Awaking in the city of Jerusalem

Awaking in the city of Jerusalem is a peculiar feeling. Looking out a window of the Gloria Hotel inside the Old City is something that many people will not have the opportunity to do in their life. After breakfast, and friendly dialogue with group members we now consider “family”, we departed into the city with a full itinerary.

Our first stop was the Western Wall. This is what remains of the the great city that surrounded the temple commissioned by King Herod. We ascended to the temple mount and saw the Dome of the Rock. The beautiful architecture of this large mosque covers what is believed to be the rock (altar) on which a willing Abraham was moments away from sacrificing his son Isaac (Ishmael for the Muslims).

We moved next to the City of David, just a short ways from Mount Moriah to the south. Half of the group willingly trudged through Hezekiah’s tunnel which directed water from a spring in the city. The tunnel was much longer than i expected - what a feat of labor! So much rock had to be chiseled away in order to create many of the architectural marvels seen on this trip.

The tunnel exited near the Pool of Siloam where Jesus healed the blind man! Later, we sat along the southern steps of the gate that led to the old temple. This is where Jesus would have come and taught and offended. Incredible - I sat, I saw, I listened, i breathed - where Jesus stood and changed history, declaring himself God and King and rebuking those who turned the worship of his Father into a ritualistic contest.

Miles of walking a trudging through the sights of our Lord passed too quickly. We left from the temple toward the Israel Museum at which we saw a 1:50 scale model of Jerusalem during and just after the life of Jesus. This brought the ruins to life! Even though much of the city has been built-over and there are only small pieces from that era, the model clarified much in my mind; I could picture my savior walking through the city.

The day culminated with a tour through the rest of the museum, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are on display. So many artifacts I had only read about, which legitimize my faith and the scriptures upon which it is predicated, were within reach of my hand. The many other exhibits in the museum overwhelmed me. The history contained in the museum fills in gaps that history books cannot explain. Everything there was found in this region, where the history of humanity began. I doubt the archeological findings in any other area of the world would be so extensive and rich.

It is great to be in God’s Holy Land. Here began His story to show His love to His chosen people, offering forgiveness and Mercy to those who would believe. Thank you, YHWH! May the knowledge I’ve gained throughout this trip enrich my love for you and my worship to you!
Amen.

-Aden Kuehnl