At The Holy Land Experience, every where you look, there’s a Jesus.
He greets you at the opening gates here, while he warns of the fact that TBN will video tape you at will and use your image for promotion whether you like it or not. I guess they figured you’ll take it better coming from The Lord:

He’s tucked in the prayer gardens:

He is calming the raging seas:

He is in the foliage:

He is cardboard cut out ready for a Kodak moment:

In this place, that my daughter in law calls “Jesus World” the Messiah is everywhere. I enjoyed this immensely, blog friends.

Willie and I got there at 10 a.m. when the gates opened (they close at 6 p.m. Admission is $35 per person) and went first to a show called The Four Women of Jesus. The Holy Land Experience is very big on shows. Much drama and theatrics – all of which was well done. I found the admission reasonable as I would have paid $35 just to see a really good show, much less a park full of lurking Jesuses.
The Jesus in The Four Women of Jesus was the best Jesus ever. He looked much like the stereotypical Messiah, thin face, long brown hair. His voice was calming and beckoning and spiritual. Most importantly, we found out that Jesus is a Tar Heel fan as he was wearing white robes with a Carolina Blue shoulder sash. If my husband was not already a believer, he would have been at that point.
The show was wonderful. We were part of a crowd of about 300 watching and about midway through, most of us were crying. I have to say, sitting in a crowd of blubbering believers was pretty cool. It was kind of like sitting in a crowd of slightly tipsy sinners – but without the karaoke.
After the show, we walked around looking at some of the various biblical stuff as we decided what to do next. Then suddenly, there was Jesus – the actor who was in the show. He was heading in the back door of some type of rock structure, still in his Jesus garb and carrying a duffle bag and a blanket. I immediately asked if I could get a picture. He kindly responded that he had to get to another show, but we’d try and get a picture together later. I was, of course, OK with this. I mean, it’s Jesus. You’re kind of on his schedule.
So we walked around and looked at many things.
Angles.

Moses. Or Charlton Heston. You decide.

Soldiers. With large swords.

Calling the place an experience is the perfect word. It is not an amusement park. There are no thrill rides, no water features (there’s a cool fountain in the center and little babbling brooks running throughout) no beer gardens or roller coasters.
There were many people dressed like this:

Who helped you find your way around the park. They all greeted you with love and closed with “have a blessed day” or “Shalom.”
There are scriptures hanging everywhere, faith-based music flowing throughout the park and there are “prayer gardens” where you can wander among the flowers and brooks and angels statues and The 10 Commandments and the Jesuses and pray. I loved these places and have already placed my order with my husband for one at our house.

At some point, we wandered into this rock. We walked through its dimly lit hall and found ourselves inside of a cave that was serene and ornamentally decorated. A lady, dressed in the biblical garb, greeted us. She had a basket full of little pieces of bread, and another basket with these individual tiny wooden goblets filled with grape juice.
We were about to have communion. Just like at The Last Supper.
She told us to sit at a long wooden table with wooden seats and wait. Which we did. Pretty soon a guy came out, also dressed in the garb, and begin talking to us about what communion is and why it is so significant. Then we prayed and when we opened our eyes, there was Jesus – the one from the show.
Now, blog friends, I have been through several intense spiritual moments in my life, but nothing compared to taking communion with Jesus. Having him lead you through the steps as he spoke the words from the scripture and then saying a gentle prayer for you was surreal. I was quite stirred up inside from the symbolism and also filled with questions. I so wanted to interview Jesus. How do you play Jesus all day long? How do you deal with the public? Do some people think you’re really him? Do you really believe or are you just an actor? Do you ever pretend to be Jesus when you’re not at work? Does it freak people out? Does it help you get out of speeding tickets?
After the communion, they guide you back out into the sunlight of Orlando. We stood there for a moment catching our bearings and when we turned around, there was Jesus. I asked if I could get a picture. He said “Of course. That’s why I am here.” And then I said “You are the best Jesus ever.” And he laughed and I all I could think was, I made Jesus laugh. That’s so cool.
So we took a picture.

I was able to ask him a few questions, but sadly, never got his name. He’s been playing Jesus for most of his life. He is from Orlando, then moved away for awhile, then moved back. As far as staying in character, he said he is constantly in prayer about it and tries to really ask God to do what he wants to do for those who visit The Holy Land. This was the most wonderful answer.
I didn’t get to ask about speeding tickets or freaking people out as Jesus is very busy and had multitudes bless.
We are safely back home in Hubert where the real Jesus lives in my heart and does not do interviews. He used too, but I really pressed him on the “water into wine” thing once. I don’t think he’s over it.