INTRO: What would it have been like walking with the Lord? It would have been hard, dusty, and even difficult at times. It would have possibly been dangerous because of thieves, animals, terrain, weather, etc. there were times when it probably was "crowded" and others when there was solitude. No doubt there were stretches that were breath taking and others that were drab or non-descript. But that is not what would have made walking with Him great -- it would have been His presence that was enlightening and encouraging.

Arthur Blessit did research that according to his calculations showed Jesus walked 21,525 miles in his lifetime. He figured a total of 3,125 miles during His public ministry. Believe me, there were many things that could have been seen and learned during this time. These included His trip back from Egypt, at least 3 trips a year to Jerusalem for certain Jewish festivals. Regardless of his accuracy on his figures, it is evident Jesus did some walking. If we could have walked with Him during His ministry we would have seen some remarkable things.

You know what, I have seen some myself. I expect to see great things in the future too. When He comes for me, it will be great to be at His side. AMEN!

Last week we look at Journeying Across Life's Seas With Jesus. We look at how we needed to be part of Jesus' crew. We saw how life can be successful through Him. We saw how our obedience to His commands bring great blessings. Surely we need to sail with the Lord in this day and age.

Today, I want to just look at a few things we might have seen and learned had we walked along with Jesus during His ministry.

Gary Marcum - New Beginnings Church - 030506am

John 9:1 - 41 ¹And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. ²And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? ³Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. ⁴I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. ⁵As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. ⁶When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, ⁷And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing. ⁸The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged? ⁹Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he. ¹⁰Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened? ¹¹He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight. ¹²Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not. ¹³They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind. ¹⁴And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. ¹⁵Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see. ¹⁶Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them. ¹⁷They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet. ¹⁸But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight. ¹⁹And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see? ²⁰His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: ²¹But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself. ²²These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. ²³Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him. ²⁴Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner. ²⁵He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. ²⁶Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes? ²⁷He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples? ²⁸Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses’ disciples. ²⁹We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is. ³⁰The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. ³¹Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. ³²Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. ³³If this man were not of God, he could do nothing. ³⁴They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out. ³⁵Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? ³⁶He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? ³⁷And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. ³⁸And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him. ³⁹And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. ⁴⁰And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? ⁴¹Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

The mileage from Jerusalem to Nazareth and Capernaum and vice versa is: Approximately 120 miles (193 km)! The most direct route would be about 90 miles, however this would be through Samaria. This was an area between Jerusalem and the Galilee area to the north. The Jews as a whole hated the Samaritans and they the Jews. Travel through Samaria was to be avoided because of the mountainous conditions and the racial hatred. The travel route was from Jerusalem down to the Jordan valley ‘the Jericho Road’. Then across the Jordan River into the area know as Perea (part of present day Jordan and once a part of Israel with two and a half tribes of Israel living there). One would then go north on the east side of the River Jordan on up into Decpolis still on the east side of the River Jordan. Just below the Sea of Galilee the route crossed back over the River Jordan and then split. One route went on Northwest to Nazareth the other route passing along the West side of the Sea of Galilee past Tiberias and on through Magdala to Capernaum. Both these routes are about the same mileage.

Along the roads there were no toilet facilities, water or other travel needs. Life was tuff in those days for the traveler. In the summer time the heat could reach up to 120 F. and in the winter there is often snow along that route. The way included mountains, valleys, rivers, desert and wilderness. There were bandits and killers hiding along the wayside. For those who could afford it a donkey was brought along to help carry supplies.

Every devout religious Jew was to be at least ‘three’ times a year Jerusalem. "Three times in the year all your men shall appear before the Lord, the Lord God of Israel". (Exodus 34: 23) Foremost among the many religious feasts was the ‘Passover’. Surely both Mary and Jesus attended the yearly Passover. Remember in Jesus public ministry of 3 years He was once at "Feast of Booths" (John 7:2) in Jerusalem and once He was at the "Feast of Dedication" (John 10:22-39). He was in Jerusalem during that 3-year period at least three times for the "Passover" (John 2:13-22; John 5:1-47; John 12: 12-19). You have Jesus during His 3 year public ministry making ‘at least’ five separate trips to Jerusalem from Galilee. Under the law He would have made at least 9 trips to Jerusalem from Galilee. Five are listed but four are not spoken about yet surly He made them as required by the law.

At the age of about two Jesus would have been carried by Mary and Joseph from Bethlehem across the desert to Egypt the 350 miles that they traveled. However as a 4 or 5-year-old child He would have ‘walked’ from Egypt across the Sinai Desert and on to Nazareth. Jesus walked from Egypt to Nazareth for a total of about 400 miles!

Every devout religious male Jew was to be at least ‘three’ times a year at Jerusalem. "Three times in the year all your men shall appear before the Lord, the Lord God of Israel". (Exodus 34: 23)

Please study the scriptures and notes toward the end of this article!

During the early years of Jesus from 5 to 12 Joseph would have gone to the required 3 festivals each year. I believe I can say with confidence that Jesus as a devout Jewish boy would have attended these with Joseph. It was required for every ‘man’ after the age of 12 or 13 however you count it.

Going from Nazareth to Jerusalem ‘at least’ three times a year for the Passover from the age of 5 till the age 30 when He begin His public ministry. This is 240 miles (386 km) round trip. Jesus walked from Nazareth to Jerusalem and back at least 3 times a year during this 25-year period. That would be 3 x 240 miles, which is 720 miles (1,158 km). 720 x 25 = 18,000 miles (28,967 km)

Jesus started out from Nazareth and traveled to the wilderness of Judea. While there He was with John the Baptist. Jesus was also baptized and tempted of the Devil. Then Jesus went to Galilee and was in Capernaum and Cana. This would be one round trip of at least 240 miles (386 km). (John 1:19-28 through John 2:12)

Next Jesus goes from Galilee to Jerusalem and returns to Galilee. (John 2:13- through 4:54) this is another 240 miles (386 km).

Back to Jerusalem (John 5:1-47) and return to Galilee for another 240 miles (386 km). Jesus is next again in Jerusalem for the ‘Feast of Booths’ (John 7:2) and back for another 240 miles (386 km). There is the ‘Feast of Dedication’ that Jesus attended for another round trip of 240 miles (386 km). Then Jesus does a final walk from Galilee to Jerusalem to be crucified. (Luke 17:11) This is 120 miles (193 km). As stated earlier and in the studies at the end of this article Jesus would have made at least 9 trips to Jerusalem and return during this three year period for Feast. Five are listed and four are not. Therefore one must add the additional four trips for a total of 240 miles x 4 = 960 miles (1,544 km).

Total Miles from Nazareth or Capernaum to Jerusalem and return is 2,280 miles (3,669 km) during His 3 year ministry.

Now let’s take a look at the other trips that Jesus would have walked to. Jesus made one circuit trip from Capernaum to Cana and Nazareth and return. (60 miles, 96 km) John 2 1-11

Another circuit trip was to Nain and return to Capernaum. (70 miles, 112 km) Luke 7:11

There is a very long trip by Jesus as He leaves from Capernaum and goes north up into Phoenicia to the cities of Tyre and Sidon (present day Lebanon). Then He loops back south around the Sea of Galilee and into the area of Decapolis and back north to Capernaum. Depending on which way Jesus got to Tyre and Sidon, the mileage would be about 85 miles (136 km) north of Capernaum. Then count about 120 miles (193 km) back around the Sea of Galilee to Decapolis then back to Capernaum would be about 50 miles (80 km). Mark 7:24-37 and Matt. 15:21-39 On this one trip Jesus walked about 255 miles (410 km)!

Then Jesus went almost immediately on another trip from Magdala up to the region and cities of Caesarea Philippi north of Capernaum and the Sea of Galilee in the mountains as it goes up to Mt. Hermon. That is about 50 miles (80 km) north so the round trip would be at least 100 miles (160 km). Matt. 16:13-28 and Mark 8:27-30

Again almost immediately Jesus leaves with His disciples on a trip to what we believe is Mt. Tabor (the mount of transfiguration) Matt. 17:1-13 and Mark 2:13 this walk would be about 60 miles (96 km) round trip.

The above trips are just the longest trips that we have a record of in the northern area of Israel as He based out of Capernaum. It does not include the short trips to nearby cities. Also it does not include any mileage for such verses like this; "Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom"…Matt.9:35.

Time and again we see Jesus in other cities surrounding the Sea of Galilee and Capernaum I do not see any way that this would be any less that 100 miles walking total (160 km). So I will use this figure.

Now lets look at Judea and the area near Jerusalem. Not counting the trips to and from Jerusalem for Galilee lets look at trips recorded where Jesus left Jerusalem and returned from that area.

Jesus is in Jerusalem and then sends out the 70 followers to go before Him into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. Luke 10 1-37 This is believed to be Judea. We then see Him back at Bethany then Jesus is in Perea, which is across the River Jordan. Then in Jericho and back in a big loop. Also there are many trips by Jesus from Jerusalem to Bethany and vice versa. Most of this is recorded in Luke 10th chapter through Luke 21st chapter. The area of Perea is across the River Jordan for a distance of about 25 miles (40 km). He went into Perea, which is very large. Let’s just say he went 25 miles (40 km) deep into the territory. It would be at least 100 miles (160 km) round trip and yet Jesus went into many cities and villages.

It would think the most conservative estimate would be to say that all these trips combined would be about 200 miles (321 km).

Grand total of miles Jesus walked in His 33 years on earth while traveling on trips:

• 400 miles: Jesus walked from Egypt to Nazareth.
• 18,000 miles: Jesus walked from Nazareth to Jerusalem And return by age 30.
• 3,125 miles: Jesus walked during His 3-year public Ministry.
• Grand Total Miles Jesus walked on trips! 21,525 Miles (34,640 km)

An average of 20 miles (32 km) a day on all His journeys would mean that Jesus spent at least 1,076 days and nights on the road in his life! This is a total of Two Years, 346 days on the road in his life! All these miles He walked by the age of 33.

This means the Jesus ‘walked’ ‘Almost’ the distance around the world!

Please remember this! The above mileage concerning Jesus is the most conservative possible. Here is what John one of Jesus twelve disciples writes in the Book of John chapter 21 verse 25 "And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen"

Looking at the above mileage Jesus walked and knowing that He traveled much more than listed. I personally believe He walked the distance around the world that He had made with the Father and the Holy Spirit. "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men! (John 1:1-4)

Without a doubt Jesus taught, preached, healed and ministered in more places and more often than listed in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. I have chosen not to speculate or include any miles that cannot be reasonably backed up with scripture from the Holy Bible. I pray that this look at the walking miles of Mary the Mother of Jesus and Jesus will help you to see both of them in a more realistic and clear light. Most of the writings about both fail to consider how much time they spent walking and traveling in tuff conditions in the Middle East. Jesus walked the areas that now include the five nations of Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Israel and Lebanon.

Jesus walking and ministry stretched south to north from Egypt (Nile, to Sidon, Lebanon) a distance of 436 miles (701 km)! He walked from the Mediterranean Sea inland at least as far as 100 miles (160 km)!

May the Holy Spirit open our understanding to see Jesus truly as He Was and Is. God bless you in your ‘walk’ of ‘following Jesus’.

Remember, the longest mile Jesus walked was the last one ‘to Calvary where He was crucified on the Cross for you and me! He walked the last mile ‘for you’! Jesus has ascended into Heaven and opened the way for you to ‘come on in’. It was your sins and mine that He carried to the cross so you may be forgiven and that you may know Him.

From Arthur Blessit