Our last full day

Today marked our final full day in Israel: a mis-mash of routine, reflection, and sentimentalism. Whereas our previous days of touring were primarily focused on the Old Testament and first century life, today the story of Jesus' final years and weeks on earth took center stage.

We started our morning looking out over the old city of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. After taking in the spectacular views, we recounted the events of Holy Week as they took place in the scenery before us. We could begin to envision what Christ's last hours on earth would have been like. Steve shared with us the prophecy of Psalm 24: "Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle..." As Steve was reading and preaching, my eyes kept being drawn to the Golden Gate, which faces east toward the Kidron Valley and Mount of Olives. This is the gate that Jesus entered when He made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and will also be the gate that He will enter when He returns. While many efforts have been made to prevent Messiah from entering this gate, Jesus will some day make His second triumphal entry into Jerusalem and be the King of glory who enters through those ancient doors.

After walking down the Palm Sunday road, we got some reflection time in and near the olive trees at the Garden of Gethsemane. Andrew helped remind us that Jesus, though His soul was being crushed with the weight of the sins of the world, went all the way to the cross for us. How on that night, He not only cried out to the Father, but also prayed for every single one of us: the ones He came to redeem with His precious blood.

After several other stops at Bethesda St. Anne's, and the Via Dolorosa, we reached the Church of the Holy Sepluchure. Our guide, Dan, did a great job explaining so many aspects of Jesus' crucifixion, then we were given time to see both the rock of crucifixion and a possible tomb site. On my previous trip to Israel, I was skeptical about this rock really being the one Jesus was crucified on. Dan was able to give excellent evidence to support that this was likely the one. This completely changed my experience when I went and viewed that rock today. To think that THAT rock would be the very place that would change the world. And how thankful I am that the story did not just end on that rock. For it was out of Jesus' death that came the glorious resurrection. And someday, we too will be resurrected with Him and forever live with and worship Him as Lord and Savior.

The day ended with a bittersweet farewell dinner, where we got to reflect on our time and thank our awesome guide, Dan, and amazing bus driver/lunch provider, Elie. We got to share a little of what we learned from this experience and what God spoke into our hearts. I am so grateful that we had a chance to go on this journey as a church and draw nearer to the truth of who Jesus is together. The land and people of Israel really do tell a story - a story that started out thousands of years ago and continues to this very day. But it's more than just history - it's OUR story. This trip has opened our hearts, minds, and souls to what God has done in the past, what He is doing right now, and what He has for the future.

—Written by Kelly H.