NOTE: This is the final article in a series of posts as we have looked at places where Jesus walked. If you would like to go back and look and some of the previous posts, they covered the Southern Steps of the Temple Mount, the shore of the Sea of Galilee, a Roman Road in Galilee, the hills of Samaria, and on the Sea of Galilee.
Luke tells us:
And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. - Luke 19:28
This verse comes toward the end of Jesus' life here on earth. After visiting the city of Jericho, Luke tells us that Jesus left the city and went up to Jerusalem. The picture at the top of this post is of the hills west of the city of Jericho. A road known as the Ascent of Adummim goes up these hills.
Jesus walked here.
As the crow flies, the distance between Jericho and Jerusalem is about 12 miles. However, over that 12 miles, there is an elevation gain of about 3500 feet. The road is desolate, barren, and travelers are totally exposed to the sun.
I have hiked a good bit in the Smoky Mountains. One of the things that you quickly learn while hiking is that it is very difficult to talk and walk at the same time. You need to use as much energy as you can to keep walking. So, you end up doing a lot of thinking.
Jesus probably did the same. He probably spent a good deal of time thinking. What did He think about? Honestly, I do not know. But, I can guess. He probably thought about:
1) How hot and dry it was. It would not have been an easy walk. 2) The week that was ahead of him. He knew what He was going to have to go through. 3) He was probably thinking about you...and me. He knew that if He did not walk up that road and go through the trials of the next week, we would have no hope.
So, what lesson can we learn from Jesus walking up this road? We can learn that we need to be willing to make sacrifices for others. What Jesus did for all of us is the single, most important sacrifice that has ever been made.
Do you want to walk like Jesus? Then walk up the Ascent to Adummim and be willing to make true sacrifices for others.
How would you like to travel with me to Israel and see many of these places that I have mentioned? I am leading a tour next June and I would love to have you join me. For more information, see my website. Do not let this opportunity pass you by!