Day 13 – Saturday, June 25: Garden Tomb, David’s Citadel, Shepherds’ Fields, Herodium, Bethlehem, Farewell Dinner, Airport
Today was our last full day here in Israel’s capital, and the last day of the trip. The weather was once again perfect, with a cool start to the day, and a mild ending. What a great trip this has been, with a great group of people God has called together to His land.
Garden Tomb
The departure from the hotel was 8:35 today, a nice change to the 7:30 starts. We read Psalm 48 as we made the short drive to the Garden Tomb located on the north side of the Old City. This is a recent (since the end of the 19th century) suggested site for the crucifixion and burial sites of Jesus. After visiting the site, we enjoyed worship and Communion together. It was a special time!
David’s Citadel
We drove around the eastern and southern sides of the Old City and were dropped off at the Zion’s Gate. From here we walked around to the western side of the Old City where we saw ancient steps that would have led into the palace of Herod. It is suggested that perhaps this was part of the “lithostrotos” mentioned in John 19 where Pilate condemned Jesus to death outside the gate that was once there. We then went inside David’s Citadel and down to the Kishle (used as an old prison in the Ottoman Period). This was probably the area of the inner section of the palace, and another possible location for where Jesus was sentenced to death (Luke 23).
Shepherds’ Fields
We met David and our bus outside Jaffa Gate and drove to the Shepherds’ Fields in Beit Sahour (east of Bethlehem). After a great lunch here, we dropped down into a cave to consider the humble birth of Jesus. He was born in a kataluma, a guest room of a typical 1st century house. This may have been the lower court yard of the house where animals were kept. We read from Luke 2, Micah 5, and Galatians 4:4. Jesus came “just at the right time.” We also sang a few Christmas carols here in the cave and in the Shepherds’ Chapel.
“Today was the last day here in Jerusalem and the last day of the trip. We saw so, so much that it’s quite unbelievable. My experience here in Israel was life-changing. What a great trip this was!”
Herodium
Nearby to the east, Herodium was our next visit. This was where Herod the Great was buried in 4 BC. We saw the odion (small theater), and a great video prostration inside the reception room. Some in the group climbed to to the top of the site to see the royal arches, bathhouse, and cisterns.
Bethlehem
We ended the day at an olive wood shop and store in Bethlehem. The quality of the craftsmanship on some of the items was incredible! Many purchased olive wood items and jewelry.
We drove back to our hotel to freshen up and prepare for the flight home. Most in the group fly back either late tonight or early Tommorrow morning. Three in the group (plus Dr. John) are staying to dig at Tel Dan next week. It was an extensive Israel trip, seeing about 60 biblical sites!
Day 14 – Sunday, June 26: Flight back to the U.S.
