On Monday we awoke to a bright sunshiny day and, due to an early evening last night, our tour family seemed to have some pep in their step this morning! But we would take care of that as the day wore on! It was a very busy walking day in and around the Old City, and honestly, fatigue began to set in late in the day. Just imagine walking up and down Jerusalem’s hilly streets all day…on our 8th day of touring! It’s a lot of activity but this group has persevered through it all!

Our day began at the Garden Tomb and it doesn’t get any better than that. We had an excellent Garden Tomb tour guide who infused deep insight into our experience. Truthfully, there are two places that could be the site of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. Most Protestant scholars believe the Church of the Holy Sepulcher is the place, while others believe the Garden Tomb is the place. Both have strong evidence such as a nearby city gate (crucifixion took place outside the city walls), a hill called Golgotha (Place of the Skull), a garden (where Scripture says the tomb was), a large tomb (belonging to a rich man), and a trough in which the stone was rolled in front of the entrance.

Honestly, the location is not that important. What is important is that Jesus defeated death and the grave and rose again on the third day! The Garden Tomb is a joyful, peaceful place, much more conducive to contemplation of Jesus’ sacrifice. So we chose to commemorate His victory there with communion. A dear brother (and pastor) with a heart of gold did the honors.

How does one follow that!?! Trust me…there is nothing better than communion onsite at the Garden Tomb.

But, the beat goes on and we carry the experience with us! Our next stop was the Pools of Bethesda where Jesus healed a many who was lame for 38 years. In a short teaching, Yoyakim reminded us that when asked by Jesus if he wanted to be healed, the man simply said, “There is no one to put me into the pool.” Was he alone? How did he get to the pool? Was there no one to care for this man? We only know this: It was the Sabbath. According to Jewish law, Jesus was not supposed to be “working.” Yet, He said to the man, “Rise, take up your bed and walk!” Immediately, the man did so. The Jews were baffled. Who was this man? The healed man did not even know who He was until He crossed paths with Jesus again in the Temple. Jesus then told him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” That man went around telling others of Jesus. (John 5:1-15)

What lessons will we take from the account? If you are hopeless, believing that no one knows your pain or your sorrow, be encouraged. Jesus wants to heal you. He will do so on any day, but be prepared to proclaim His Name when He does!

Next to the Pools of Bethesda is St Anne’s Church, a 12th century basilica built by the Crusaders. There is nothing necessarily significant to our faith but with its double colonnades and vaulted ceilings, the acoustics are incredible. There are often groups from around the world singing together in their native languages and it sounds like heaven! Unfortunately, with tourism still very low, we were the only group in the church at the time, but we did enjoy a few songs of worship together. Here is a sample.

We then managed to make our way back across the Old City to Temple Mount. Each time I go there I feel the spiritual warfare taking place. Since 70AD when the Romans left not one stone of the Temple upon another, it seems evil has taken up residence there. Today, Rabbinic law prohibits Jews from going on Temple Mount for fear they might make a mistake and walk on top of the Holy of Holies. However, some Jews have begun going there, but choose to walk only around the perimeter. When they do so, they are accompanied by an entire unit of Israeli police officers outfitted in riot gear whose job it is to protect them. It is a sad state of affairs.

Beyond that, Temple Mount is home to Al-Aqsa Mosque (the third holiest Muslim site on earth) and the infamous Dome of the Rock (a Muslim shrine, not a mosque). It is downright eerie there unless your mind is focused on Temple Mount of Jesus’ day. Though there is no stone of the Temple to be found, and the old porticos were demolished, one can still get a sense of what it might have been like in the temple courts during Jesus’ day. Unfortunately, it is left to imagination, as the Arab-controlled mount (except for Israeli security) is pretty void of any remnants of Jewish culture or religion.

Lunch followed at an Arabic restaurant in the Muslim quarter of the Old City which meant another trek through the Muslim Quarter. Great food and a very enjoyable experience. The afternoon itinerary offered optional tracks. Stay tuned to discover our afternoon adventures!