Ballee Baptist Church

Tour of The Holy Land

Have you ever longed for the day that you would visit the land where our Lord lived and walked His earthly life? On Monday 27 March 2000 I did along with 25 others. It was to be the most fascinating and unforgettable trip. The Bible was brought alive, my faith and life were given a new dimension. The group was led by Pastor Kennedy, Ballee Baptist Church. We flew out of Belfast International Airport to Heathrow London, and on to Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv, arriving at 11pm.
On the first day we travelled by coach to Caesarea. It was here that Paul was tried before King Agrippa. “Paul thou almost persuaded me to be a Christian”. It was also here, where Pilate travelled to Jerusalem in which he condemned Jesus to death. A stone found in the ruins confirms that Pilate had been there.
We viewed the Crusader ruins and in the Amphitheatre our brother in Christ Dessie Shaw from the fellowship at Ballee sang that lovely song “Rose of Sharon”.
From Caesarea we travelled on towards the City of Haifi, driving over the top of Mt. Carmel. This was where Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal. Onwards we drove past a Druze village (the men of this sect wear trousers which have three legs, believing that the Messiah will be born of man) arriving at Megiddo. The beautiful Jezreel valley and Armageddon stretched before us. Revelation 16:16 came to mind.
Travelling north we saw the first glimpse of the City of Nazareth nestling in the valley below. (time was taken out of the hectic schedule for to pray over Nazareth). The Church of the Annunciation towered over the humble dwellings with its bright red roof for all to see. We proceeded north passing by Cana of Galilee on to our hotel.
Next day we all arose early for a trip across the Sea of Galilee. Such peace out on the water and what joy filled our souls as we recalled how Jesus once calmed the waters. Brother Dessie Shaw then sang the beautiful piece of music, “ Stranger of Galilee” whilst the engine of the boat was off and each reflected on the moment, the fishes swam around the boat in their thousands. In one corner of the shore two fishermen were casting their nets just as they did in the time of our Lord. Such beauty to behold.
On the other side of the lake we were driven to the mount of Beatitudes. Again what a thrill to stand where our Lord stood, and here the lovely words of the greatest sermon ever preached. (Matt.5).
Travelling north we arrive at Capernaum, where we saw the ruins of a synagogue and excavations revealing the foundation of houses that could possibly have included Simon Peters home. It was along these shores that Jesus called His first disciples, preached the gospel and performed miracles. We then travelled south crossing the River Jordan and stopped at Kursi, where it is believed that the miracle of casting out demons from the man into the swine took place. “Luke 8:26-39”. At this site was found the largest Byzantine Monastery in the Holy Land dating back to the 5th century.
Journeying on we arrived at the Baptismal Site where the Pastor had the joy of baptising two of our group and preaching the word of God in front of a large party of other believers from other countries. The ladies enjoyed the following morning as we were led on a tour of a Diamond factory (this was where some men held tight onto their wallets).
Our next visit was to the Golan Heights the scene of much army activity. We were right on the borders of Syria/Israel. Snow was in much abundance on top of Mt. Hermon. As we came away from one high spot we arrived in the beautiful Hula Valley which was lush green compared with the rest of the country.
Here all of the flowers are grown, the dates, bananas, oranges were in abundance. We then travel on past Nimrods Fortress, arriving at Caesarea Philippi meaning Banias. This is where Peter received the keys of Heaven and Earth. (Matt. 16:13).
We leave the shore of Galilee at Tiberius and travel towards the City of Jerusalem through the Jordan Valley, travelling via Mt. Tabor (reputed site of the Transfiguration) and travel up the mountain by taxis (there is no other way other than walking). Here we are reminded of the foundation of our faith, with Moses representing the law, and Jesus Himself being the chief cornerstone.
Ahead of us is the mountains of Gilboa and a stop at Bet’She’an where the Philistine lords displayed the bodies of Saul and his sons on the city walls. Leaving Bet’She’an we arrive at Jericho.
High up on the mountain is the Mount of Temptations.
In the main street (there is only one street) at a road junction is the one and only sycamore tree.

Onward towards Jerusalem however a detour was enrooted and we ended up arriving in Bethlehem, where we joined a large crowd in Manger Square before gaining admittance into the crypt of the Church of the Nativity. A further drive then brought us through the old City of Jerusalem passing by the Eastern Wall.
Saturday being the Jewish Sabbath arrangements were made for the group to attend a Breaking of Bread Service at the Garden Tomb. Brother Trevor Boyd spoke from Isaiah Ch 53: 1-7. This was my highlight of the tour seated around the empty tomb, remembering Calvary.
Sitting quietly in a place reserved for the group I saw Calvary as it is today and for what it meant to me. Looking across at the place of the scull and on the top of it a piece of green grass. And this was just yards outside the City wall.
A visit to the Garden of Gethsemane with its old gnarled olive trees reminded me of our Saviour's agony there as He prayed.
This tour of the Holy Land had many magic moments, this was not a holiday but a tour to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, and other places visited were a walking tour of the City of Jerusalem, The Rock of the Dome, The Wailing Wall, The Dead Sea (this is where all took courage and managed to float upon the water, some even covered themselves with the mud, to that I’ll say no more). On route to the dead sea we were shown Qumran where the dead sea scrolls came from, Pool of Bethesda, and the Via-Dolorosa (the way of the cross).
These were also fun filled days with evenings spent eating ice cream, giving the Pastor headaches trying to sort out who owed what, (but being a former banker no one got away without paying?). Camel rides. Cable car rides up Masada mountain.

But with all good things it has to come to an end, and for me looking up to the little church on the mountainside the little Dominus Flevit shaped like a tear drop said it all for this is where our “Lord wept over Jerusalem”.

So to all who read this article or to those who have been on a Tour of the Holy Land, “God be with you till we meet again”. To see more photos from the Holy Land, click here.