Walking Where Jesus Walked with Jason Butler (Part 1)Walking Where Jesus Walked with Jason Butler (Part 1)
Crossroads with Jenny Bushkell
Pastor and counsellor Jason Butler shares his first-hand experiences from a recent trip to Israel, focusing on Messianic Jewish believers, spiritual warfare and the living reality of Jesus in the land. Jenny and Jason reflect on persecution, prayer and how visiting biblical sites deepened their understanding of Scripture and faith.
25:03•24 Jul 2026
Walking Where Jesus Walked: Faith, Warfare and Hope in Israel
Episode Overview
- Messianic Jewish believers in Israel often face rejection from orthodox Jews, misunderstanding from Christians, and hostility from others, yet remain faithful to Jesus.
- Small persecuted congregations show strong unity and love, resembling how the early church might have functioned under pressure.
- Praying intentionally before and during the trip was seen as vital preparation for the intense spiritual warfare in Israel.
- Visiting biblical locations like the Sea of Galilee made familiar Bible stories feel concrete and immediate rather than distant and abstract.
- Despite war and tragedy, Jason reports that Jesus is being proclaimed in Israel and that Christian service to communities is opening hearts.
“The narrative that's not being talked about is how much Jesus is alive and well in his home country, the places where he did ministry.”
How do people find hope in the darkest times? This conversation on *Crossroads with Jenny Bushkell* follows pastor, counsellor and author Jason Butler as he shares what it was like to walk where Jesus walked in Israel, right in the middle of an active war.
Jason has just returned from his first trip to the land he calls “the epicentre of our faith” and, rather than offering a touristy rundown of sites, he talks about the people who left the deepest mark on him: Messianic Jews—Jewish believers in Jesus—living under constant pressure. He explains how they’re “kind of hated by everyone”, rejected by orthodox Jews, misunderstood by many Christians, and surrounded by a Muslim majority, yet still faithfully sharing Jesus in their communities.
You’ll hear Jason describe real, present-day persecution, from families turning their backs on new believers to congregations having their meeting places firebombed. At the same time, he points out the strong sense of community and love these small fellowships show, saying it felt like watching what the first church might have been like: tight knit, sacrificial and fiercely committed to one another.
The episode also offers vivid moments from the trip itself—sitting on a boat on the Sea of Galilee, seeing how a small gust of wind can suddenly whip up waves, and then connecting that scene straight back to familiar Gospel stories. Jenny and Jason also talk about spiritual warfare, preparing in prayer for the trip, and the very different spiritual “feel” between peaceful Galilee and fast-paced Jerusalem.
Threaded through everything is a clear message: Jesus is “alive and well in his home country”, and God is working even through tragedy like the 7 October attacks. If you’ve ever wondered whether your prayers matter or if faith can hold under pressure, this conversation might spark some fresh questions—and maybe a new habit of praying for believers in Israel. What could your next step of faith look like today?
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