Easter: In the Footsteps of Jesus

The newness of spring's arrival perfectly compliments the breath of new life through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. The joyful blossoming of the hills and valleys lift ones heart to sing. The lengthening days lifts ones soul to rejoice in the sounds of the season as all of creation seems to proclaim the glory of God. There is a special glory of the heart in connecting to the truth in the Easter Story when one has been gifted to walk in the footsteps of Jesus in the Holyland. That which we have heard and read about and believe comes to life in a new and personal way when you can hear the waters of the Galilee splashing against the sides of a fishing boat, when you see those ancient names appearing on the roadsigns along the way, and when you walk the stone pavements in Jerusalem where Jesus went about His Father's work.

In this special season, will you walk with me yet again in those beautiful footprints of time and ponder the miracles of life that continue to bear fruit today through the power of the cross as the Light of the World shines through that cross that we might know the Father through the victory of the Son and find eternal joy that brings us peace now and forever. Blessings and prayers that you might know the fullness of His joy in a personal and lifegiving way. Perhaps pondering this poem that follows will give you food for thought in this special season of God's love.

Pilgrimage

To go back to the beginning and retrace steps of our knowing

We may pilgrimage to ancient lands to the place of God’s showing

Back to the desert wilderness still forlorn and bare

Back through the ages as if we too were there

Our soul seems transported through history to taste divine fare.

Back to the beginning, to walk through deserts rugged and mysterious

To feel ancient winds blowing with His presence awesome and serious

To feel that connection throughout time in a supernatural way

And know the fragrance of His loving providence each day

Our soul escapes the boundaries of time as we too kneel to pray.

Our pilgrimage leads forward through recorded history of time

Walking in the footsteps of those receiving God’s message sublime

We make empathetic connection with saints who have gone before

But we come gifted with knowledge of much more

We look back knowing Him to which they looked forward to in store.

Walking through the valleys where our patriarchs trod

The Bible tells us how they learned what is made known of God

It is as if we too feel that connection deeply with the remnant of old

The Spirit within confirms truth in what we have been told

We continue to walk through time with eternal hunger that is bold.

Up to the heights out of the desert lying below level of the sea

Up to the lush hills surrounding the timeless Galilee

We feel life unfolding as a blossom in the sun

Through the Spirit we know the life of Christ and His victory won

We taste the goodness of truth through the resurrection of the Son.

We walk in these places where now as then many fail to see

Tracing footsteps of our Lord Who became man to set us free

We sit together on a green hillside overlooking the sea to eat

We consume physical food while our souls feast on the Word at His feet

In some divine sense we feel both present and future inexorably meet.

Turning upwards to Jerusalem, on the Mount of Olives to stand

We too weep while praying for her peace through difficulties at hand

The children are now quiet who once waved palm branches and sang

We join the remnant with hopeful hearts that have heard truth as it rang

All the while suffering indignities inflicted by the serpent’s fang.

The Lord reigns at the Father’s side; His joyful light shines still

For those with faith to believe, blessed to climb the God’s holy hill

Jerusalem is still anointed with the glorious heavenly light of old

We who extol our heavenly King are also wrapped in His light of gold

This splendor of shimmering glory throughout time was foretold.

The pilgrimage may allow walking those same roads with sandaled feet

We may truly experience the land of milk and honey providentially sweet

We may savor the goodness through others who went before us to taste

Who lingered and listened and soaked in eternal light without haste

Granted reward now to number days to gain wisdom without waste.

There is something unique in setting foot on that soil from desert to sea

To breath the arid winds still blowing wild and free

To hear the wind blown waves near the Valley of the Dove

And know Jesus walked there before being resurrected above

To intercede with His Father for those upon whom He set His love.

After such a pilgrimage one returns home refreshed and restored

The life-changing gift becomes part of our nature as a great reward

Only in experiencing the enormity of life are we enabled to feed sheep

Only in walking humbly with our Lord are we enabled to reap

Blessing upon blessing of promised life He is faithful to keep.



Gethsemane Gate Cross