Day 11 – Saturday, September 13: Garden Tomb, Mt. of Olives, Israel Museum, Rampart Walk, Holy Sepulcher Church
Today was another great day here in Jerusalem. Starting at the Garden Tomb was a special way to begin the day. Once again, we had a variety of experiences today. The sun was bright, with temps again in the low 80s. Ideal! We left this morning at 8 a.m., reading portions of John 7 on the way.
Garden Tomb
The drive to the Garden Tomb was a short one. Located on the north side of the Old City, this is an alternative (“Protestant”) location for the crucifixion and burial site of Jesus. We saw the suggested rocky scarp (Golgotha) where Jesus was crucified, followed by the proposed tomb. A special time of worship and reflection. Pastor Daniel led us in Communion. We worship the Person, not the place. What a great place to consider the redemptive purpose of Jesus’ coming!
Mt. of Olives
Next, we drove east to the Mt. of Olives. Once we crested this mountain range, we enjoyed a spectacular panoramic of Jerusalem! We looked across the Kidron Valley to the Old City and Temple Mount. From here we walked down the slope to Dominus Flavet. Here, we read recalled the Palm Sunday story (Luke 19), the passion of Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22), Christ’s ascension (Acts 1), and the return of Christ (Zechariah 14). Today’s Eastern Gate was also in full view (Ezekiel 44). Jesus probably walked in the original gate following the Palm Sunday event. Continuing down the steep slope we entered just the garden area of the Church of All Nations (the traditional Garden of Gethsemane) where we saw very old olive trees. David picked us up once we made our way down to the Kidron Valley.
Israel Museum
Just a short distance away (in west Jerusalem) is the Israel Museum. First, we saw 1:50 scale model of 2nd Temple Jerusalem. Next, we walked through the Shrine of the Book where some of the Dead Sea Scrolls are displayed. Finally, we walked to the archaeological wing of the museum to see some of the “highlight artifacts” related to the Bible. We saw such artifacts that connected us to the Bible! We saw a good example of the “horse and rider,” similar to the partial one Pastor John discovered in his dig before there trip. We also saw the silver amulet inscribed with the earliest name of “Yahweh, the Pilate Inscription, Herod’s coffin, and the famous 1900 year-old “pie plate.” “HA
“It was special to begin the day at the Garden Tomb. Although it may not be the tomb of Jesus, the time set aside for worship, reflection, and Communion was special! Our hearts were moved and inspired!”
Old City – Rampart Walk & Holy Sepulcher Church
We returned to the Old City in the afternoon. Sixteen of us walked around the “rampart walls” on top of the Turkish walls (1537-44 AD) of the Old City. We walked south first, and then east, overlooking the Armenian and Jewish Quarters. It gave us a unique perceptive.
From here we walked to intercept those who went with Shlomo. Near by is the Holy Sepulcher Church. Built in 325 AD, this is the traditional location for the death and burial place of Jesus. The archaeological and historical records favor this site. We saw the Edicule that has enclosed the suggested tomb of Christ for now nearly 1600 years. We waited only a short time before we entered into the suggested tomb of Jesus.
We walked out of Jaffa Gate together where we met David who drove us back to the hotel. Following dinner, some of us walked to Jaffa Road and Ben Yehuda Plaza to enjoy some “post-shabbat” window shopping and ice cream!
Day 12 – Sunday, September 14: Yad Vashem, Wailing Wall, Western Wall Tunnels, Temple Mount, Jewish Quarter, Herodian Mansion, Shoreshim
