I know a guy who has had the privilege of traveling in and around Jerusalem. Many times, during our men’s Bible study group, he will give us insight into certain places where Jesus has allegedly been. He will describe the scene to us. I’m sure some of the places are accurate, and Jesus was certainly there, but I have to think that some of the other places are nothing more than wishful thinking, or to get a few bucks out of tourists.

Perhaps I am weird or something, but I have never been one to want to be where someone else has “once” been. I mean, I have seen where the Wright brothers first took flight, been in the church where Paul Revere saw how many lanterns were hanging to know if the British were coming by land or by sea. I have been to other places, too, where famous people once allegedly walked, but I wasn’t really moved.

What would excite me is if I were at those famous locations “with” the individual or persons who made it famous! I can’t imagine the expressions on the Wright brothers’ faces when their theory on how to make an airplane fly worked. Can’t you just see Lazarus when he hobbled out of the tomb alive again? Or the tears as they flowed from the woman caught in adultery, and she realizes she has been forgiven? What about eating fish and bread that Jesus blessed, and it multiplied?

I guess what I am saying is I would rather be “with” Jesus and walk beside him than be where He might have been so many years ago. There is nothing better than being in the presence of God and feeling Jesus by your side. I desire to always be where Jesus is, for I know, and am confident that He is always with me. Now that moves me!

And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Mat. 28:20b (NLT)

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