DAY 12 – SATURDAY, JANUARY 21:
The Garden Tomb in Jerusalem
We left the hotel at 8 a.m. this morning. The day would our coolest day thus far (highs in mid 50s) but with a nice mix of sun and clouds. Our first stop was the Garden Tomb located on the north side of the Old City. Here we had a local guide show us the suggested places of crucifixion (“skull hill”) and the burial of Christ. After seeing and going into the tomb, we enjoyed a time of worship and Scripture. We also observed Communion together as we remembered Jesus’ death and resurrection. He is risen! He is risen indeed!
Driving to West Jerusalem, we visited the Israel Museum. Here we saw three things. First, the 1:50 model of Jerusalem as it looked during the days of Jesus was spectacular! We reviewed the life and ministry of Christ as it took place here in Jerusalem as well as specifically within the Temple. We recalled the words of Mark 12 and Luke 21 about how amazed and impressed the disciples were when they left this remarkable temple of Herod. Next, we walked through the Shrine of the Book. Here we saw some of the Dead Sea Scrolls that were found at Qumran. This included portions of the Temple Scroll found in Cave 11 (that some of us saw a few days ago). Lastly, we were led through the archaeological wing of the museum, seeing highlights of different discoveries at archaeological sites around Israel. This included such finds such as the Dan and Pilate Inscriptions, the Arad High Place, Herod’s coffin, and much more!
The 1:50 scale Jerusalem Model at the Israel Museum
This afternoon we drove south of Jerusalem to the Bethlehem area. First after lunch in Beit Sahour (more shawarma), we enjoyed singing Christmas carols in one of the caves of the Shepherds’ Fields. We read from Luke 2 and Galatians 4:4 that reminded us that “just at the right time, God sent His Son…” We also enjoyed “Joseph’s Song” sung by one of our tour family. We also sang a few carols in the Chapel of the Shepherds.
Just east a few miles is Herodium. This served as one of King Herod’s fortress-palaces. This was where Herod was buried. Climbing the site provided a great view of the region around. We could clearly see the Dead Sea and Judean Desert to the east, Tekoa to the south, and Jerusalem & the Mt. of Olives to the north. We exited the site through the cistern system.
The area of Bethlehem and the Hill Country of Judah
To end the day, we stopped at an olive wood factory and store. Bethlehem is famous for quality olive wood. The store is owned by Palestinian Christians.
Leaving Bethlehem, we arrived back to the hotel and ate dinner together. About half in the group then were driven to Ben Yehuda for some “off-traffic” browsing and shopping in a modern part of the city. Walking back, we stopped at the King David hotel to see the famous signatures written on the floor. We also saw Herod’s family tomb, complete with an intact “rolling stone.”
We have one more full day left here in this remarkable city of Jerusalem!
DAY 13 – SUNDAY, JANUARY 22: CITY OF DAVID, HEZEKIAH’S TUNNEL, SILOAM POOL, SOUTHERN EXCAVATIONS, YAD VASHEM