The Knesset visit was a great way to start the day, but it would only get better.

Under clear skies, we entered the Old City through the Zion gate. Site of major battles in the 1948 War of Independence, the gate still bears pock marks inflicted by bullets fired at the gate.

We made our way through the Old City toward the Jewish Quarter. Along the way, we saw the ancient cardo (shopping district) and the Broad Wall, the remains of a very wide wall built by Hezekiah in the 8th century BC and uncovered in the 1970’s. (Nehemiah 3:8)

We enjoyed a pleasant lunchtime in the Jewish Quarter. Then, it was off to the Davidson Center and the Southern Steps of Temple Mount. There, we gathered on the very steps we know for certain Jesus entered and departed from Temple Mount.  His family of “commoners” would likely have washed in the Pool of Siloam (in the City of David) before ascending the road leading to the Temple.

Next, it was the Western Wall and Western Wall tunnels. To me, the Western Wall is the most bittersweet place on earth. Never have I seen people so zealous for their God…yet so blinded to see Jesus as Messiah.

The Western Wall actually extends far below the ground level we see today, and the only way to get a look at it is to go through the Indiana Jones-type narrow tunnels beneath the Western Wall (to the north). Today’s Western Wall plaza, where people go to pray, is only about 80 meters long. The full length of the Western Wall is well over 400 meters, so there is lots more to explore!

For those who have been to the Western Wall, things have changed a lot and the plaza is greatly expanded. Check it out:

Exit from the Western Wall tunnels dumps you into the Muslim quarter of Jerusalem.

With a bit of time remaining, we took a quick trip to the newly excavated southern end of the Western Wall. As we examined the Temple stones thrown down by Roman soldiers intent on leaving not one stone upon another (regarding the temple), suddenly one of our guests was particularly burdened for the salvation of the Jewish people. Thus, we prayed for that, as well as hearts prepared to receive the Messiah.

That, my friends, ended the day! We’ve got only two more days left and they are packed. Tomorrow’s itinerary includes such things as ascending Temple Mount, visiting the Pools of Bethesda and St Anne’s Church, communion at the Garden Tomb, then afternoon options of a visit to the City of David or shopping in the Old City.

The tour may be winding down, but don’t expect these tour guests to return home the same. It has been a very impacting tour and will continue to be until the end! Keep us in your prayers!