Day 08 - Temple Mount, Western Wall, City of David, Hezekiah's Tunnel

Today we started our day again on the balcony that over looks the city of Jerusalem. We share a sweet time of worship and ponder the city that awaits us. Pastor Mike takes us to Psalm 122 and reminds us that while Jerusalem is not a city that should be desired by worldly standards, it is God’s chosen city and has become the focus of the world. As our eyes are on the city before us, we are reminded that the world is always watching too.

We depart by bus to the base of the Holy Temple Mount, this is the last we will see the bus until the end of our day. We make our way through security which checks our bags and we get our first glance at the Wailing Wall (Western Wall). We ascend to the Temple Mount and get a clear view of the area where two temples once towered and envision the one to come. Ronen provided us with a rich history of Mount Moriah, The return of the Ark of the Covenant, Solomon builds God’s Temple, The destruction of the first temple and exile to Babylon, Zerubbabel rebuilds the temple, Harold expands the temple, Romans destroy the temple, and Muslims build the Dome of the Rock. We have a good understanding of the place we are standing now as we depart the Temple Mount on our way to the Western Wall with sounds of the call to prayer ringing out from Al-Aqua Mosque. 

Before we reach the Western Wall, we detour to recent excavation and digging projects that have taken place under the streets adjacent the Western Wall. Here, archeologists are exposing the lower layers of the Western Wall currently in underground tunnels. The desire to draw near to the Lord in a very literal way is strong for Jewish worshipers, this is the motivation behind praying here and digging here. As we exit the tunnels we reach the plaza of the Western Wall. We are separated by gender and given time to pray, touch, and draw near. I am reminded of times that I may lack my devoutness in my prayer life as I see the pilgrims at the wall but I am thankful that my God is always available to meet with me, anytime any place. 

As we leave the Western Wall we see a group of young Jewish students visiting the wall, they sing and dance as they travel to their next destination. Our next destination is the south west corner and Southern Steps of the Temple complex. We are reminded of our Cornerstone and see the massive size of the temple cornerstones. We also visit the Archeological Gardens at Davidson Center to further our understanding of the Temple history. At the Southern Steps, Pastor Mike takes us to Acts 2 and reminds us of Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost. Once again we are standing in a mighty place from the words of the Bible. 

We are soaking in every moment as we seek as much information as we can hold. We break for lunch and enjoy an Israeli burrito known as Laffa. We appreciate the break from walking and sit in the shade of the Temple Complex.

As we finish lunch, we walk across the street to the City of David. The city sits on a hill with David’s Palace at the top and other buildings on the down slope. Joey takes us to 2 Samuel and we look at the compromise and sin of King David. When we live outside the will of God he is disappointed but he does not forsake us. We know that David was “Sent” for a purpose in God’s grand plan. Beneath the City of David, archaeologists have discovered Hezekaih’s tunnel described in 2 Chronicles as an attempt to preserve the city from foreign invasion. We descend into the tunnel which still flows with water and traverse a dark, carefully chiseled, 533 meter tunnel to exit at the Pool of Siloam. 

At the newly excavated Pool of Siloam, Pastor Mike takes us to John chapter 9. Just as Jesus gave sight to a blind man at the Pool of Siloam, so we too have been given clear vision of the power, might, miracles, and majesty of our Savior through the steps we are taking through the Holy Land. The memories we are making will forever be tattooed on our hearts and minds, and for some, our temple. Another amazing day!