Today was all about Jesus in Jerusalem. The city he loved. The city he wept over. The city whose destruction he prophesied.
Mount of Olives
Jesus was lifted up and will return right here. It also happens to have an amazing view of Jerusalem, but much more important is the fact that Jesus will return right here!
We studied some scriptures that describe Jesus being lifted up, and that he will return.
Joh 12:32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."
Act 1:8-9 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.
Zec 14:4 On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward.
Of course, before he ascended, he charged the disciples, and, of course, all of us, with the great commission. Whenever we study the time in between his resurrection and his ascension, we remember his charge to us, while he is away.
Mat 28:18-20 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
We then walked down the Palm Sunday road towards the garden of Gethsemane.
Garden of Gethsemane
Here, there is one main site where all of the tourists go. It is well manicured, paved, roped off, and crowded. People shuffle through and look at all old olive trees, but it is not a very good place for reflection and contemplation. If you know the right people, there are a couple of locations that are private and more like a garden would look like. We found one of these a little up the hill that our tour guides have a relationship with the gardener. Here we spent a half hour, praying and reflecting on what happened here. It is so moving to be in this place. We also enjoyed communion as a group.
St Anne’s Church / Pools of Bethesda
Saint Ann’s is a crusader para church, which makes it one of the oldest churches around. It is known for its acoustics. Because of the way the ceiling is designed, there is a full seven seconds sustained reverb. It is a beautiful place to come and sing an a cappella worship song or hymn.
As you walk outside, there is an active excavation of the pools of Bethesda. This is where the healing in John chapter 5 took place. This is was not living water but a pagan temple to Aescalepius. And this is an area where we need archaeology to fill in the gaps that the Bible does not mention. The original audience likely knew the pools Bethesda were not Jewish, but this can be lost on us.
There was a larger one of these in Pergamum that the church there had to be around.
Points from the site:
- The pools are next to temple where those needing healing can’t go.
- Jesus sends man born blind not here but way down to Siloam.
- The healing in John 5 has nothing to do with water.
- "Do you want to be healed?" Almost sounds mocking. But the man doesn’t answer question.
- The man knew to go to the temple once he was healed. He had been taught the truth
- Jesus only picked one and not others. God is still at work even when He doesn’t do the things we want.
Via Dolorosa
We walked the traditional path brim the Antonia Fortress to the Holy Sepulcher. The way is marked by 14 Stations of the Cross, which commemorates various events (some biblical, others traditional).
Holy Sepulcher
Not as well preserved as church of the Nativity. It was completely destroyed by Muslims in 1009, which was the excuse to launch the Crusades. We read Mt 27:45. John 19:35. Mt 28.
Southern Steps
Where you can touch fulfilled prophecy. Not one stone left on another. These are the recently excavated first century stones, which we believe were thrown down from the top by the conquering Romans.
Where you can follow in his literal footsteps on the first century steps leading to the temple
This was the primary passageway to, and from the temple. Jesus and the disciples unquestionably walked these steps and went through these gates, many times.
This is also the probable area where the church was born. Given the numbers, it is unlikely this could have occurred inside of a house. Around this area are many Mikvot (ritual baths) which would have been used to baptize new believers according to Acts two. Our charge is not only to walk in his literal footsteps, but also follow in his way and the way of disciples. The Talmidim Way.
We concluded with a farewell Israeli dinner in the Old City.
I hope you enjoyed reading these updates as much as I enjoy creating them. One day soon, we will all get the chance to be here and experience it in person together!
שׁאלו שׁלום ירושׁלם ישׁליו אהביך׃
יהי־שׁלום בחילך שׁלוה בארמנותיך׃
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem - those who love you will prosper.
May there be peace within your walls and prosperity in your palaces. Psalms 122:6-7