NEW CHRISTMAS DEVOTIONAL TAKES READERS FROM “ALLELUIA” TO “ZION”

Author Beth Willis Miller’s new book, 26 Devotions Focusing on Christ in the Nativity Alphabet, was inspired by artist Krista Hamrick’s intricately illustrated Nativity Alphabet. The 26-day devotional takes readers from “Alleluia” to “Zion,” combining Scripture, biblical research, practical application, prayer and reflection to keep Jesus Christ at the center of the Christmas season.  Available now on Amazon at this link: https://a.co/d/0gc0YMXT

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW CHRISTMAS DEVOTIONAL INVITES READERS TO DISCOVER CHRIST THROUGH THE “NATIVITY ALPHABET” FROM “ALLELUIA” TO “ZION”

Author Beth Willis Miller pairs Scripture, prayer and practical application with Krista Hamrick’s Nativity Alphabet artwork in a unique 26-day journey through the Christmas story

LAKELAND, Fla. — September 2026 — Just in time for the 2026 Christmas season, author Beth Willis Miller announces the release of her newest devotional, 26 Devotions Focusing on Christ in the Nativity Alphabet, a Scripture-centered journey through 26 words that illuminate the birth, identity and mission of Jesus Christ.

The new book was inspired by artist Krista Hamrick’s original Nativity Alphabet art print. Hamrick’s 26 intricately painted illustrations—each representing a letter of the alphabet and an aspect of the Nativity—captured Miller’s imagination and inspired her to explore the biblical significance behind each word.

“Each of Krista’s illustrations is so special, almost like a tiny stained-glass window,” Miller said. “As I studied the 26 words she illustrated, my heart was drawn to dig deeper into Scripture and write a devotional around each one. My hope is that readers will see beyond the familiar sights and sounds of Christmas and focus their hearts anew on Jesus Christ.”

FROM ALLELUIA TO ZION

Beginning with A for Alleluia and concluding with Z for Zion, the 26-day devotional takes readers on an alphabetical journey through words connected to the Christmas story and the person of Christ:

Alleluia • Behold • Camel • Donkey • East • Fields • Gifts • Holy Night • Immanuel • Journey • Kings • Lion and Lamb • Miracle • Noel • O Little Town • Peace • Quiet • Rejoice • Shepherds • Tidings • Understanding • Victory • Wise Men • Excelsis • Yawn • Zion

Each chapter combines biblical research and devotional reflection with a Practical Application and Personalized Prayer, and Reflection Questions and Takeaways. Readers then move through three concluding reflection prompts—Look Up, Look In and Look Out—designed to help them consider what Scripture reveals about God, how His truth applies personally, and how that truth should influence their relationships with others.

The format makes 26 Devotions Focusing on Christ in the Nativity Alphabet suitable for personal quiet times, Advent and Christmas-season reading, women’s ministries, Bible study groups, families and small groups.

KEEPING CHRIST AT THE CENTER OF CHRISTMAS

While the alphabet provides the framework, Miller says the central subject of every chapter is the same: Jesus Christ.

In the final devotional, “Zion,” Miller reflects on Psalm 9:11: “Sing praises to the Lord who is king on Mount Zion. Tell the nations what he has done.”

The chapter encourages readers to trust God when life feels uncertain and to remember His faithfulness and protection:

“Even though there are problems the size of mountains facing us, we can cry out to the Lord who created the mountains and is able to move them. As we sing praises to Him, and focus on Him and His truth, He will encourage our hearts and help us to tell the nations about the great things He has done!”

The accompanying prayer points readers toward the ultimate message of Christmas—the saving work of the One whose birth Christians celebrate:

“Lord Jesus, King of Zion, I put my trust in You today. You are my security and protection, my shield, my fortress, and my hiding place, and I sing praises to You.”

A MEANINGFUL CHRISTMAS GIFT

The book has already inspired a creative Christmas gift idea.

One reader in Indiana contacted Miller while preparing themed Christmas stockings for her entire family. Her theme for 2026 is the 26 letters of the alphabet, with gifts including Scrabble-tile coasters, Boggle and Bananagrams games, crossword puzzle books—and two of Miller’s alphabetical devotionals: Name Above All Names: Focusing on 26 Alphabetical Names of Christ and the newly released 26 Devotions Focusing on Christ in the Nativity Alphabet.

The idea highlights the book’s potential as a meaningful Christmas stocking stuffer, hostess gift, Bible study gift or Advent-season devotional.

For Miller, however, the greatest hope for the book is not simply that readers will work their way from A to Z, but that every letter will lead them back to Christ.

“My prayer is that these 26 devotionals will help readers slow down during a very busy season and rediscover the wonder of the Nativity,” Miller said. “From Alleluia to Zion, every page ultimately points us to Jesus—the greatest Gift ever given.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Beth Willis Miller is a Christian author whose writing combines biblical study, devotional reflection and practical application to encourage readers to know Christ more deeply and apply the truths of Scripture to everyday life. Her books include Name Above All Names: Focusing on 26 Alphabetical Names of Christ and the newly released 26 Devotions Focusing on Christ in the Nativity Alphabet.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Krista Hamrick is the artist behind the original Nativity Alphabet, a richly detailed collection of 26 illustrations depicting words and images associated with the Nativity and Jesus Christ. Her distinctive artwork provided the creative inspiration for Miller’s new devotional.

AVAILABLE NOW

26 Devotions Focusing on Christ in the Nativity Alphabet by Beth Willis Miller is available now on Amazon at this link: https://a.co/d/0gc0YMXT

The devotional is especially suited for Advent and Christmas reading, individual quiet time, small-group Bible study, gift giving and Christmas stockings.

MEDIA CONTACT

Beth Willis Miller

Author, 26 Devotions Focusing on Christ in the Nativity Alphabet

Email: bethwillismiller@gmail.com

Website: https://bethwillismiller.blogspot.com/

WOW! What a wonderful surprise! 

My new book, 26 DEVOTIONS FOCUSING ON CHRIST IN THE NATIVITY ALPHABET, was listed as a #1 Best Seller on Amazon’s Hot New Releases! It is available now on Amazon at this link https://a.co/d/0gc0YMXT

Available NOW on Amazon at this link https://a.co/d/0gc0YMXT

This beautiful original art print, Nativity Alphabet, by Krista Hamrick so inspired author Beth Willis Miller that she wrote a devotional focusing on each of the 26 words illuminating the birth of Jesus Christ. Each of the 26 illustrations which Krista identified are so special, almost like stained glass windows, as Krista intricately painted each one. Beth's heart was drawn to write a devotional word study based on each of the 26 words illustrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Combining the beauty of Krista's artistic excellence with Beth's research of the 26 Nativity words, this devotional is perfect for individual quiet times or small group Bible studies focusing on the birth of Jesus Christ. Each of the 26 devotionals focusing on the Nativity Alphabet closes with a practical application and personalized prayer, ending with reflection questions and takeaways.

Great Ideas for Christmas Stocking Stuffers! Recently, a lady from Indiana contacted me to say she was preparing Christmas stockings for her whole family. They have a tradition of having the Christmas stocking gifts all related to a theme. This year for 2026, her theme is the letters of the alphabet (26 letters). She made coasters out of Scrabble tiles with words about each person, she bought mini-games of Boggle and Bananagrams, and crossword puzzle books. She also purchased my devotional Name Above All Names: Focusing on 26 Alphabetical Names of Christ and my brand-new book, 26 DEVOTIONS FOCUSING ON CHRIST IN THE NATIVITY ALPHABET, and thought they would be the perfect additions to the stockings!

Excerpt from "Chapter 26: Zion" from Psalm 9:11…

.
ERV: Sing praises to the Lord, who sits as King in Zion. Tell the nations about the great things he has done.
.
Expanded: Sing praises to the Lord who is king on Mount [dwells on] Zion [the location of the Temple]. Tell the nations [among the peoples] what he has done.
.
NCV: Sing praises to the Lord who is king on Mount Zion. Tell the nations what he has done.
.
Practical Application: What does it mean to trust the Lord, the King of Zion? It means looking to Him as the source of our security and putting our faith in the grace, love, power, and protection of God when the inevitable pressures of life come. It means knowing as the psalmist did that as the mountains surround and protect Zion, the city of Jerusalem, God himself surrounds and shields His people. When we trust the Lord, we don’t have to focus on the wicked and what they are doing or might do to us. We don’t have to rehash our own woes. Even though there are problems the size of mountains facing us, we can cry out to the Lord who created the mountains and is able to move them. As we sing praises to Him, and focus on Him and His truth, He will encourage our hearts and help us to tell the nations about the great things He has done!
.
Personalized Prayer: Lord Jesus, King of Zion, I put my trust in You today. You are my security and protection, my shield, my fortress, and my hiding place, and I sing praises to You. When enemies surround me and troubles multiply, help me to remember that you are ever faithful and that you surround and protect me, both now and forever. Thank You for the free gift of salvation, that we are justified on the basis of Your finished work on the Cross. Thank You that, right now, we are under the completely sufficient imputed righteousness of Christ. Because we have placed our trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ, we are redeemed by Your precious blood. The threat of failure, judgment, and condemnation has been removed. Knowing that God’s love for us and approval of us will never be determined by our performance is the most encouraging promise to which we cling—what great things You have done! In Your mighty Name Above All Names—King of Zion, we pray, amen.
.
Reflection Questions and Takeaways:
.
Look Up—meditate on Psalm 9:11 …pray to see what it reveals about the character of God.
.
Look In—as you meditate on Psalm 9:11 …pray to see how you might apply it to your life. Be propelled to ask galvanizing questions about your discoveries: "Because God is_________, I will_____________."
.
Look Out—as you meditate on Psalm 9:11…pray to see how you might apply it to your relationships with others. Let the nature of God impact on every relationship, for your good, and for His glory.  

Krista Hamrick’s beautiful original art print, Nativity Alphabet, has so inspired me.

Each of the 26 words in the Nativity Alphabet are so intricately illustrated, almost like stained glass windows.

My heart has been drawn to write 26 Devotions Focusing on Christ in the Nativity Alphabet.

Day1:  Alleluia

Day2:  Behold

Day3:  Camel

Day4:  Donkey

Day5:  East

Day6:  Fields

Day7:  Gifts

Day 8:  Holy Night

Day 9:  Immanuel

Day10:  Journey

Day11:  Kings

Day12:  Lion and Lamb

Day13:  Miracle

Day14: Noel

Day15:  O Little Town

Day16: Peace

Day17:  Quiet

Day18:  Rejoice

Day19:  Shepherds

Day20:  Tidings

Day21:  Understanding

Day22:  Victory

Day23:  Wise Men

Day24:  Excelsis

Day25:  Yawn

Day 26:  Zion



* If you liked this post, you’ll also love this book – Name Above All Names Devotional: Focusing on 26 Alphabetical Names of Christ

Memorable Moments in the Holy Land Invites Readers on a Faith-Filled Journey

 

WOW! From the small beginning of this blog on October 1, 2009, until August 11, 2026, there have been over One Million Page Views! Praise the Lord!

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Memorable Moments in the Holy Land Invites Readers on a Faith-Filled Journey Through the Places Where the Bible Came to Life

Christian author Beth Willis Miller shares inspiring reflections from multiple pilgrimages that deepen faith, illuminate Scripture, and bring readers closer to the land of the Bible.

LAKELAND, FL — Christian author Beth Willis Miller announces the release of her new inspirational book, “Memorable Moments in the Holy Land,” a heartfelt collection of personal reflections from multiple pilgrimages through the sacred places where the events of Scripture unfolded. Blending biblical history, personal testimony, and devotional insight, the book invites readers to experience the Holy Land in a way that strengthens faith and brings God's Word vividly to life.

From the peaceful shores of the Sea of Galilee to the solemn stillness of the Garden of Gethsemane, each chapter captures meaningful moments from locations central to the Christian faith, including Bethlehem, Capernaum, the Jordan River, the Mount of Olives, the Garden Tomb, and many other biblical sites. Through engaging storytelling and thoughtful reflection, Miller helps readers connect the pages of Scripture with the very places where Jesus lived, taught, ministered, died, and rose again.

The inspiration for the book began in 2000 when Miller traveled to Israel as one of hundreds of women participating in the filming of the Lifeway Bible study “Jesus, the One and Only.” That first pilgrimage ignited a lifelong love for the Holy Land. In the years that followed, she and her husband, Jack Miller, returned on additional pilgrimages with their pastor, Dr. Aaron D. Burgner, and members of Lakes Church, deepening their understanding of Scripture and inspiring the stories and spiritual lessons shared throughout this book.

Rather than serving as a traditional travel guide, “Memorable Moments in the Holy Land” offers readers an invitation to walk spiritually through the land of the Bible. Standing where Jesus taught, watching the sunrise over the Sea of Galilee, praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, and reflecting at the Empty Garden Tomb transformed familiar biblical passages into deeply personal encounters with God's presence. Miller hopes these reflections will inspire readers to experience the same renewed appreciation for Scripture and a deeper relationship with Christ.

Written for Christians, Bible study groups, pastors, ministry leaders, and anyone interested in biblical history or faith-based travel, the book is ideal for those preparing for a pilgrimage as well as readers seeking to enrich their personal devotional life without leaving home. Its devotional format makes it well suited for both individual reading and small-group discussion.

"My prayer is that every reader will discover that the Bible is more than history—it is God's living Word," says Miller. "These sacred places reminded me that every page of Scripture points us to Jesus, and I hope this book encourages others to grow in their faith as they journey through the Holy Land from wherever they are."

About the Author

Beth Willis Miller is a Christian author whose passion for Scripture has been enriched through years of Bible study and repeated pilgrimages to the Holy Land. Her experiences walking the places recorded in the Bible have inspired a deeper love for God's Word and a desire to help others experience its timeless truth. Through “Memorable Moments in the Holy Land,” she invites readers to encounter the wonder of Scripture with fresh eyes and renewed faith.

Book Information

Title: “Memorable Moments in the Holy Land”
Author: Beth Willis Miller

Available now on Amazon: https://a.co/d/03h6VpZS

Media Contact

Beth Willis Miller
Email: bethwillismiller@gmail.com

CONTENTS

1	Sunrise at the Sea of Galilee
2	Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives
3	From Jerusalem Prayer Center to Lakes Church Prayer Room
4	Magdala by the Sea of Galilee
5	Jordan River Baptism
6	Caesarea by the Mediterranean Sea
7	ASK—Standing on Mount Beatitudes
8	The Southern Steps of the Temple in Jerusalem
9	Tabgha by the Sea of Galilee
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20	The Garden Tomb in Jerusalem Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee Who Do You Say That I Am? at Caesarea Philippi Even The Winds and Waves Obey Him Bethlehem—The Shepherds’ Field Beit She’an Crossroads Near Nazareth Temple Mount, Mount Moriah & The Threshing Floor Miraculous Healing at the Pool of Bethesda Elijah on Mount Carmel & Megiddo/Valley of Armageddon The House of Caiaphas in Jerusalem The Western Wall of the Temple in Jerusalem        Video of Lakes Church 2023 Holy Land Pilgramage

THE WESTERN WALL OF THE TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM

The Room of the Last Supper—known as the Cenacle or Upper Room—is located on Mount Zion just outside the Old City walls of Jerusalem, roughly a 15-to-20-minute walk southwest of the Western Wall.

Distance from Western Wall: About 0.8 miles (1.3 km) walking distance.

Building Setup: It sits on the second floor of a medieval building dating back to the Crusader period.

Tomb of David: The ground floor of the same compound houses the traditional site of King David's Tomb.

THE WESTERN WALL OF THE TEMPLE  &
THE ROOM OF THE LAST SUPPER in Jerusalem

 During each Holy Land Pilgrimage our Lakes Church Lead Pastor Dr. Aaron D. Burgner shared with us the biblical and historical significance of The Western Wall of theTemple in Jerusalem. Walking up to the Western Wall, I am struck with the reality of the exact location where I am. When Herod renovated the second temple at the end of the first century before Christ, he shored up the temple plaza on all sides by massive walls, up to six stories high. Although only half that height is visible above ground level today, the Western Wall is still impressive, particularly the 165-foot portion known also as the Wailing Wall. I approach the Western Wall, reach out my hand and touch the unusually smooth surface of these formerly rough stones, made so smooth by so many people touching them over the centuries. This wall would have been just on the other side of the Holy-of-Holies in the Tabernacle. I wrote my prayer, “Lord Jesus Christ, give us a heart and mind which worships You as the One and Only Holy God...” 

          I signed my name and the names of my closest family members, folded the paper and placed it in the small cracks between the smooth stones of the Western Wall, along with thousands of other small pieces of paper placed there each day. Out of all the world, the Jews had been God's chosen people. To the Jews alone had God miraculously appeared in the cloud and in the sea. When the Glory of the Lord filled the temple, God was literally present in the midst of His people! “Destroy this temple,” Jesus said, “and I will raise it again in three days.” But the temple of which Jesus had spoken was His own crucified body. One day it was as dead as the stone covering His tomb, three days later it was brought back to life again by the incomparable power of His Resurrection! And here lies our hope. “Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?” As I walk away from the Western Wall, I have not taken even the first step away from God's Presence—the Spirit of Christ Who dwells in the innermost part of me, taking Authority over my soul—the seat of my emotions, and my body—my fleshly desires and appetites. All Praise, Honor, and Glory to You, my Lord and my Savior Jesus Christ, the One and Only Son of the Living God.
          How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty. I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the Lord. With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God.—Psalm 84:1-2 Because we can worship God anyplace and anytime, we might fail to understand the psalmist’s longing. In Old Testament times a person made a pilgrimage to worship God. It was a yearly event and often involved a lengthy journey. That is why the psalmist sang of a dwelling place where he could be in the presence of the Lord. It’s why he expressed a desire to be even a lowly gatekeeper in God’s house (v. 10) so that he could worship God every single day! We have available to us what the psalmist could only hope for. When Christ hung on the cross, the heavy veil separating the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple ripped from top to bottom. This symbolic act shouted to the world that believers were no longer required to stand at a distance. We can walk into God’s presence and commune with him by name. Today many religions continue to require a pilgrimage to worship their gods. Christ made a way for you by making a pilgrimage of his own—the long, lonely walk to the cross—so that you could praise him wherever you are.
          LORD JESUS, I am thankful that I can worship you right where I am. I will enter your courts with thanksgiving. I will kneel at the mercy seat and find forgiveness. I will call out your name in praise. Lord, I pray for those who do not have intimacy with the living God. You have already made the pilgrimage for them. Open their eyes to see that they can find you right here, right now. Amen.

          Look Up—meditate on Psalm 84:1-2 …pray to see what it reveals about the character of God.
          Look In—as you meditate on Psalm 84:1-2 …pray to see how you might apply it to your life. Be propelled to ask galvanizing questions about your discoveries: "Because God is_________, I will_____________."
          Look Out—as you meditate on Psalm 84:1-2 …pray to see how you might apply it to your relationships with others. Let the nature of God impact on every relationship, for your good, and for His glory.         

* If you liked this post, you will LOVE this new book: "Memorable Moments in the Holy Land," available on Amazon at this link:  https://a.co/d/06G79jQm

 

Video of Lakes Church 2023 Holy Land Pilgramage

HOUSE OF CAIAPHAS & THE FLOOR OF THE FLAGELLATION IN JERUSALEM

House of Caiaphas at the Church of
Saint Peter in Gallicantu & THE FLOOR OF THE FLAGELLATION ALONG THE VIA DOLOROSA in Jerusalem'S OLD CITY

           During each Holy Land Pilgrimage our Lakes Church Lead Pastor Dr. Aaron D. Burgner shared from Psalm 88 as he explained the biblical and historical significance of the House of Caiaphas. 

Video of Lakes Church Lead Pastor Aaron Burgner sharing from Psalm 88

           This church, known as the Church of Saint Peter in Gallicantu (cock's crow in Latin), marks the place of the House of Caiaphas. It's here that Jesus would be tried before Caiaphas, the High Priest. It's here that Jesus would spend the night before His crucifixion in a cold, dark dungeon. It's also here that Peter would deny Christ three times. We experienced the prison cell where Jesus was likely beaten, and the dungeon where Jesus spent the night before being crucified. It has rings in the walls where prisoners would be tied up and beaten. This is likely where Jesus was beaten before being thrown in the dungeon below it. We could see the path Jesus would have walked, going to Gethsemane from the Upper Room and returning under arrest from Gethsemane to here, including the steps beside the church that was used for ascending and descending from Mount Zion to the Kidron Valley. Jesus and His disciples most likely used them as they traveled from the Upper Room, where they had celebrated the Passover meal, to the Garden of Gethsemane. Later, Christ would use these same steps as He was brought from Gethsemane, which led through the Kidron Valley, to the House of Caiaphas. In the Courtyard of the church is a statue that recalls the events of Peter’s denial of Jesus. It shows Peter, the rooster that crowed, a maid, a servant, and a Roman soldier.

          Some people refer to a visit to the Holy Land as the fifth gospel. I guess it’s because everything you read about in the Bible comes to life when you walk where Jesus walked. Visiting the Holy Land engages not only one’s thoughts and emotions, but also the senses. Seeing the cities and towns where narratives in Scripture took place, hearing the bleating sheep on the hills outside Jerusalem, sitting on the same hillside where Jesus preached, and smelling the sea where he calmed the storm, makes those passages you’ve read countless times come to life. After his arrest, Jesus was taken to the home of Caiaphas, the high priest. Caiaphas was one of those behind the plot to have Jesus killed (John 18:14, Matthew 26:3-4). Peter stood out in the courtyard and waited to see what would happen. We went to that courtyard where a statue of a rooster now stands. We then went to an underground prison beneath Caiaphas’ home where Jesus was likely held the night of his arrest. It was a deep, dark pit. There was one light dimly illuminating the room for us, but I could easily imagine what it would have been like turned off. With our Lakes Church members crowded inside, our Lead Pastor Aaron Burgner read Psalm 88 and prayed. Reading the psalm in the place where Jesus spent his final night before going to the cross, struck me in a way it hadn’t before. “You have put me in the depths of the pit, in the regions dark and deep. Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves” (Psalm 88:6-7).
          Psalm 88 is the darkest of the psalms in the Psalter. Unlike other laments, it doesn’t end with words of praise. Despite its darkness, the psalm has brought me hope over the years when I’ve found myself in my own place of darkness. The mere fact that the psalm is in included in the Bible, and in the songbook of God’s people no less, tells me how compassionate our God is. He knows how fallen our world is. He knows our pain and invites us to share it with him. Our grief and sorrow isn’t neat and tidy. Sometimes we can’t even put our thoughts and emotions into words. But no matter how dark our emotions, we need to cry out to the God who hears us, for he alone is our salvation. As Pastor Matthew Henry commented, “before he begins his complaint, he calls God the God of his salvation, which intimates both that he looked for salvation, bad as things were, and that he looked up to God for the salvation and depended upon him to be the author of it.” Like all of Scripture, each psalm has a here and now meaning for the author who wrote it. Psalm 88 was written by Heman, one of Israel’s worship leaders. As a worship leader, he wrote songs to help God’s people sing to God during all of life’s circumstances, both in the joys and in the sorrows. In Psalm 88, we can see that the psalmist obviously endured a significant trial in his life. He was in despair. He cried out to God day and night. He felt the weight of God’s judgement and the abandonment of his friends. God seemed far away—so far, darkness had become his only friend (v. 18).

            When we left the House of Caiaphas, we walked to the “floor of the flagellation” which refers to the “Lithostrotos”—an ancient stone-paved Roman courtyard uncovered beneath the Sanctuary of the Flagellation and the Convent of Ecce Homo along the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem's Old City, where Pastor Aaron Burgner shared the details of what Christ suffered there. 

Video of Pastor Aaron Burgner sharing from the Floor of the Flagellation

These stones bear ancient markings that may include games played by Roman soldiers, lending credence to the Gospel accounts of the soldiers mocking Jesus before his crucifixion.

           When we left the House of Caiaphas, we walkd to the “floor of the flagellation” which refers to the “Lithostrotos”—an ancient stone-paved Roman courtyard uncovered beneath the Sanctuary of the Flagellation and the Convent of Ecce Homo along the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem's Old City, where Pastor Aaron Burgner shared the details of what Christ suffered there. Christian tradition associates these stone floors with the pavement where Jesus was tried and scourged. This location places visitors at the traditional Second Station of the Cross, where tradition holds that two pivotal events of the Passion occurred: Jesus’ flagellation by Roman soldiers and his formal condemnation to death by crucifixion. The monastery sits atop what archaeologists believe may be remnants of the ancient Antonia Fortress, the Roman military barracks that once housed Pontius Pilate’s tribunal. Access to the church requires walking through the narrow stone streets of the Old City. The Church of the Flagellation commemorates the biblical account of Jesus’ scourging as described in all four Gospels, though with varying degrees of detail. According to Matthew 27:26, Mark 15:15, and John 19:1, Pontius Pilate ordered Jesus to be flogged before his crucifixion, a standard Roman practice that typically preceded execution. The Greek term “phragellōo” used in the Gospels refers specifically to the brutal Roman scourging with a flagrum, a whip embedded with metal balls and bone fragments designed to tear flesh. Archaeological excavations conducted beneath the nearby Church of the Condemnation have uncovered an extensive area of Roman flagstones, identified by some researchers as the “Lithostrotos” or stone pavement mentioned in John 19:13. These stones bear ancient markings that may include games played by Roman soldiers, lending credence to the Gospel accounts of the soldiers mocking Jesus before his crucifixion. The discovery of first-century pottery sherds and coins in the area provides additional context for understanding the site’s occupation during the time of Christ. 

          But also like all of Scripture, Jesus fulfills Psalm 88. As Luke 24:27 tells us, when Jesus walked on the road to Emmaus with some of the disciples following his resurrection, “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” In Psalm 88, we hear Jesus with his friends in the Garden before his arrest echoing the psalmist, “For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol” (v. 3). Jesus stepped into the darkness on our behalf. The night he spent in the pit was only the beginning of all that he would endure for us. He felt the full weight of God’s wrath at the cross in our stead. “Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves” (Psalm 88:7). He too was abandoned by his closest friends (v.8). Christ took on the curse of death, the darkest of all pits. After my visit to that underground pit beneath the home of Caiaphas, I now read Psalm 88 with greater joy than ever before. I still rejoice that I can come to the Father and voice my sorrows, no matter how dark. I still turn to him in lament and ask for his help and rescue, trusting in him as my salvation. But I also rejoice, knowing that my Savior endured greater darkness—God’s wrath for sin—on my behalf. When it seems as though I’m stuck in a pit of despair, I remember Jesus and the lengths he went to for my redemption. He went to dark places I will never have to go. And for that I rejoice.
          God offers a kind of rest that is different from what our own minds would conceive. God offers us rest in the midst of our distress. It is the only true rest—an inner rest that comes from abandoning ourselves to the Lord and entrusting to him whatever troubles or problems are overwhelming us. Instead of flying away, run straight into the arms of God, and rest in his care and love for you today. God’s promises in the Bible gives us assurance that we are not alone in this fearful place. God has promised to be with you in every situation and to never leave you, so you can put your trust in him. He is the source of our courage and security. He can turn your fear into faith.

          OH, LORD, I do want my problems solved and my troubles removed, but from the crushing weight of my burdens, I turn my eyes to you. I entrust this perplexity to you. Enable me to find my rest in you, to discover a place of deeper abandonment and security in your everlasting love. You are my only rock. You are my only rest. Lord, you have said that when I’m afraid, at the very point of my anxiety, I can put my trust in you and experience your protection. I thank you for your Word that promises your presence with me. You are my heavenly Father, so please hold my hand in dark and frightening circumstances, and help me to trust you and walk close to you today. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

          Look Up—meditate on Psalm 88 …pray to see what it reveals about the character of God.
          Look In—as you meditate on Psalm 88 …pray to see how you might apply it to your life. Be propelled to ask galvanizing questions about your discoveries: "Because God is_________, I will_____________."
          Look Out—as you meditate on Psalm 88 …pray to see how you might apply it to your relationships with others. Let the nature of God impact on every relationship, for your good, and for His glory.

* If you liked this post, you will LOVE this new book: "Memorable Moments in the Holy Land," available on Amazon at this link:  https://a.co/d/06G79jQm

Video of Lakes Church 2023 Holy Land Pilgramage