Day 09 - Mount of Olives, Gethsemane, Pool of Bethesda, Via Dolorosa

Our last day in Israel was our best day! Everything we’ve learned unfolded into the story of the priceless treasure that is our Christian faith.

Today is the Jewish sabbath… and Islamic Ramadan. The contrast between Israelis and Palestinians is stark, although they seem to find a way to make it work in Jerusalem, along with all the Christians visiting today in preparation for Easter.

Our first stop was the Mount of Olives where prophecy from Zachariah 14 and fulfillment from Luke 19 came to life for us. Tomorrow Christians from all around the world will gather here in remembrance of Palm Sunday and many will take a palm walk towards the temple, just like we did today! Just amazing.

We followed the rugged path to Gethsemane, the place where our Jesus felt the weight of the world as He poured his heart out to our Father before He was arrested. We took time for personal  reflection, and then worshipped together in communion, prayer and a song. 

In a touching moment, the  oldest and youngest of our group,  Paul (93) and Jessica (26), started us off in the planting an olive tree in Gethsemane.  GTI Tours sponsors this to help replenish trees that were destroyed in years past, a beautiful symbol for future generations that our God reigns!

At the Museum of Israel the 1/50th scale model of 1st century Jerusalem brought everything we have learned this week into full perspective - seeing all the places we’ve visited in a new light. And then we saw the Holy Grail! Or should we say the Holy Scriptures found at the Dead Sea caves. 

We lifted our voices in worship at St. Anne’s. St. Anne was the mother of Mary, the mother of Christ. The acoustics in this church (built by the French in the 12th century) were remarkable as we sang “How Great Thou Art.” I was so happy to see a cross when we stepped inside! 

We moved to a lovely spot outside to learn more about the Pool of Bethesda where Jesus healed the lame. On our return, we heard more beautiful voices coming from the church and our Brazilian sisters, Rebeca and Deborah Rodrigues, joined them in singing “Because He Lives” in Portuguese. They sounded like angels.

We traced the steps of Jesus to a place far different than the beautiful church. To think that our Savior, who walked on water on the Sea of Galilee, walked the Via Dolorosa … to be crucified for us. We ended at a church built over the quarry where we believe Jesus was crucified, and where they celebrate the stone being rolled away, because our Savior rose on the third day!

  “A picture is worth a thousand words” and Steve Siewert’s amazing photos have helped paint the picture of our trip to Israel, but there is no way to express in pictures or words what it feels like to walk where Jesus walked. It is something beyond pictures and beyond words. 

-Doug & Cheri Siewert