In the Footsteps of Jesus in Jerusalem

Why is Israel called the Holy Land? The world’s three major monotheistic religions, Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, are all strongly connected to this small sliver of land in different spiritual ways.

For Christians, it is the home and place of ministry of Jesus. During the 33 years of Jesus’ life, He preached the gospel and performed healing miracles all over Israel, from the peaceful Sea of Galilee, to the quiet village of Capernaum, to the highly religious city of Jerusalem and beyond.

Millions of tourists make pilgrimages to fulfill their dreams of walking in His footsteps, sailing the same waters He did, praying in the shadow of the same trees He sat beneath, or standing on the hillside where He taught.

Here are some unique places where Jesus spent His time in the city of Jerusalem over 2,000 years ago. 

The Garden of Gethsemane

The Garden of Gethsemane is a grove of olive trees on the Mount of Olives, across from the walls of the Old City. In Hebrew, the garden is called Gat Shmanim, which means ‘oil press’. The garden is enclosed by a fence to preserve its ancient olive trees, just like the ones that were there at the time of Jesus.

All four gospels in the New Testament tell the story of Jesus and His disciples on the eve of Passover. They shared a Passover meal, then left in the dark of the night to pray in the garden. It was there that Jesus entreated His disciples to stay awake and pray with Him before He was betrayed by Judas, captured by Roman soldiers, and, later on, crucified.

If you are a person of prayer, you will love the serenity of this green and tranquil garden. You can almost hear the whispers of millions upon millions of pilgrims who have prayed in that very place, connecting you to a divine power.

The Garden of Gethsemane

The Cardo – Jerusalem’s Main Street

The Cardo uncovered in the Old City of Jerusalem, was initially built by the Romans, running north to south, beginning at the Damascus gate and ending where today’s Jewish Quarter begins. The second half was an extension built by the Byzantines, which ran up to the Zion Gate area. It was a paved avenue, approximately 22.5 meters wide, with high columns that ran along each side and a tiled roof overhead.

The Cardo was meant for pedestrian traffic and wheeled carts, for small-scale commerce, and as a meeting place for visitors.

Today the remains of the Cardo are open to the public. You can walk its pavement and touch the 2,000-year-old pillars, some of which remain mostly intact. You will also see a mosaic replica of a map of Jerusalem, clearly depicting the Cardo, and big, colorful paintings showing how lively it used to be.

Back in the day, the Cardo was the main road and the center of everything. Jesus and His disciples must have spent a lot of time there, buying food, preaching the gospel, and meeting to fellowship together.

The Cardo, the Jewish Quarter

The Church of the Holy Sepulcher 

Between the winding walls of the Old City’s Christian Quarter stands, tall and proud, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Dating back to the 4th century, it is believed to be the site called Golgotha (which means ‘skull’ in Hebrew), where Jesus was crucified, and the place of his burial and resurrection. The tomb is enclosed by a shrine called Aedicula.

As the New Testament stories tell, Jesus was crucified on a hill with two other men. After His death, He was wrapped with linens and placed in a tomb cut into the rock that was purchased by a rich man named Joseph. After three days, He was resurrected. 

Being there, amid many like-minded Christians, you will feel overwhelmed with reverence as you smell the sweet aromas of anointing oil and incense and contemplate His great act of sacrifice and the miracle of His resurrection. 

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Every place you visit in Jerusalem is extraordinary in itself, but walking where Jesus walked and changed the face of history as we know it is an experience you cannot have any other way.

Our guides will take you on a journey in Jesus’ footsteps, not just in Jerusalem, but through the whole land of Israel. Walk this spiritual journey with us, and discover the divine together.