Paul's Trip To Israel

Joseph Durso

3 days ago9 min read

My Journey of Faith

Like all of life, the Christian life is filled with highs and lows, Triumphs and trials, joys and sorrows. Without a doubt, my son's trip to Israel was one of my highs, triumphs, and joys. We had fun, received an education, observed the most critical land in the world to God, and most importantly, we did it together.

Paul's Trip To Israel He Turned Into a Picture Book

This picture is from a book my son had made about our visit to Israel at his request and for his baptism. — The cover of a book that Paul had made of his trip to Israel with me to get baptized in the land of God's chosen people

A picture of Israel set the stage for Paul the trip that began as a dream that would realize his being baptized in the Jordan river. — Paul's decision to be baptized at the right time became a dream for him, which I was fortunate to share with him.

Paul's Trip to Israel Was His Dream

Having been part of the church for many years, I knew how many in the church might react to Paul's desire to wait to be baptized. There are many reasons that people would cite for being baptized soon, but there is no command in scripture. As Paul's father, I chose to wait with him to see his resolve to be baptized when he said he would. Sure enough, when his thirtieth birthday came, I received the phone call and heard Paul say, "Okay, set up the trip; we're going to Israel." My heart leaped for my opportunity to go with him for such a glorious reason. I would rather see people come to Christ, count the cost, and wait so they could be sure they were willing to pay. Paul gets my highest praise for making such an important decision the way he did and sticking to it.

Paul's Trip To Israel Was Meaningful Because...

Paul explains in his picture book how much more meaningful his baptism as he was able to do it as a dream come true. — I am so blessed to be able to call Paul a brother in the Lord and to call him son!

Paul's Trip To Israel Enlarged Our View Of A Military State

The presence of the military was frequent, comforting, and the knowledge that a world without God is a world that knows no peace. — From day one, we realized we are in a nation-state under the threat of war.

Israel: A nation at war — Israel has a history of war that continued to this present day.

The military's presence was frequent and comforting, as was the knowledge that a world without God is a world that knows no peace.

During Paul's trip to Israel we explored the land of the Bible together. — A wonderful part of Paul's trip to Israel was travel as we explored the land of the Bible. We landed in TEL AVIV

Israel flag, I believe outside the Israeli consulate. — We were in Israel; Many buildings were different and the foliage had changed. Paul's Trip To Israel was

We were in the land where Abraham, Isaac and Jacob walked. — We were in the land where Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob walked; Joshua, David, Elijah and Elisha exercised their God-given faith.

A model tank with a very real story attched to it. — When this model was prepared for visitors, no one expected what an impact it would have on the first visitor.

On one of our days in Israel, we visited a tank museum. As we walked in the door, we saw a tank partly sticking out of a wall. Statues of soldiers stood around the tank, but the statues did not have faces. We met a man who explained that they were faceless because it was not a monument to those men, particularly, but to the tank core.

He then told us that on the museum's opening day, a man walked in, observed the tank, sat on one step before it, and began to cry. He explained that was not what they expected to see and asked him what was wrong. He said he recognized the photo as he had received many of them when his son was killed during a training exercise. Stories like that make you realize you're in a nation at war.

Israel is a nation of soldiers who are very competant defend their people. — Shorty, our guide stopped to take a picture with us.

Paul and Shorty from the tank musuem — Shorty is small but could load a 90 pound shell in amoving tank.

Paul's Trip To Israel Connected The Land and People To Bible Narratives

Paul took a shot on the sea of Galilee — Paul on the sea of Galilee

When you have spent your life reading the Bible and familiarizing yourself with events that took place 2,000 and as much as 3,500 years ago and then go there and see the land, it moves you emotionally.

Paul and I on the Sea of Galilee in a fishing boat. — Paul and I sitting in a boat on the Sea of Galilee

"And He (Jesus) said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19

When we read of Peter, James and John cleaning their nets, undboubtedly they used something similar to the man in the boat.

Think of it, we were in the very spot on earth where Jesus walked on the water.

Paul's Trip To Israel Was Meaningful To Us Both

Paul taking pictures of the Mediterranean Sea. — The caption in Paul's book reads,

Many Bible stories can come to life as you contemplate about them where they took place. — "My dad taking it all in. You are looking at the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.

Paul taking pictures but the memories are alive in our heart. — I am so thankful for having spent our time together in Israel

We Visited Where The Borders of Lebanon, Siberia and Israel Come Toether

Paul in a bunker. — Paul in an active bunker

"Hey dad, look at me getting some shade and out of the line of fire."

I am leaning on a tank turret — Listening to a guide while standing in an active military outpost is interesting to say the least.

Hey Paul, look at me taking in some son and leaning on a tank turret.

Our guide at the Israeli border — A guide who served in several wars

Our Border Guide

We spent a little time learning about what it takes to secure one of Israel's borders. We were overlooking Lebanon, where you can't be too careful. There were mind fields and houses down below where some houses didn't have windows in case they decided to take potshots at us.

The man wearing the red hat in the picture above talked to us about Israel from the perspective of engaging in war. At one point, he referred to the fact that they (Israel) are the chosen people. He leaned back on the fence, thought momentarily, and said, "I don't know why we are the chosen people." On another day, when on the bus, I was asked to share a message with our fellow passengers. I used his thoughts when explaining the sovereignty of God. Our Jewish tour guide wasn't happy with me after that day. However, more than one couple thanked me for what I shared and said they were blessed. As God caused creation speaking into existence everything from nothing, even so God speaks eternal life into hearts dead in trespasses and sins.

Sign for the Ancient Dan Trail — The sign speaks for itself

Paul on steps of the Dan Trail — Paul on the Dan trail

Steps to the Altar of worship in Dan — The altar of idols with steps leading up

Our group on the Dan trail. — Our group on the Dan trail

Paul and our group on the Dan trail. — So much to take in and think about

A pretty pond on the Dan trail — Our surroundings drove my Biblical imagination

The picture on your top right shows the steps leading up to an altar of sacrifice, where a king set a gold calf for worship. Idolatry was ubiquitous in Israel, which they were warned against in the Ten Commandments. After the commandments were written in Exodus 20, we are told in verses 25 and 26, 'If you make an altar of stone for Me, you shall not build it of cut stones, for if you wield your tool on it, you will profane it. 'And you shall not go up by steps to My altar so that your nakedness will not be exposed on it.' Sinful people, which we all are, are never good at following God's laws.

Paul's Trip To Israel Allowed Us To View The Memory of Roman Captivity

An arena for Roman Chariot races — An Arena for Roman Chariot Races

Columns from Ancient Rome — Roman Pillars that line the road

A Roman aquaduct for carrying water — A Roman Aquaduct to carry water

A Roman road. — Can picture in your mind's eye, Israel during the time Jesus walked the earth?

An ancient site of cultic rituals — A site of cultic rituals in Israel

A sign indicating the cultic site. — Inside and around the temples were found the remains of altars, ditches, and other structures which served in cultic rituals performed on the site.

"“There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, 11or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead" Deuteronomy 18:10-11.

Israel has been a testament to God's holy righteousness. "The nations will know that the house of Israel went into exile for their iniquity because they acted treacherously against Me, and I hid My face from them; so I gave them into the hand of their adversaries, and all of them fell by the sword." Ezekiel 39:23 As God's word has been faithful in Israel, even so, it will be for all eternity. "If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints." Revelation 13:10

Paul's Trip To Israel Gave Us Chills From Israel's Love For America

A restaurant on the river Tiberius — Our destination was a restaurant on the river Tiberius

Part of our dinner part on the river Tiberius — Great food and fellowship but what came next was incredible.

What you don't want to see in Israel is a boat in flames or anything for that matter.

What we weren't expecting was to be entertained and receive a blessing.

Paul was enjoying the singers provided or our group. — Paul enjoying a fish dinner and Christian fellowshiip

We are in Israel, a nation persecuted by countries from all over the world for 2,000 years. We are enjoying our food, the atmosphere, and the servers. Then, flairs went off on a nearby boat in Israel, which can frighten you. Nevertheless, the singers on stage began to sing 'God Bless America' to their friends from the other side of the globe. After finishing their song, they went on to sing, 'On Holy Ground,' when they sang the words, Jesus Christ, I felt like crying. When they finished the song, I went to the woman in charge and said, "I have to thank you for the blessing of hearing a Christian..." She stopped me mid-sentence and said, "No, we have to thank you for all the help you have been to our country.

At least 40% of our country is not religious, never mind godly, and unfamiliar with God's promises to Abraham's seed. "And I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; And I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you, all the families of the earth will be blessed" Genesis 12:2-3. For this reason, everyone should be pleased with our president for a second term who is intent on blessing Israel.

Paul's Trip To Israel Gave Us Some Local Flavor

The people were very friendly and the food was good where we stopped at someone's house for lunch. — We ate at someone's house and the food was enjoyable.

Part of our group at a host house where we ate lunch. — A good week of fellowship

Paul sharing something with our hosts. — Looks like Paul was making a point.

Paul standing in the ruin of Caperneum. — Paul standing in the ruins of Capernaum the town where it is believed that Peter's mother lived.

Paul participating at an archiological dig. — We went on an archiological dig. Paul digging like an archeologist. I believe he found a Roman coin.

Paul at the top of Meggedo. — Paul and I on top of Masada. Behind him is the where Armageddon will take place.

Paul on the top of Mount Carmel. — Paul standing on top of Mount Carmel where Elijah called down fire from heaven.

A statue representing Elijah on Mount Carmel. — A supposed statue of Elijah taking the sword to 450 false prophets. God did not think well of them.

I am calling for rain on the top of mount Carmel. — Paul wrote, "My dad was imitating Elijah trying to make it rain and wouldn't you know it... It rained!"

I signed us up with The Friends of Israel; I received a packet of information, and included was the ZVI, which is about a young boy whose mom sent him away so he would not be taken with her to a German concentration camp. It is a great read. ZVI is the Jewish name for Henry. He considered himself very cunning to avoid capture by German soldiers. After the war, he enlisted in the Israeli army in their quest to regain the land given to them by God. He was an incredible soldier and very brave.

However, once he became a Christian, he realized it was not so much his cunning as the sovereignty of God. Paul and I were privileged to meet him and attend a church he began. His son was the current pastor; he participated in the service in, I believe, seven languages. He was a bold witness for Jesus Christ among the Jews, and they sought his death on more than one occasion.

Paul and I having our picture taken with Zvi and Nazi survivor, a soldier in Israel' war to regain their land. — ZVI: Small in stature but a powerhouse for Go

Paul's Trip To Israel Was the Fulfillment Of An Eighteen Year Dream

Paul and I waiting for his baptism on the steps leading to the river Jordon. — Paul and I waiting for a very special moment.

Paul and I praying while waiting for his baptism. — Paul and I praying while we wait for his special moment of ouwardly testifying to the inward reality of identification with Jesus Christ in His death, resurrection, and Paul's separation from the world.

Then The Moment To Be Remembered

A Very Special Moment

To understand there is no place for pride or competition in the church is crucial. Writing to the believers at Corinth, a church that surrendered to carnal living due to the deceitful lies of the enemy, he said, "Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one would say you were baptized in my name."

1 Corinthians 1:13-15

Paul's Trip To Israel Gave a Special Lord's Day Supper To Remember Him

The sign that appears on the inside of the Garden tomb. — The sign that appears on the inside of the door.

Paul standing at the doorway of the Garden Tomb from which Christ was raised. — Paul at the tomb believed to be Jesus' for three days, until His resurrection

Golgatha or the place of the skull. — Golgatha: The Place of the Skull

Contemplating our Lord's death, I also noticed the people walking by and wondered if they were aware or oblivious to the historical and spiritual significance that stood beside their walkway.