre Introduction Welcome to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Sepulchre means tomb. It is the final destination of the Via Dolorosa path, and the last five stations are situated there. 1. The amount of evidence supporting this place as Golgotha, the place Jesus was crucified, buried, and rose from the dead, is overwhelming. We could share it for hours. There are 2,000 years of archaeological evidence, including a temple, churches, buildings, and coins, that support it. Four ancient historians claim that this site became a holy shrine venerating Jesus after He rose from the dead, up to 135 AD, one of whom is the famous Jewish historian Josephus. There are six eyewitness historians from 160 to 450 AD, who place Gologtha under or in the vicinity of Hadrian’s Temple to Venus. Among these are Origen of Alexandria, Jerome, and Eusebius, highly reliable sources. All archaeologists support this site as the location of Golgotha. 2. It was located outside the city walls of Jerusalem when Jesus was crucified. 3. Because of its 2,000-year history, it's hard to picture how it was in its natural state. We will provide images to help you understand how it would have been. 4 . The place of crucifixion and the tomb of Jesus are not far apart in the church. This is biblical: John 19:41 42: Now in the place where he was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 5. There are over 35 significant places to see inside this church. They all testify to the events of Jesus and what happened here. 6. Some people have a problem with the atmosphere of the church. However, what would we expect from a place that has been venerated for around 2,000 years by different cultures and time periods? 7. We are fully convinced this is the place. 8. Another site known as the Garden Tomb was proposed as an alternative site in 1850 AD. God bless the Garden Tomb, but it lacks historical support. Additionally, the tomb there is an Old Testament tomb dating to around 700 BC. No archaeologists support it as Golgotha. 10. Let's explore and experience this site, realizing it is the very place where Jesus was crucified, buried, and rose from the dead. Brief History There was a road that passed by a stone quarry, serving as a route for travelers entering and leaving Jerusalem. Because the quarry had fallen out of use many years before Christ, it gradually developed into a garden, with a nearby cistern and pool of water. Some of the rock was left, and the Romans crucified people upon it. This rock can be seen in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre today. 33-135 AD: It was venerated in its natural state. 135 AD: Roman Emperor Hadrian erected a statue of the Roman god Jupiter (Zeus) over the tomb of Jesus, and a statue of Venus (Aphrodite) over the site of His crucifixion. 326 AD: Roman Emperor Constantine destroyed the temple that Hadrian had built and erected the Church of the Holy Sepulchre over the site of Golgotha. 614 AD: Persians severely damaged Constantine's church. 1009 AD: Muslims from Egypt destroyed the church. 1112 AD: Crusaders rebuilt the church. What we see today of the church primarily dates back to the Crusader period. 1808 AD: Church renovated. All this history can still be seen in the church today. Today, we refer to this church as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The word Sepulchre means tomb, and a tomb is where you put someone who has died. But when Constantine built the first church here, Christians didn’t focus on the death of Jesus. They focused on His resurrection, so during the Byzantine era, this entire room was called the Church of the Anastasis, not the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. In other words, it wasn’t the church of the tomb. It was the church of the resurrection. In-depth Tour of the Church 1. Window Ladder The so-called "Immovable Ladder" under the window of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, made of Lebanese cedar wood, was in place by 1728 and has remained there ever since the 1757 status quo was established, aside from being temporarily moved twice. There are about thirty chapels inside this church, and because there are six denominations who control them, there had to be some rules established that define who gets to do what inside. When the Status Quo went into effect it meant that whoever controlled certain rooms inside the church, would remain the custodian of that room from that point forward. The six churches that oversee the church are: Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, and Roman Catholic churches are the primary overseers. The Coptic Orthodox, Ethiopian Orthodox, and Syrian Orthodox churches have less oversight. 2. Chapels next to the plaza area. Front left (closest to the church) ~ Chapel of the Forty Martyrs. Middle left ~ Chapel of St. John Closest left ~ Chapel of St. James the Less Front right (closest to the church) ~ Access leading up to the Ethiopian Chapels and the roof of the church. Middle right ~ Chapel of St. James Closest right ~ Orthodox Monastery 3. The Chapel of the Franks ~ Via Dolorosa Station 10 The Franks were a collection of European tribes that became the dominant political power in Western Europe. They all converted to Catholicism, and it was the Franks who built this chapel. According to Christian tradition, it's where Jesus was stripped of his clothes before crucifixion. This would make sense as the Romans usually crucified people naked. It is located to the right of the church entrance. It can be seen behind glass panels by going up the stairs. In approximately 1125 AD, this doorway was installed to benefit both nighttime visitors and the poor, who could not afford the entrance fee that the Muslim landlords were charging for worship in the church. This place was formerly accessed from inside the church. Today, this door is closed, and the Chapel of the Franks can only be accessed from the courtyard of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. 4. The Blocked Door Looking at the church, one can see that the right door is blocked off. That happened in 1187 AD, shortly after the church was built. The Muslims, who were the custodians of the church at that time, tried to control who was entering to charge an admission fee. They couldn’t do this very well when there were two doors, so they limited the entrance to only one door – the door that went past the money table as people entered the church. 5. Entrance Door to the Church Immediately after the Islamic takeover in 637 AD, the Muslim Caliph Omar appointed the Muslim Nusseibeh family to open and close the church doors every day. After the Crusades, in around 1200 AD, the Islamic ruler, Saladin, retained the Nusseibeh family to open and close the doors. He also appointed the Muslim Joudeh family to keep the key to the church in their home. 6. Columns to the Left of the Door Since around 850 AD, the Greeks have celebrated a ritual called Holy Fire inside the church at noon on each Saturday before Easter. This is where the Orthodox priest enters the Holy Tomb, emerges with all his candles lit, and the fire he is holding is transferred from one person to the next. According to a Greek tradition, in the year 1579 AD, the Turkish soldiers in charge of the church did not allow any visitors to enter for the annual Holy Fire ritual. According to the legend, the Greek patriarch of Jerusalem, Sophronius IV, was standing outside in the courtyard praying. When the sky was dark, this stone column in the center split open (you can see the crack), and holy fire came out of this fissure. Sophronius then used this fire to light all of the candles in the courtyard. Seeing this miracle, the Turks then allowed all of the worshippers to enter the church, and the Holy Fire celebration has continued to be observed every year to this day. 7. Stairway Leading to Golgotha The place where Jesus was crucified was at the summit of a small hill. To ascend the hill of Golgotha today, you need to start at the entrance of the church, turn right, and climb up the 800-year-old stairs leading to Calvary (or Golgotha), the place where Jesus was crucified. 8. Chapel of the Nailing of the Cross ~ Via Dolorosa Station 11 This is where Jesus was nailed to the cross. It features a 12th-century mosaic of Jesus being nailed to the cross. Here you see Jesus after having been nailed to the cross. Mary is wearing black, indicating that she is in mourning. It seems that the other two people in this mosaic are entirely symbolic. The person bowing before Jesus represents the bride of Christ, the Church, adorned in a pure white robe. The man with the nails is not a soldier because he is dressed in ordinary clothing. The Abraham Mosaic depicts Abraham attempting to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. The sacrificial ram with its head caught in the thorns is related to the mosaic above the altar, where a crown of thorns surrounds the head of Jesus. Luke 23:33: When the soldiers came to the place called “The Skull,” they nailed Jesus to a cross . They also nailed the two criminals to crosses, one on each side of Jesus. 9. Rock of Calvary The rock of Calvary can be seen under a glass cover on either side of the main altar. Calvary is the Latin equivalent of the word Golgotha, which means “the place of the skull.” 10. Crucifixion Altar ~ Via Dolorosa Station 12 This is where Christ was crucified. In 393 AD, Jerome, who lived in Bethlehem and translated the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts into Latin, stated that the cross stood not just near this hill, but literally “on the hill” where the altar of Calvary is now located. This confirms that the place now venerated as the location of the cross is authentic. A silver disk, with a central hole, lies underneath the altar, marking the place where the Cross stood. On each side of the altar is the bedrock from the original site of Golgotha. Beneath the altar is a hole that permits people to touch the rock of Golgotha. John 19:18-19: There they crucified Him , and with Him two other men, one on either side, and Jesus in between. 19 Now Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It was written: “JESUS THE NAZARENE, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” Remarkably, the first words recorded from Jesus' mouth are "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). The Apostle John was the only apostle present at the crucifixion of Jesus. The rest of them were in hiding, probably in the Upper Room. John and Jesus’ mother, Mary, were both close enough to the cross to hear Jesus tell John, “Behold your mother” (John 19:27), and to His mother, Jesus said, “Behold your son” (John 19:26). 11. Shrine of Mary ~ Via Dolorosa Station 13 Between stations 11 and 12 of the Via Dolorosa is a shrine of Mary, the mother of Jesus, with a spear piercing her heart. This is also the believed place where the body of Jesus was taken down from the Cross. Luke 2:34-35: And Simeon blessed them and said to His mother Mary, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and as a sign to be opposed— 35 and a sword will pierce your own soul —to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” 12. Chapel of Adam It was initially called "The Church of Golgotha" but was changed to the "Chapel of Adam," due to the belief that Adam was buried here. This chapel enshrines a cracked slab of rock behind glass, which is believed to have been caused by the earthquake after Christ died on the Cross. The front of this chapel features an apse, indicating that a church was once located here, commemorating Golgotha and the crucifixion. Just outside the chapel, part of the original rock of Golgotha can also be seen. Matthew 27:50-53: And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and gave up His spirit. 51 And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split. 52 Also, the tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many. 13. Greek Orthodox Treasury It is located next to the Chapel of Adam on the ground floor of the Church, near the base of Calvary (Golgotha). It is typically closed to the public. It contains: A small piece of wood is believed to be from the True Cross of Jesus Christ. Skullcap of John the Baptist Right hand of Mary Magdalene Finger of the Apostle Andrew 14. T he Stone of Unction Located just after entering the church, it commemorates the preparation of Jesus' body for burial. The original Church of the Holy Sepulcher didn’t have a Stone of Unction. In fact, we don’t even know where Jesus’ body was anointed. Approximately 2000 years ago, Jesus was probably anointed on bare rock or topsoil, as this location was a garden at the time. The Crusaders were the first to place a marble slab here around 1125 AD, but it was destroyed in the 1808 fire. The slab that you see here is its replacement. It is almost exactly the same distance from the altar of Calvary as it is from the Tomb of Jesus, which is probably why the Crusaders put it in this spot. Behind the Stone is a mosaic depicting Christ's anointing for burial. Matthew 27:59-60: And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth , 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut out in the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the entrance of the tomb and went away. 15. Mosaic by the Stone of Unction Just above the Stone of Unction is a large mosaic showing a timeline of the events of the death, anointing, and burial of Jesus. The events in this mosaic are not only told in chronological order from right to left, but they are also in geographic order. 16. Mourning Place ~ Holy Women Monument An Armenian Shrine, also known as the Chapel of the Three Marys. It marks the place where they watched the crucifixion of Christ. John 19:25: Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 17. Altar of the Myrrh-Bearing Women Just to the right, before entering the rotunda, is an altar dedicated to the women who came to anoint Jesus’ body with spices and perfumes on Sunday morning, after He had already been resurrected. Matthew and Mark say that there were many women in this group, among whom were the three Marys – Mary, his mother, Mary Magdalene, and Mary, the wife of Clopas. In the Bible, we read about how these women watched Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea to see where Jesus was buried. They did this because Jesus was taken down from the cross hastily, and His body was not entirely prepared for burial. Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea had cleansed the body, but they hadn’t anointed it with spices and perfumes. That task was left to the women who watched Him being buried, to be completed on the Sunday morning after the Sabbath. 18. The Rotunda or Anastasis (the place of resurrection) For many years, the church was known as the Church of the Resurrection, rather than the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which translates to 'Church of the Holy Sepulchre', referring to the 'Church of the Holy Tomb'. The dome holds great significance. It has a hole in the center, and when the daytime sun is shining through, it symbolizes Jesus – the Light of the World. The 12 rays emanating from the skylight are symbolic of the multi-directional ministry of the 12 Apostles as they spread the Gospel's light throughout the world. There are 120 stars around the bottom of this dome. These stars symbolize the 120 people who were baptized in the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, when the church was born. The apostles, along with the 120 who were part of the early church, look down upon us today, hoping that we will carry out the mission of the church. 19. Tomb of Jesus ~ Via Dolorosa Station 14 Underneath the large dome of the church (Rotunda) is the Tomb of Jesus. It is housed in a large shrine referred to as an Edicule. All of human history revolves around what happened inside this little building 2000 years ago. This is the tomb of Jesus Christ – the place where He was buried, and where He rose from the dead. The word edicule is Latin for little house, and it’s generally used to describe a building that is constructed over tombs. There have been four Edicules that have covered the tomb of Jesus. When you go inside the tomb, you are only a few inches away from the place where Jesus was laid to rest, and where He rose from the dead three days later. The rotunda is not only the primary focus of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, but is the center of all Christianity. The stone that sealed the tomb is housed in the Church of Saint Savior on Mount Zion. It was originally Joseph’s tomb that he gave to Jesus. It was different than other tombs in that it was a bench-type tomb, where Jesus lay parallel to the wall. This type of tomb was more expensive to build because of the labor involved in carving out an entire room around the burial bench. In the first room of the tomb is a rock in a case on a table. It is believed to be part of the original stone that was rolled to seal the tomb. In the second room of the burial tomb is bedrock from the original tomb. To the right is the bench where the body of Jesus would have been laid. When you walk into the Edicule, you’re following in the footsteps of Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, the wealthy man who carved this tomb out of solid limestone. When you look into the tomb, you’ll be doing exactly what the Apostles Peter, John, and Mary Magdalene did when they looked into His empty tomb. When you walk out of the tomb, you will be following the same path as Jesus Himself, when He walked out into the early morning air on Easter Sunday. Matthew 27:57-60: Now when it was evening, a rich man from Arimathea came, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. 58 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. 59 And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut out in the rock ; and he rolled a large stone against the entrance of the tomb and went away. Matthew 28:5-6: The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who has been crucified. 6 He is not here, for He has risen , just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.” In 2016, an archaeological team was granted permission to lift the marble slate covering the tomb, and an older marble slab with a carved cross was discovered beneath it. Underneath it was the original limestone burial bed of Christ. 20. Coptic Chapel Around the back side of the Tomb of the Edicule is the small Chapel of the Coptic Church – the Orthodox Church of Egypt. Probably the most interesting aspect of this small chapel is what lies beneath the altar. Under it is an exposed portion of the original rock that surrounded the tomb of Jesus, which Joseph of Arimathea built. 21. Syrian Chapel ~ First Century Tombs The chapel is located within the original 4th-century walls of Constantine's church. This room is used every Sunday for worship by the Syrian Orthodox Church, which claims to be the oldest Christian denomination in the world. The Syrian church worships in the first-century language of Aramaic, and its Bible is written in the Syriac language, which is closely related to Aramaic. According to tradition, the Apostles Peter and John are considered the founders of the Syrian Church, which originated in the first century in the city of Antioch. It was here, as recorded in Acts 11:26, that the followers of Christ were first referred to as Christians. There are five tombs in this room that date back to the first century. Three of them are blocked, as if they have no significance. A decorative arch surrounds the two open tombs in the middle. That means these tombs were reserved for individuals of special status. It's believed that these were the tombs of Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, members of the Jewish ruling council who were secret disciples of Christ, and who laid Him in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. 22. The Catholicon It was the central part of the Crusader Church. It's the largest chapel in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the main prayer hall of the Greek Orthodox church in Jerusalem. At the front of the chapel is a short, rose-colored marble basin containing a circular stone marked with a cross. It’s called the Omphalos, a word that means navel. It has been here for almost 1,000 years. The Orthodox Church teaches that the place where Jesus died and rose from the dead is the center of the world. A specific spot, known as the Omphalos, is situated exactly halfway between the cross and the tomb. They believe this spot is the spiritual center of the entire universe. This throne, located on the right side of the chapel, is reserved for the priest who oversees the Greek Orthodox Church in the Holy Land. He is called the Patriarch of Jerusalem. The throne on the left side of the chapel is dedicated to the Patriarch of Antioch, a city located in southern Turkey. The lecterns on each side of the chapel are called the Analogion. It is where the priest reads Scripture and leads his congregation in song and holy liturgy during Orthodox worship services. The wall in the front of the church is called an iconostasis, or icon stand, and virtually every Greek Orthodox church in the world has one. The iconostasis symbolically separates the main worship hall, which represents all of us on earth, from the sanctuary and the main altar behind the wall, which represents heaven. 23. Chapel of Mary Magdalene In between the rotunda of the church and the Arches of the Virgin is the Roman Catholic Chapel dedicated to Mary Magdalene. This chapel is believed to be the site where Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene after His resurrection. Above the altar in this chapel is a bronze statue depicting the encounter of Mary Magdalene with Jesus. High on the opposite side is the pipe organ that accompanies the worship services celebrated here. The tiles on the floor are new, but they are laid in the same pattern that they were in the 11th century. The circle with the rays represents the location where Jesus stood when He and Mary first encountered each other after His resurrection, and the three concentric circles represent the positions where Mary Magdalene stood when she saw Him. John 20:14-16: At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. 15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). 24. Chapel of the Apparition It's approximately 1,000 years old and in the custody of the Franciscan Catholic community in Jerusalem. On the front left side of the church, a sculpture depicts Jesus appearing to His mother shortly after His resurrection. This appearance of Jesus to his mother is not recorded in the Bible. It’s a legend that was first mentioned in the third century. In this chapel is a column of stone believed by many to be part of the pillar to which Jesus was tied as the Roman soldiers whipped Him. On the far side of this room is a bronze statue on the wall, showing all fourteen stations of the cross – from the point at which Jesus was condemned by Pontius Pilate to die, to the tomb where He was buried, and from which He rose from the dead. 25. Arches of the Virgin Mary This is a long gallery under the custody of the Franciscan Catholics in the Holy Land. It’s called the Arches of the Virgin because it commemorates the moment Mary visited the tomb of Jesus, where He appeared to her after His resurrection. This legendary appearance to Mary is not mentioned in the Bible, but found in historical accounts from two ancient sources from the third century AD. The northern wall of this gallery is part of the original Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built by Constantine. There are holes in this wall that once supported large marble panels that adorned the rotunda over the Tomb of Jesus. 26. Northern Wall of Constantine's Church This wall was part of the original Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and there are holes in it that once supported large marble panels that adorned the martyrium. When the original Church of the Holy Sepulchre was completed in 335 AD, this area was part of a large worship hall called the Martyrium. All the columns in this original martyrium were square. However, in 1009 AD, the entire church was destroyed. Thirty-nine years later, in 1048 AD, the church was completely reconstructed, and the builders decided to switch from square pillars to round ones, although a couple of square pillars remain in this gallery. 27. Chapel of the Prison of Jesus This chapel is under the authority of the Greek Orthodox Church. One of the remnants of this prison was this leg stock, where a prisoner’s legs would have been slipped through these holes, and then shackled at the ankles, so that the prisoner could not escape. It is unlikely that this prison existed during the crucifixion of Jesus, as it was located outside the city walls, and there is no mention in the Gospels of Jesus spending time in a prison at Golgotha. It is believed that Jesus was imprisoned for the night at the House of the High Priest, Caiaphas. However, not here at Golgotha. Today, this prison serves as a commemorative chapel where one can pray and contemplate the imprisonment of Jesus leading up to His crucifixion. 28. The Ambulatory There is a long, curved hallway that runs around the church behind the main worship hall, the Catholicon. This hallway is called the Ambulatory. When you walk through it, starting from the Chapel of Adam, it is like a little miniature Via Dolorosa. There are three chapels on the right side of this hallway, and they tell the story of Jesus' sufferings in chronological order, from right to left. Chapel of Derision Chapel of the Parting of the Robes Chapel of Longinus 29. St Longinus Chapel Longinus was the Roman Centurion who commanded the soldiers who stood watch at Golgotha. He was an eyewitness to Jesus' final moments and proclaimed that Jesus was truly the Son of God. An ancient source from the fourth century claims the soldier's name was Longinus. John 19:32-34: So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man, and of the other who was crucified with Him; 33 but after they came to Jesus, when they saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. 34 Yet one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear , and immediately blood and water came out. Whatever happened to this soldier named Longinus? Tradition tells us that Longinus became a believer in Christ, probably not just because of this earthquake, but also because, as a soldier, he likely heard that this same Jesus rose from the dead three days later. Matthew 27:54: Now as for the centurion and those who were with him keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the other things that were happening, they became extremely frightened and said, “Truly this was the Son of God !” Today, Longinus is revered as a saint in many Christian denominations because he is believed to have converted to Christianity after the crucifixion of Jesus. That’s why there is a large statue of Longinus in Saint Peter’s Cathedral in Rome today. Tradition tells us that Longinus was martyred in Cappadocia. 30. Chapel of the Division of the Robes While Jesus hung on the cross, the Roman soldiers tore His robe up into four parts. This was foretold in Psalm 22:18: They divide my garments among them, and they cast lots for my clothing. The soldiers divided up Jesus’ outer garment into four parts, and then had a kind of lottery drawing to see which one of them would walk away with His tunic, which He wore under His robe. His tunic didn’t have any seams. It was woven into one piece. Mark 15:24: And they crucified Him, and divided up His garments among themselves , casting lots for them to decide what each man would take. 31. Chapel of the Derision This place commemorates the people who derided Jesus by mocking and laughing at him while He hung on the Cross. The Paintings in the Chapel of the Derision. Each picture is a fulfillment of an Old Testament prophecy. The picture on the right shows Jesus during one of His trials, where the Jewish rulers are mocking him. This was a fulfillment of verses from Psalm 27 and Psalm 35. The middle picture shows Jesus seated on this granite pillar, with the crown of thorns placed on His head. That was a fulfillment of prophecies in Psalms 35 and 69, as well as Isaiah 50. The picture on the left shows Jesus walking through a crowd that is jeering and yelling at Him. That is a fulfillment of verses from Psalm 7 and Isaiah 53. Matthew 27:39-44: And those passing by were speaking abusively to Him , shaking their heads, 40 and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” 41 In the same way, the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking Him and saying, 42 “He saved others; He cannot save Himself! He is the King of Israel; let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him. 43 He has trusted in God; let God rescue Him now, if He takes pleasure in Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 And the rebels who had been crucified with Him were also insulting Him in the same way. 32. Chapel of St. Helena Descending the stairs into this chapel, ancient crosses carved into the walls from the 1100s can be seen. This area was filled with dirt when Hadrian built his temple to Jupiter and Venus here. Helena destroyed the temple that Hadrian had built, removed the dirt from this area, and exposed it. She built a stairway tunnel that led down to this area because it was the place where she had found part of the cross of Jesus. Helena had pillars constructed to support the floor above it. To the left of the chapel, a section of the structural wall that Hadrian built remains visible today. The Chapel of Saint Helena was named after the mother of the first Christian Roman emperor, Constantine the Great. In 326 AD, Constantine sent Helena to the Holy Land in her late 70s to build churches on Christianity’s most holy sites, beginning with this location. It was the Crusaders who gave this chapel its common name, but the current custodians of the chapel, the Armenian Apostolic Church, renamed this chapel after their patron Saint. They now refer to it as the Chapel of Saint Gregory the Illuminator. Saint Gregory is the most important saint for the Armenian Apostolic Church. In 301 AD, he convinced the king of Armenia to adopt Christianity. After that, the entire nation of Armenia switched from the pagan religion of Zoroastrianism to Christianity. The three large paintings on the north wall of this room tell his story. The Altar of Saint Helena (also known to the Armenians as the Altar of Saint Gregory). This altar was dedicated to Saint Helena. The Armenian Apostolic Church operates this chapel, and you will find a large mosaic on the floor depicting nine historic Armenian churches. Although the mosaic appears ancient, it was actually created in the 1970s. The Altar of the Penitent Thief is located to the left of the chapel. 33. Chapel of the Discovery of the Cross Going down some stairs located on the right side of the chapel is a room called the Chapel of the Discovery of the Cross. Tradition claims that this is where Saint Helena discovered the "True Cross" on which Jesus is said to have died. Why was the cross left here? This room was once a large underground cistern that collected water for the garden. You can still see the hole in the ceiling where people lowered buckets to get water. Tradition claims that local Christians told Helena that the Cross had been thrown into this old water cistern on the day Jesus died. Why was it thrown in this cistern? Jesus died at 3:00 PM, and the Jewish holy day (the Sabbath) began at 6:00 PM. Jewish law required that everything be buried or cleaned up before the Sabbath started. This gave Jesus’s followers only three hours to bury him and get rid of the bloody crosses. Because they were in a rush, they likely threw the crosses into this nearby cistern. Supposedly, the crosses stayed hidden here until Helena found them in 326 AD. If you look at the ceiling, you can see straight cuts in the rock. This is because, long before it was a cistern, this room was a stone quarry where workers extracted stone for building construction. Later, the old quarry was transformed into a garden, which is mentioned in the Bible (John 19:41). Ultimately, this space was converted into a cistern to supply water for the garden. The left side of this chapel is under the custody of the Catholics, whose altar features a life-sized statue of the Empress Helena holding a cross. The exact place where it is said that Helena found the three crosses is believed to be behind the metal altar railing. 34. Chapel of Saint Vartan This chapel is normally closed to the public, and special arrangements must be made to see it. This chapel is at the deepest part of the church. Throughout the centuries, the wall adjacent to the Altar of the Penitent Thief in the Chapel of Saint Helena was merely a wall. In the 1970s, a hole was made in the wall, and when they broke through, they discovered archaeological ruins that date back almost 2,700 years. The first room was part of a rock quarry that provided the building stones for Solomon’s Temple (960 BC) and other building projects in Jerusalem. A wall containing a boat drawing was part of the foundation of the temple to the false gods that Hadrian built on this site in 135 AD. The only remnants of this ancient temple are in this chapel and the Russian Church of Alexander Nevsky next door. Sometime between 325 AD—after Helena demolished Hadrian’s temple to the false gods—and the completion of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre about eleven years later, a pilgrim made his way to Jerusalem. He had traveled by boat from the western regions of the Roman Empire. Upon reaching this sacred place, he etched a drawing of his vessel onto the wall. Alongside it, in Latin, he inscribed the words: "Domine, imus"—“Lord, we go.” This phrase likely echoes Psalm 122:1: “I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’” His journey had brought him to the gates of Jerusalem—and he marked the moment in stone. 35. Ethiopian Chapels ~ accessed from the plaza area outside the church, going up stairs to the roof of the church. Ethiopian Chapel St. Michael Ethiopian Chapel St. of the Four Living Creatures 36. Ethiopian Monastery ~ on the roof of the church. Ever since around 350 AD, monks from the African country of Ethiopia have lived in Jerusalem. Ethiopian monks are still here in a very primitive monastery. The monastery is called Deir es-Sultan, and the Ethiopians have been here on the roof ever since the year 1654 AD. Approximately twenty monks reside here in small huts that resemble traditional African clay homes. 37. Dome over the Chapel of St. Helena This is located on the roof of the church. 38. Original Entrance to Hadrian's Temple and Constantine's Church Faith Lesson from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre 1. While we might disagree with the decorations and atmosphere of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, do we appreciate all the devotion and sacrifice that have been made to remember and commemorate all Jesus did for us on the Cross? 2. The fact that this place, along with many others, has been preserved and set aside to honor Christ and the events of the Bible provides powerful evidence regarding the historicity of Christ and the truthfulness of the Bible. Do we truly believe the Bible and everything written in it? 3. This is the believed place where Christ gave His life for each one of us. Have we received Christ's gift of salvation and the promise of eternal life with Him in paradise? 4. Are we grateful for the price Jesus paid to save us and have a living relationship with us?

God, in His sovereignty, placed Tel Gezer, Israel, on the crossroads of the ancient world. They were to be a shining light for all to see God’s wonders, love, and miracles. See the importance of this location. Gezer is one of the largest tels in Israel. Whoever controlled Gezer had significant control over the ancient world. Gezer began to be inhabited some 5,000 years ago. It has around 21 layers of civilizations. Many child sacrifices were done here. Tel Gezer: On the Crossroads of the World Photo Gallery Places of Interest Gezer: On the Crossroads of the World Location 1. Gezer is in the eastern foothills of the coastal plain (Shaphelah) of western Israel. It is about 14 miles (22.5 km.) east of the Mediterranean Sea and about 19 miles (30.5 km.) west of Jerusalem. Tel Aviv sits about 17 miles (27 km.) to the northwest of Gezer. 2. Gezer was on the international north-south travel route called the Via Maris. It was also on a major east-west route that linked the coastal plain to Jerusalem and beyond. The Via Maris connected three continents, Africa, Asia, and Europe. This location is significant because Israel forms a narrow land bridge to connect these three continents. To the east is a desert and to the west is the Mediterranean Sea. This forced trade and travelers to use the Via Maris. Whatever happened in Israel was taken to the known world at that time. 3. Whoever controlled Gezer controlled the trade and influence of the ancient world in biblical times. 4. God, in His sovereignty, placed Israel on the crossroads of the known world so they could be a light to the world and communicate His message to them. 5. Gezer was in the territory of Ephraim. Historical Background 1. Gezer is one of the largest tels in Israel. 2. Whoever controlled Gezer had significant control over the ancient world. 3. Gezer began to be inhabited some 5,000 years ago. 4. It has around 21 layers of civilizations. 5. A tel is a mound of earth that develops as one civilization builds upon another. 6. The Canaanites first lived here from around 3000 BC to around 2000 BC. 7. Sadly, there has been found on this site many sacrificed babies. 8. When the Israelites arrived in 1406 BC, they failed to drive out the Philistines and occupy Gezer. 9. As a result, the Philistines lived here from around 2000 BC until King David subdued them in around 1000 BC. 10. Gezer existed during the time of Christ. 11. Gezer is mentioned 14 times in the Bible. 12. During the Hasmonean revolt (167 BC), the Jews lived close to Gezer and used it for battle purposes. 13. The Ottomans (15th and 16th centuries) lived here as well. Places of Interest 1. Parking 2. Canaanite Tower 3. Canaanite Gate 4. Water System 5. Sheikh's Tomb 6. Israelite City 7. Solomon’s Gate 8. Standing Stones 9. Lookout Point Gezer in the Bible 1. In the conquest of the Promised Land, God gave the Israelites victory over Gezer. Joshua 10:33: Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish. And Joshua struck him and his people, until he left none remaining. 2. The tribe of Ephraim was allotted Gezer, but they didn’t fully drive out its inhabitants and conquer them. Joshua 16:10: However, they did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer , so the Canaanites have lived in the midst of Ephraim to this day but have been made to do forced labor. 3. Gezer was one of the cities given to the Kohathite clans of the Levites. It was also a city of refuge. Joshua 21:20–22: As to the rest of the Kohathites belonging to the Kohathite clans of the Levites, the cities allotted to them were out of the tribe of Ephraim. 21 To them were given Shechem, the city of refuge for the manslayer, with its pasturelands in the hill country of Ephraim, Gezer with its pasturelands, 22 Kibzaim with its pasturelands, Beth-horon with its pasturelands-four cities. 4. King David, some 200 years later, conquered the Philistines who lived in Gezer. 2 Samuel 5:25: Then David did so, just as the Lord had commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba as far as Gezer . 5. After King David, it appears Egypt also conquered Gezer and gave it to Solomon, who rebuilt and fortified it. 1 Kings 9:15–17: And this is the account of the forced labor that King Solomon drafted to build the house of the Lord and his own house and the Millo and the wall of Jerusalem and Hazor and Megiddo and Gezer 16 (Pharaoh king of Egypt had gone up and captured Gezer and burned it with fire, and had killed the Canaanites who lived in the city, and had given it as dowry to his daughter, Solomon's wife; 17 so Solomon rebuilt Gezer ) and Lower Beth-horon. Faith Lesson from Gezer 1. In the same way Gezer is on a hill found on the crossroads of the world, we too have been placed by God in the world to influence those around us. 2. Unlike the Ephraimites who failed to conquer Gezer and attain what God had promised them, we should subdue what God wants us to become and accomplish for Him. 3. Like the standing stones at Gezer, we should be firm in our faith and persevere under persecution and pressure. We should not allow the world to mold us, but instead, we should impact the world for Christ.

En Gedi is located on the west side of the lower Dead Sea area north of Masada. It’s a beautiful oasis fed by a large spring in a barren, dry place. See and learn about this amazing oasis of living water in the desert. David hid out here when fleeing from King Saul, and God refers to Himself as living water for our dry and thirsty souls. En Gedi: Living Water In the Desert Photo Gallery Places of Interest En Gedi Introduction Nestled between the Judean Desert and the shores of the Dead Sea, En Gedi National Park is one of Israel’s most stunning natural oases. With its lush waterfalls, desert canyons, ancient ruins, and rich biblical history — including the caves where David hid from King Saul — En Gedi offers a breathtaking blend of beauty and spiritual significance. It’s a must-visit destination for nature lovers, hikers, and those seeking a deeper connection to the land of the Bible. Location 1. En Gedi is located on the west side of the lower Dead Sea area about 11 miles (17 km.) north of Masada on Hwy. 90. 2. It’s a beautiful oasis fed by a large spring in a barren, dry place. Historical Background 1. En Gedi was inhabited by the Canaanites during the time of Abraham and Lot. 2. The Dead Sea basin was once like a Garden of the Lord. Genesis 13:10–12: Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the valley of the Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere —this was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah—like the garden of the Lord , like the land of Egypt as you go to Zoar. 11 So Lot chose for himself all the valley of the Jordan, and Lot journeyed eastward. Thus they separated from each other. 12 Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled in the cities of the valley, and moved his tents as far as Sodom. 3. Due to the abundant water supply, the village by En Gedi Park has had a long history of habitation from ancient days to the present. 4. Today, this area is extremely dry, and En Gedi is an oasis of living water in the desert. Places of Interest 1. Park entrance 2. Hiking trail 3. Nahal David Stream 4. Lower pools 5. Upper pools 6. Upper waterfall 7. Synagogue at Tel Goren (Jorn) 8. Ancient and modern En Gedi town 9. Dead Sea En Gedi in the Bible 1. En Gedi was used in a love poem in the book of Song of Solomon. Song of Solomon 1:14: My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms in the vineyards of En Gedi . 2. In the Millennial Reign of Christ on earth, God speaks of how He will change the Dead Sea region again to be like a garden due to a supernatural river flowing from Jerusalem. Ezekiel 47:9–10: And wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish. For this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes. 10 Fishermen will stand beside the sea. From En Gedi to Eneglaim it will be a place for the spreading of nets. Its fish will be of very many kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea. 3. En Gedi was one of David’s main hideouts when Saul was pursuing his life. 1 Samuel 23:28–29: So Saul returned from pursuing after David and went against the Philistines. Therefore, that place was called the Rock of Escape. 29 And David went up from there and lived in the strongholds of En Gedi . 4 . En Gedi is a perfect example of living water in the desert. The Israelites were a desert people whose whole history was related to the desert. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, along with the Israelite’s time in Egypt, and their wandering in the desert for 40 years, all took place in a desert. Also, much of Israel is a desert as well. The Israelites fully knew that living water meant life and survival. 5. God used the desert and living water as examples of judgment upon Israel. Jeremiah 2:12–13: Be appalled, O heavens, at this; be shocked, be utterly desolate, declares the LORD, 13 for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters , and hewed out cisterns for themselves , broken cisterns that can hold no water. 6. God used desert imagery to show how those who abandon Him are like a parched desert without water. Jeremiah 17:5–8: Thus says the LORD: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD. 6 He is like a shrub in the desert , and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness , in an uninhabited salt land. 7 "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD , whose trust is the LORD. 8 He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit." 7. Christ referred to Himself as the source of living water. John 7:37–38: On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink . 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water ." Faith Lesson from En Gedi 1. Living Water in the Bible refers to spiritual life and vitality found only in being right with God. 2. Stagnant water is full of sickness and diseases and refers to the person who lives life without being right with God. 3. Have we received Christ, the source of living water? 4. Do we fellowship regularly with God in order to receive living water for our souls? 5. Do we read God’s Word, which gives living water to our spirits and nourishes our hearts? 6. Are we seeking to find life and joy in our own pursuits and neglecting our relationship with God? Be appalled, O heavens, at this; be shocked, be utterly desolate, declares the LORD, 13 for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters , and hewed out cisterns for themselves , broken cisterns that can hold no water (Jer. 2:12–13).

Emmaus, also known as Emmaus Nicopolis, is believed to be the site of the village of Emmaus, which is referred to in Luke 24, where Jesus met two of His followers on the road to Emmaus after his resurrection. Emmaus was a large city that existed from the Hellenistic period through the Byzantine period. It's strategically located on the main road that links Joppa and the coastal cities to Jerusalem. It has served as an administrative, military, and economic center. Emmaus Nicopolis Photo Gallery Places of Interest Emmaus Nicopolis Location 1. Emmaus is about 10 miles (14 km.) west of the outskirts of Jerusalem on Hwy. 1. 2. Emmaus is also known as Emmaus Nicopolis and is in Ayalon Canada Park. 3. It's believed to be the site of the village of Emmaus, which is referred to in Luke 24, where Jesus met two of His followers on the road to Emmaus after his resurrection. 4. The ruins of the old city are scattered over a vast area inside the park and on its west side. Historical Background 1. Emmaus was a large city that existed from the Hellenistic period through the Byzantine period. 2. It's strategically located on the main road that links Joppa and the coastal cities to Jerusalem. 3. It has served as an administrative, military, and economic center. 4. Eusebius (260–340 AD) mentioned Nicopolis as biblical Emmaus in his writings. 5. Jerome (347–420 AD) spoke of a church in Nicopolis, built in the house of Cleopas, where Jesus broke bread with His disciples. 6. From the 4th century on, the site has been widely identified as the biblical Emmaus. 7. A Byzantine church was built here in the 5th century. 8. Another Byzantine church was built beside the 5th-century church in around the 7th century. 9. Later, the Crusaders built a basilica over the 7th-century Byzantine church in the 12th century. Places of Interest 1. 5th Century Church 2. 7th Century Church 3. 12th Century Church 4. Byzantine Inscription 5. Byzantine Baptistry Chapel 6. 5th-century Bishop’s House 7. Ancient Tombs 8. Roman Bathhouse - Located several hundred yards (m.) north of the church. Emmaus in the Bible 1. After Christ’s resurrection, two of His followers were walking to Emmaus. Luke 24:13–14: And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus , which was about seven miles [60 stadia, Greek and Roman measurement that varied somewhat in length] from Jerusalem. 14 And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place. 2. Jesus talked to the disciples and enlightened them, but He didn’t let them know who He was. Luke 24:15–27: While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them. 16 But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him. 17 And He said to them, “What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, answered and said to Him, “Are You the only one visiting Jerusalem and unaware of the things which have happened here in these days?” 19 And He said to them, “What things?” And they said to Him, “The things about Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people, 20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to the sentence of death and crucified Him. 21 But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened. 22 But also some women among us amazed us. When they were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and did not find His body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just exactly as the women also had said; but Him they did not see.” 25 And He said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” 27 Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. 3. Jesus made Himself known to the disciples. Luke 24:28–32: And they approached the village where they were going, and He acted as though He were going farther. 29 But they urged Him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is getting toward evening, and the day is now nearly over.” So He went in to stay with them. 30 When He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened , and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight. 32 They said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?” 4. The two men returned to Jerusalem and told the rest of the disciples that they had seen the risen Christ. Luke 24:33–35: And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem , and found gathered together the eleven and those who were with them, 34 saying, “The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 They began to relate their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread. Faith Lesson from Emmaus 1. There are hundreds of prophecies in the Old Testament that verify Christ as the Messiah. Do we believe Jesus is the Messiah and the Son of God, and have we received Him as our Lord and Savior? 2. The New Testament is built upon the Old Testament as the Old Testament is quoted 855 times in the New Testament. Do we read and teach out of the Old Testament, or do we neglect it? 3. Being God, Christ knew every detail of the Bible and handled it with precision and clarity. Do we know God’s Word in detail, and do we handle it with precision (2 Tim. 2:15)? 4. Christ taught the Scriptures in such a way that they reached the very depths of a person’s heart. Are we master teachers or mediocre teachers? 5. Christ appeared to many after His resurrection, and to over 500 at one time. Do we believe the resurrection of Christ was a real historical event? 1 Corinthians 15:3-8: For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas [Peter], then to the twelve. 6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; 7 then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; 8 and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.