Day 11 – Wednesday, March 29: The Western Wall, Southwall Excavations, City of David, Hezekiah’s Tunnel, Siloam Pool, Shorashim, Israel Museum
Today was the second day in Jerusalem. Once again, we experienced a blend of archaeology, history, and the Bible. The weather began sunny, but the afternoon brought a mix of clouds and sun, with a cool wind. Highs were in the 60s. We read from Psalm 48 as we left the hotel at 7:45.
Western Wall
We drove around the Old City to the Western Wall. This wall served as one of the four retaining walls for Herod the Great in order to doubling the size of the platform of the Temple. This is the most holy place for Jews today. We took time to approach the Wall, and to pray. Seeing the massive Herodian stones one layer upon the next was impressive.
Southern Excavations
Nearby we walked to the Davidson Center to see the Southern Excavations of the Temple. Within the center, we saw the SW corner of the Temple (with massive Herodian stones), the Herodian pavement, and the southern steps that would have led into the Temple in Jesus’ day. Sitting on these steps recalled the many times Jesus and the disciples (and Paul) used these steps. Whereas the Temple was a magnificent building (Mark 13:1-2), we are to be the Temple (1 Corinthians 3)!
City of David
We walked down outside the Dung Gate to the City of David. We first got a great view of the area from the observation tower before we walked down through the excavations of Area G (where Dr. John dug for a month in 1982) and Warren’s Shaft. At the Gihon Spring is where many in the group accessed the entrance to Hezekiah’s Tunnel, a 1,710-foot tunnel chiseled in 701 BC. We walked in water through this amazing discovery mentioned in 2 Kings 20, 2 Chronicles 32, and Isaiah 8:6. Others walked through the “dry” Canaanite tunnel. Both groups converged at the Pool of Siloam where we heard the story of John 9 read in dramatic fashion. Remarkably, the new excavation of the other larger part of the Siloam Pool is well underway now! They have scraped off much of the dirt and are close to exposing the other steps.
“It was another great combination of archaeology, history, and the Bible today! We saw many things that connected us to the life and ministry of Jesus here in Jerusalem. Especially helpful was seeing the 1:50 model of Jerusalem at the Israel Museum.”
Jewish Quarter/Shorashim
We boarded on the bus and drove up the hill to the Zion’s Gate. Here we walked to the Jewish Quarter. We enjoyed listening to Moshe, an Orthodox Jew who talked about his faith and practice. We then enjoyed some free time (and lunch) on our own until 2:45 when we walked to our buses outside Zion’s Gate.
Israel Museum
The rest of the afternoon was spent at the Israel Museum in western Jerusalem. It is located across the street from the Knesset, Israel’s parliamentary building consisting of 120 seats (Incidentally, this is one of there areas where the recent political protests have been happening. However, the situation has calmed down, with no demonstrations were taking place here today). Together, we first saw a 1:50-scaled model of 2nd Temple Period Jerusalem and the Shrine of the Book (where some of the Dead Sea Scrolls are on display). As three separate groups we also walked through the archaeological wing of the museum itself. In the museum we saw highlights of artifacts, such as the Dan Inscription, the incense shovels from Tel Dan, the silver amulet from a Hinnom tombs, the Arad Holy of Holies, the Pilate Inscription, Herod’s bathhouse and sarcophagus, and many more. We ended with seeing a 1,900 year old “pie plate.” ????
We returned to our hotel for dinner and a free evening.
Day 12 – Thursday, March 30: The Eastern Gate, Pools of Bethesda/St. Anne’s Church, Holy Sepulcher Church, Free Time/Lunch, Yad Vashem
