Standing where Jesus stood

We began our day atop the Mount of Olives with an incredible view of the Temple Mount. It was a memorable experience standing where Jesus stood gazing at Jerusalem and where He will one day return. We paused at a Jewish cemetery where Jim explained the Jewish hope for a Messiah and their hope to be resurrected in the day of his coming. Those who are buried on the Mount of Olives will in their view, be raised first and enter Jerusalem with him.

Walking down the the hill into the Kidron Valley, we walked through the ancient olive grove dating back hundreds of years and some trees more than a thousand years old. We saw the Church of the Nations, a basilica built in the 19th century over the site of prior ones from the Crusades and the Byzantine eras. We then had the opportunity to spend some quiet time in another private olive grove contemplating the time Jesus spent agonizing over his coming death on the cross.

We walked across the valley and up into the old city through the Lion Gate. We ate lunch at a small shop where we could choose pizza, falafel or shawarma with a cup of mint lemonade. We left there and went along the Via Dolorosa through the shops and markets of the Arab quarter. There were spices, textiles, antiquities, and all manner of merchandise for sale.

Our next stop was the Church of the Holy Sepulcher where the Catholic tradition believes was built over the site of Jesus crucifixion and burial. Our guide explained the various Christian sects that are in charge of the church and the history of its fascinating past.

We walked on through the old city past many more street vendors offering their wares and then  out through the Jaffa gate to our bus.

Next, we headed to South Jerusalem where we were could view the entire area from an overlook. Miriam explained the current political situation and showed the defensive wall that was constructed to keep out terrorists. She explained the importance to most Israelis of keeping a united Jerusalem and that it must remain the undivided capital of Israel.

Our final stop of the day was Gordon's Calvary where many believe Jesus was crucified and buried. There we were able to go into the garden tomb and viewed the hill of Golgotha where we could see how it could be described as the place of the skull. We had an explanation of the site from our Dutch guide Peter, then had the privilege of taking communion as a group. It was a moving moment to reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice and the importance of the resurrection.