DAY 9 – TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8
Standing on the Mt. of Olives, with the Old City Jerusalem in the background!
Today was our first day in Jerusalem! With full sun and perfect temps once again, we drove to the Mt. of Olives for our first full view of the Old City and Temple Mount. The view from here is amazing! We could see the City of David (OT Jerusalem) to the south, the Dome of the Rock (where the Temple once stood), the Eastern Gate (Ez. 44), among many other things. Walking down the path, we stopped at a chapel called Dominus Flavet. Here we read from Luke 19 (the “Palm Sunday” event), Acts 1 (Jesus’ ascension), and Zechariah 14 (Jesus’ return).
Continuing our walk down the path, we enjoyed a time of quiet reflection in the Garden of Gethsemane. We listened to “At the Cross.” It as a special time of considering Christ’s passion and ultimate sacrifice.
Garden of Gethsemane
Walking across the Kidron Valley, we entered the Old City through the St. Stephen’s Gate (also called Lion’s & Jericho Gate). We enjoyed singing in a Crusader church (St. Anne’s). On the same grounds are the Pools of Bethesda. We read from John 5.
We walked through the heart of the Old City on the traditional Via Dolorosa (“way of the cross”) to the Holy Sepulcher Church, one of two possible locations for the crucifixion and burial place of Jesus. We also ate lunch here in the Christian Quarter.
Walking out of the Jaffa Gate, we boarded the bus and drove to Herodium. This was another of King Herod’s fortress/palaces. It was located just east of Bethlehem on the edge of the Judean Desert. We walked to the top of this “artificial” mountain before descending down through the cistern system. This was where Herod the Great as buried!
Herodium, burial place of King Herod
Driving towards Bethlehem, we enjoyed a time of reflecting upon the Christmas story. In a cave and later a chapel, we sang a few Christmas songs together. We celebrated that “just at the right time” God sent His Son (Gal. 4:4)!
We ended the day by visiting an olive factory and shop. Bethlehem is known for its olive wood products. Following a time of shopping, we drove back to our hotel in Jerusalem. We enjoyed dinner and a free night on our own.
DAY 10 – WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9 – WESTERN WALL, OLD CITY, JEWISH QUARTER, ISRAEL MUSEUM, YAD VASHEM