Today was our last ‘big day’ on the tour. We were off at 7:30 again this morning, on our way to Temple Mount. We entered the Old City of Jerusalem via the Dung Gate, went through security (just like at the airport), then on up the ramp the Temple Mount (not what the Muslims call it, but what we know it by). This was quite an experience. While making our way up the ramp, there were these big clear plastic things all stacked up near the entrance to Temple Mount. Someone asked what they were and I answered, “Riot shields, just in case.” Or, they could also probably be used as toboggans when it snows in Jerusalem–double-purpose shields, I’m sure. Anyway, all was quiet on the way up today, but got a bit noisy once we got up onto the Mount itself. As Malcolm had us seated and was talking to us, we noticed there were a group of women studying near us–a site that I’ve never seen before on Temple Mount. Malcolm explained that some very wealthy sheiks are financing some of their women to come to Jerusalem and study. And they’re very serious about their studies. All of a sudden they all (probably a couple dozen or more) started yelling something; Malcolm explained that they were yelling something positive about ‘Allah’ like ‘Allah is Great’ or something to that affect. Why did they start yelling? There was a group that was Jewish who came up on Temple Mount for a visit … and that was their way of welcoming them (just kidding, of course)! Next, we looked over the mosque that is there on the south end of Temple Mount–once the headquarters (during the Crusades) of the Knights Templar.
Malcolm giving a short lecture up on Temple Mount…
We then moved across Temple Mount to see the washing station for ritual washing, the outside of the Golden Dome (a shrine, not a mosque), and also the dome that is on the side of the Golden Dome known as David’s Court–you know, where King David threatened to cut the child in two (or was that Solomon)? Oh, is that not right? That would be one of the differences between our Holy Bible and the Koran. Interesting… We proceeded down a set of stairs on the eastern side of Temple Mount to another level where we could see the Eastern Gate, then exited off of Temple Mount through the Sheep’s Gate.
After leaving the Temple Mount, we went to see the Pool of Bethesda, right beside the best preserved example of a Crusader church, the Church of Saint Anne. The story of the Pool of Bethesda takes place in John, Chapter 5. Here, Jesus heals a lame man. He lay under one of the five porches there, but when the water (living water) stirred, he had no one to help him into it. Jesus helped him out…
Right next door was the Church of St. Anne, as I mentioned before. This church has such incredible acoustics! There is an echo in there that repeats itself 24 times. Maria led our group in a couple of choruses, letting the echo ring after a short section of each. What an experience! (I think Dave Walker even got a video of this…)
After spending some time at Saint Anne’s, we went down the road to what was once the Antonia Fortress, the Roman fortress attached to Temple Mount in Jesus’ day. This is where Jesus would have been taken at least once to be beaten, prior to his crucifixion. One the road was found some stones that had carved in them ‘The Game of Kings’ which involved dice. These stones also had carved in them a scorpion–the mark of the Roman 10th Legion. Could this have been the game they were playing around the time of Jesus arrest and torture?
A short class on the Antonia Fortress and the Temple Mount prior to descending down to the water cisterns and floor of the fortress…
We then continued our day’s journey by following the Way of the Cross, the Via Dolorosa, taking note of each station of the cross that’s marked throughout the Old City. We grabbed a quick lunch down in the Muslim Quarter of the city, then visited the Church of the Holy Sepulcher (which houses about 6 churches in one). This is one of the major sites that is a possibility for Jesus’ crucifixion (and, currently, the one most believable with evidence that’s available). This was one of those moments of awe in the trip–one that none of us will soon forget…
In the afternoon, we made our way through the Old City to the upper part of Jerusalem. There we visited King David’s tomb, a very possible site for the Upper Room, and finally made our way up to the church called Peter in Gallicantu (the Church of the Cock Crowing), where Peter would have denied knowing Jesus three times (even though he said he wouldn’t). This church marked the site of the home of the High Priest Caiaphas, who interrogated Jesus. We went down all three levels of the church–the lowest level marking the place of imprisonment and torture. I just can’t imagine going through what our Lord went through on that evening before his death; and I can’t imagine what it would have been like to be a soldier who had to carry out the orders of torturing Jesus, then crucifying him…
We ended today as we always end the last full day of the tour (tomorrow is a partial day, leaving time to pack and get ready to leave). We went to the Garden Tomb–the second major site of possibility for Jesus crucifixion and burial. One thing’s for sure. If this is NOT the location for the crucifixion and burial, it at least gives you a good idea of what it may have been like–a rich person’s tomb in a garden setting, with a busy street out front just right for the humiliation of crucifixion. Our time at the Garden Tomb ended with a short worship service and communion. My thanks to Maria Nelson for assisting with both.
Jean Walker, Rich Gauthier, Joann Williams, and Janetta Green in front of the ’empty’ Garden Tomb…
Folks, we’re now winding down with our tour. Tomorrow, we have about a half day, then back early to pack. But you’ll hear from me at least one more time tomorrow…
Until then, Pastor Rom