Israel - March 11, 2008
We are back in the room at 7:30 PM (Israel time), which is 12:30 PM (Green Pond time). Kathy and I wondered if Israel was on daylight savings time
and it appears it is not. Now, there are only 7 hours difference in our times. Today was another very busy day.
We started by going to the top of the Mount of Olives. The Mount of Olives is directly across the Kidron Valley from Jerusalem. I did not have the
time to tell you, but our gang actually spent a few minutes there last night. Ronny had been trying to reach a friend of his (Jamal Dajani) who operates
a store in Old Jerusalem. When he did reach him, he came to pick us up to shop at his store. (My first excursion inside Old Jerusalem was a shopping
trip. Please don't tell Kathy!) Afterward, Jamal paid for a cab to take us back to the hotel and told him to take us by the Mount of Olives. It was another
of those special moments to me. Seeing the old city all lit up, being near the spot from which Jesus ascended, knowing it is the place to which He will
return--I cried like a baby! We had not anticipated making this side trip so the only camera I had was the digital camera that I carry in my pocket, and
it does not make good pictures in the dark. I was only able to get one good picture. Here is a night picture and a similar shot from the same spot in the
daylight.
and it appears it is not. Now, there are only 7 hours difference in our times. Today was another very busy day.
We started by going to the top of the Mount of Olives. The Mount of Olives is directly across the Kidron Valley from Jerusalem. I did not have the
time to tell you, but our gang actually spent a few minutes there last night. Ronny had been trying to reach a friend of his (Jamal Dajani) who operates
a store in Old Jerusalem. When he did reach him, he came to pick us up to shop at his store. (My first excursion inside Old Jerusalem was a shopping
trip. Please don't tell Kathy!) Afterward, Jamal paid for a cab to take us back to the hotel and told him to take us by the Mount of Olives. It was another
of those special moments to me. Seeing the old city all lit up, being near the spot from which Jesus ascended, knowing it is the place to which He will
return--I cried like a baby! We had not anticipated making this side trip so the only camera I had was the digital camera that I carry in my pocket, and
it does not make good pictures in the dark. I was only able to get one good picture. Here is a night picture and a similar shot from the same spot in the
daylight.
Today's journey started near the 'believed" place of Jesus' ascension, then through Bethphage, and down the mount to Gethsemane. Jesus would have
made this journey many times, and it would be the same basic journey That would have been His path when He came into Jerusalem to begin the week
of Passion (the Triumphant Entry). Christians from all over the world will be celebrating that week this coming Lord's day as we approach Easter. Of
course, we could not complete the journey because the gate Jesus would have entered Jerusalem through is the Eastern Gate, and it has been closed for
hundreds of years, waiting for Jesus to return.
The place where Jesus may have ascended from is marked by a Lutheran church. We did not actually go to it, but I did snap a picture from a distance.
The church steeple marks the spot.
made this journey many times, and it would be the same basic journey That would have been His path when He came into Jerusalem to begin the week
of Passion (the Triumphant Entry). Christians from all over the world will be celebrating that week this coming Lord's day as we approach Easter. Of
course, we could not complete the journey because the gate Jesus would have entered Jerusalem through is the Eastern Gate, and it has been closed for
hundreds of years, waiting for Jesus to return.
The place where Jesus may have ascended from is marked by a Lutheran church. We did not actually go to it, but I did snap a picture from a distance.
The church steeple marks the spot.
Bethphage is the place where Jesus mounted the colt and road it down the
mount into Jerusalem (Matt. 21:1-2). Below is the rock believed to be the one
that Jesus climbed on to mount the coat. It is housed in a building and
surrounded both by marble and an iron fence. (You really cannot see the rock.
but they say it is there!) I included a view from that general location down the
mountain (I believe we are looking to the south).
mount into Jerusalem (Matt. 21:1-2). Below is the rock believed to be the one
that Jesus climbed on to mount the coat. It is housed in a building and
surrounded both by marble and an iron fence. (You really cannot see the rock.
but they say it is there!) I included a view from that general location down the
mountain (I believe we are looking to the south).
From Bethphage, we rode a piece down the mountain to a location with another beautiful site, looking east at Jerusalem. The place is called Dominus
Flevit, which in Latin means OUR LORD WEPT. It is the possible place where our Lord looked over Jerusalem and cried out, "O Jerusalem,
Jerusalem... how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings...." (Matthew 23:37) A
Catholic order has built a tear-shaped building at the spot and keeps the site and view in order.
Below are two pictures taken from Dominus Flevit, centered on the Eastern Gate. Just for your entertainment, let me give you some history. Jerusalem
has had several walls build around it during its history, most of them being destroyed at least in part. The wall that we presently see was built by the
Turks (Muslims) in 1517. As soon as the wall was built, the leader, Suleiman the Magnificent, had the Eastern Gate sealed with stones. Legend says
that he had inquired of the Jews concerning their beliefs about their Messiah and had been told that Messiah would be a great King and military Leader.
Suleiman was informed that Messiah would entered Jerusalem through the Eastern Gate to liberate His people from foreign dominance, so he had the
gate sealed and, believing no Jewish holy man would walk through a Muslim cemetery, he started a cemetery outside the gate. Both can be seen in
these pictures. I put a circle around the Eastern Gate and the white stone running tin front of the wall, the full length of it, is the cemetery.
Flevit, which in Latin means OUR LORD WEPT. It is the possible place where our Lord looked over Jerusalem and cried out, "O Jerusalem,
Jerusalem... how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings...." (Matthew 23:37) A
Catholic order has built a tear-shaped building at the spot and keeps the site and view in order.
Below are two pictures taken from Dominus Flevit, centered on the Eastern Gate. Just for your entertainment, let me give you some history. Jerusalem
has had several walls build around it during its history, most of them being destroyed at least in part. The wall that we presently see was built by the
Turks (Muslims) in 1517. As soon as the wall was built, the leader, Suleiman the Magnificent, had the Eastern Gate sealed with stones. Legend says
that he had inquired of the Jews concerning their beliefs about their Messiah and had been told that Messiah would be a great King and military Leader.
Suleiman was informed that Messiah would entered Jerusalem through the Eastern Gate to liberate His people from foreign dominance, so he had the
gate sealed and, believing no Jewish holy man would walk through a Muslim cemetery, he started a cemetery outside the gate. Both can be seen in
these pictures. I put a circle around the Eastern Gate and the white stone running tin front of the wall, the full length of it, is the cemetery.
From this site, we walled beside a Jewish cemetery down the Mount of Olives to the Garden of Gethsemane. The road is steep and narrow but is used
by traffic in both directions. (We know because we saw the cars lock up and neither of the hot-blooded Jews seemed willing to back up!)
by traffic in both directions. (We know because we saw the cars lock up and neither of the hot-blooded Jews seemed willing to back up!)
Speaking of cemeteries, you probably know of the ancient Jewish method of burying their dead in caves. (They used caves because this place is nothing
but rock with 5 to 10 inches of dirt on the top.) These caved would be used by as many as 8 to 10 family members. Many such graves have been found.
Here are some which have been preserved on top of the Mount of Olives.
but rock with 5 to 10 inches of dirt on the top.) These caved would be used by as many as 8 to 10 family members. Many such graves have been found.
Here are some which have been preserved on top of the Mount of Olives.
The bodies have been removed and the entrances sealed, but in the first picture, you can see a rounded, wheel-like stone protruding from the right. That
was the stone used to seal this grave (similar to the one which sealed Jesus' tomb). These caves are small (too small for me to get into without a lot of
work and probably a good diet), but that is how they did it. The Kidron Valley which separates Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives is filled Jewish and
Christian graves. Our guide explained that both are looking for the coming of Messiah (the Jews for the first time and Christians for the rapture) so both
have had a great desire to be buried in this valley, a place where they know Messiah will come. For this reason, the graves had become overcrowded and
many bodies have been removed from their caves and placed in asuaries, small rock boxes. I am not certain what happens to them next, but there is an
exhibit of these boxes on the mountain side. The second picture is a small portion of the cemetery which runs down the Mount of Olives. This is the
cemetery we walked along side of going down the mountain.
was the stone used to seal this grave (similar to the one which sealed Jesus' tomb). These caves are small (too small for me to get into without a lot of
work and probably a good diet), but that is how they did it. The Kidron Valley which separates Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives is filled Jewish and
Christian graves. Our guide explained that both are looking for the coming of Messiah (the Jews for the first time and Christians for the rapture) so both
have had a great desire to be buried in this valley, a place where they know Messiah will come. For this reason, the graves had become overcrowded and
many bodies have been removed from their caves and placed in asuaries, small rock boxes. I am not certain what happens to them next, but there is an
exhibit of these boxes on the mountain side. The second picture is a small portion of the cemetery which runs down the Mount of Olives. This is the
cemetery we walked along side of going down the mountain.
At the bottom of the mountain is the garden where our Lord retreated to pray the night of His arrest. The stone He is said to have prayed upon has
been enshrined in a church. The church has had several names, but its most recent is The Church of the Nations because when it needed to be rebuild,
sixteen different nations contributed to its building. The church is surrounded by a garden with olive trees which have been tested and are estimated to
be anywhere from 2000 to 2500 years old, meaning they were there the night Jesus came to the garden and prayed. A church service was ongoing
while we were there, but we were told it was allowed to take pictures and gather in small groups for prayer. It was another of those moving times as
JoyAnna and I prayed together.
been enshrined in a church. The church has had several names, but its most recent is The Church of the Nations because when it needed to be rebuild,
sixteen different nations contributed to its building. The church is surrounded by a garden with olive trees which have been tested and are estimated to
be anywhere from 2000 to 2500 years old, meaning they were there the night Jesus came to the garden and prayed. A church service was ongoing
while we were there, but we were told it was allowed to take pictures and gather in small groups for prayer. It was another of those moving times as
JoyAnna and I prayed together.
At the bottom of the mountain, we meet our bus and drove across the Brook of Kidron (which appeared to be dried up), in front of the Eastern Wall,
and up to the south side of Old Jerusalem onto Mount Zion. Once across the valley, I looked back at the cemetery on the Mount of Olives to see how
large it was. Here is what I could capture. All of the stone white boxes are graves. Each crypt goes from a few feet above the surface to about three
feet below.
and up to the south side of Old Jerusalem onto Mount Zion. Once across the valley, I looked back at the cemetery on the Mount of Olives to see how
large it was. Here is what I could capture. All of the stone white boxes are graves. Each crypt goes from a few feet above the surface to about three
feet below.
From the top of Mount Zion (part of the mountain is inside the walls of Old Jerusalem and part of it is outside), we could see a panoramic view of the
walls of Jerusalem to the north, the Kidron Valley and the Mount of Olives to the east, and the Gihon Valley to the south. The Gihon Valley runs east
and west and intersects the Kidron Valley. The Dung Gate of Jerusalem points to the south and the City of David (the first part of the original
Jerusalem) seems to run across the Gihon Valley. Potter's field is also located in that valley. Of course some kind of church has been built at the site.
The field is in the wall enclosure, behind and to the right of the buildings.
walls of Jerusalem to the north, the Kidron Valley and the Mount of Olives to the east, and the Gihon Valley to the south. The Gihon Valley runs east
and west and intersects the Kidron Valley. The Dung Gate of Jerusalem points to the south and the City of David (the first part of the original
Jerusalem) seems to run across the Gihon Valley. Potter's field is also located in that valley. Of course some kind of church has been built at the site.
The field is in the wall enclosure, behind and to the right of the buildings.
Also on Mount Zion is the House of Caiaphas. This is one of the newest
structures in the area, being built in the last 10 years and finished since Ronny
was last there in 2004. It is built over the site where the original house is
believed to have been. In the lowest floor (it has three) is the dungeon where
Jesus is believed to have been placed the night of His arrest. Outside are the
original steps which Jesus would probably have used many times to travel from
Jerusalem to the valley below. Neither the dungeon nor the original steps have
been re-worked since Jesus' day.
structures in the area, being built in the last 10 years and finished since Ronny
was last there in 2004. It is built over the site where the original house is
believed to have been. In the lowest floor (it has three) is the dungeon where
Jesus is believed to have been placed the night of His arrest. Outside are the
original steps which Jesus would probably have used many times to travel from
Jerusalem to the valley below. Neither the dungeon nor the original steps have
been re-worked since Jesus' day.
Then, we were dropped off (still on Mount Zion) near the city of Old Jerusalem. This part of our tour would be a walking tour of three or so hours.
First, we went into the believed Upper Room. This is a Byzantine building that was built on what is thought to be the site of the original building
which housed the Upper Room, so it has no direct connection with the Biblical Upper Room, but was interesting. Directly below the Upper Room is a
shrine called the Tomb of King David. While it is a very scared place for the orthodox Jew, it is not generally believed to be the authentic site of
David's burial.
From there, we walked inside Old Jerusalem, through what I think was the Zion Gate. The gate was being worked on and it really looked like we
walled through a large, rock garage. I did not realize we were inside Old Jerusalem until I recognized the south wall to the city and saw I was on the
wrong side! We spent the rest of the day seeing sites that made my head spin. We saw so many things so quickly, I did not comprehend them all. Our
guide, Jimmy, is great!
25,000 people live inside of Old Jerusalem now. Since 1967, they have been improving it with new buildings. As such, many things are being
discovered by accident. (Our group has discussed the fact that you can't stick a shovel in the ground or throw a stone in the air without hitting
something of significance in Israel!) Two examples greeted us quickly on our walking tour.
First, we went into the believed Upper Room. This is a Byzantine building that was built on what is thought to be the site of the original building
which housed the Upper Room, so it has no direct connection with the Biblical Upper Room, but was interesting. Directly below the Upper Room is a
shrine called the Tomb of King David. While it is a very scared place for the orthodox Jew, it is not generally believed to be the authentic site of
David's burial.
From there, we walked inside Old Jerusalem, through what I think was the Zion Gate. The gate was being worked on and it really looked like we
walled through a large, rock garage. I did not realize we were inside Old Jerusalem until I recognized the south wall to the city and saw I was on the
wrong side! We spent the rest of the day seeing sites that made my head spin. We saw so many things so quickly, I did not comprehend them all. Our
guide, Jimmy, is great!
25,000 people live inside of Old Jerusalem now. Since 1967, they have been improving it with new buildings. As such, many things are being
discovered by accident. (Our group has discussed the fact that you can't stick a shovel in the ground or throw a stone in the air without hitting
something of significance in Israel!) Two examples greeted us quickly on our walking tour.
The first picture is of the Roman main street which ran 2/3's of a mile long and 69 feet wide through the heart of the city in Jesus' day. The columns
and much of the rock are original. Through the opening at the back of this picture, you could find a miniature street with businesses on both sides as it
probably was when Jesus walked upon those very rocks. The second was discovered while digging the foundation for the house that is built directly
above this find (the tall column in the ditch supports that house.) The ditch shows a portion of the original wall of Jerusalem, constructed in the days of
Kings David and Solomon. That wall was long ago destroyed, but the original height would have been about another twenty feet high and the width
about 25 feet thick. There was a mark on the building above the wall (Sorry. It is out of the picture view.) which showed the original height.
From here, on to the Wailing Wall. This is part of the wall that was around Jerusalem in Jesus' day. Portions of it were built by Ezra and Nehemiah,
then Herod added to it. These walls were destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD, fulfilling Jesus' prophecy that not one stone would be left upon another
(Mark 13:2). Here, thousands--if not millions--come to pray annually. It is a most holy place for the Jews and as such, woman are separated from men
and men's heads must be covered. The names of prayer requests are stuffed into the cracks of this wall as Jews and Christians alike pray over them.
The requests that you gave to me were placed in that wall, as well as, the names of as many of our church families as I could remember.
and much of the rock are original. Through the opening at the back of this picture, you could find a miniature street with businesses on both sides as it
probably was when Jesus walked upon those very rocks. The second was discovered while digging the foundation for the house that is built directly
above this find (the tall column in the ditch supports that house.) The ditch shows a portion of the original wall of Jerusalem, constructed in the days of
Kings David and Solomon. That wall was long ago destroyed, but the original height would have been about another twenty feet high and the width
about 25 feet thick. There was a mark on the building above the wall (Sorry. It is out of the picture view.) which showed the original height.
From here, on to the Wailing Wall. This is part of the wall that was around Jerusalem in Jesus' day. Portions of it were built by Ezra and Nehemiah,
then Herod added to it. These walls were destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD, fulfilling Jesus' prophecy that not one stone would be left upon another
(Mark 13:2). Here, thousands--if not millions--come to pray annually. It is a most holy place for the Jews and as such, woman are separated from men
and men's heads must be covered. The names of prayer requests are stuffed into the cracks of this wall as Jews and Christians alike pray over them.
The requests that you gave to me were placed in that wall, as well as, the names of as many of our church families as I could remember.
All of our group spent a special time in prayer there. In fact, a terrible thing happened while we were praying--Ronny and I got left! I am not sure who
is at fault. We were told to be back outside of the holy area at 5 minutes before 4 PM. Ronny said we were on time but 48 other people leaving us
behind kind of makes me think they disagreed! Ronny and I walked up and down the court for 10 minutes looking for anyone in our group, by which
time, JoyAnna had gotten our guide to come back and get us! Pat said she tried three times to come back to find us, but the group had already gone
through a check point and, on her third attempt to get back through, the guard emphasized his negative answer by fetching his machine gun from his
back, at which time Pat figured there were more fish in the sea! (Sorry, Bro. Ronny.)
From here, we walked around a large portion of the temple walls. Of course the temple was destroyed in 70 AD and the Muslims built a holy shrine,
called the Dome of the Rock on that site. Even so, until 2001, we infidels could get inside a portion of the Dome so that we could say we had been on
the spot where the Jewish temple once stood; but due to unrest, the Muslims have stopped allowing it. When Rome set fire to the walls of the temple,
the mineral composite caused the rock to explode at a certain temperature. Some of the Herodian stones that had been used to build the walls by the
Turks weighted as much as 80 tons, so these broken fragments are very heavy. Most fragments have remained where they fell, as they fell, for almost
2,000 years.
is at fault. We were told to be back outside of the holy area at 5 minutes before 4 PM. Ronny said we were on time but 48 other people leaving us
behind kind of makes me think they disagreed! Ronny and I walked up and down the court for 10 minutes looking for anyone in our group, by which
time, JoyAnna had gotten our guide to come back and get us! Pat said she tried three times to come back to find us, but the group had already gone
through a check point and, on her third attempt to get back through, the guard emphasized his negative answer by fetching his machine gun from his
back, at which time Pat figured there were more fish in the sea! (Sorry, Bro. Ronny.)
From here, we walked around a large portion of the temple walls. Of course the temple was destroyed in 70 AD and the Muslims built a holy shrine,
called the Dome of the Rock on that site. Even so, until 2001, we infidels could get inside a portion of the Dome so that we could say we had been on
the spot where the Jewish temple once stood; but due to unrest, the Muslims have stopped allowing it. When Rome set fire to the walls of the temple,
the mineral composite caused the rock to explode at a certain temperature. Some of the Herodian stones that had been used to build the walls by the
Turks weighted as much as 80 tons, so these broken fragments are very heavy. Most fragments have remained where they fell, as they fell, for almost
2,000 years.
By this time, a rain front had moved in. Temperatures dropped, the wind was strong, there was a constant midst, and the clouds covered the mountains.
Thankfully, it was time to go inside for a look at the museum built there. Unfortunately, we did not spend much time inside. I don't know for certain,
but I think a couple of guys who had gotten lost earlier took up the needed time. Ronny said that if he could find those guys, he'd let them have a piece
of his mind. We exited out the Dung Gate, found our bus, and returned to the hotel.
In case you can't tell, I am having a great time. In fact, the thought has crossed my mind that I might accidentally miss my plane for a few days and
look around some more! Oh well, we still have two more days of looking to go. (11:10 PM, Israel time)
Thankfully, it was time to go inside for a look at the museum built there. Unfortunately, we did not spend much time inside. I don't know for certain,
but I think a couple of guys who had gotten lost earlier took up the needed time. Ronny said that if he could find those guys, he'd let them have a piece
of his mind. We exited out the Dung Gate, found our bus, and returned to the hotel.
In case you can't tell, I am having a great time. In fact, the thought has crossed my mind that I might accidentally miss my plane for a few days and
look around some more! Oh well, we still have two more days of looking to go. (11:10 PM, Israel time)