Erev Tov Family and Friends,

Erev Tov means good evening in Hebrew. This message comes to you from the Holy Land as Aileen, myself and 29 others are literally walking in the footsteps of Jesus.

Allow me to share our experience so far using this passage as a foundation.

“On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.”  John‬ ‭20‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ NIV

“Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.””  John‬ ‭20‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ NIV

“A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 

“Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!””  John‬ ‭20‬:‭26‬-‭28 NIV

The disciples had been walking with Jesus for three years. With Him they felt safe. Without Him…

They locked the door. They were anxious, not knowing what would become of them. Were the Jewish leaders searching for them? If caught, would they suffer the same fate as Jesus?

Then Jesus showed up. And in an instant, all was well.

Today, we live in a similar state. Rather than worrying about Jewish leaders killing us, we worry about a virus. And due to economic and geopolitical instability, many of us are anxious because no one can tell us where this world is headed.

But for Aileen and I, something miraculous happened on the Sabbath. In short, we both experienced the peace and joy that came over the disciples. Why? Because just as He did with the disciples, Jesus showed up.

One could feel Jesus’ presence when we visited sites said to be where He fed the five thousand, gave His sermon on the mount, preached at synagogues in Capernaum and Magdala (hometown of Mary Magdalene), healed Peter’s mother-in-law, and forgave Peter thrice.

As these sites brought the stories of our Lord and Savior to life, we were left asking – why worry when Jesus is at our side? 

This pilgrimage is reminding all of us to focus on Jesus and nothing else.

And that when we do, He will give us peace that transcends all understanding and renew our courage and strength to carry on the good fight.

In love always,