Stepping on stone

Day 7: Rabbinical tunnels, City of David, Hezekiah Tunnels, Via Dolorosa, Pool of Bethesda and St. Anne Church, and Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Some of today’s memories…

• Walking through the Rabbinical tunnels that run underground along the West wall of the temple.
• Stepping on stone underground in these tunnels next to the temple dating back to the time of Jesus
• Meandering through the Hezekiah Tunnels from the City of David. Translation of meandering: walking through tunnels filled with running water.
• Seeing the “Lions Gate,” aka Sheep’s Gate, or aka St. Stephen’s Gate…the entrance where Jesus would have entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday
• Winding our way down the Via Dolorosa, or “Way of Suffering” in Old Jerusalem, held to be the way Jesus walked carrying His cross
• A stop in to see the Pool of Bethesda. We listened to the words from John 5 where Jesus heals a man near the Pool of Bethesda. What we saw were the remains of where the pool was, as well as the remains of the structures built by the crusaders later. Near the pool is St. Anne’s church….amazing, unbelievable acoustics. We went in as a group and gathered at the front of the church, together singing “I love you, Lord” and “Amazing Grace.”

Hard to believe the trip is coming to an end. Much more to see tomorrow before we head home on Saturday!