Our Last Day

Thursday morning, promising to be one of our busiest days, we gladly accepted an extra half hour sleep, then we headed to the Temple Mount. The group was especially excited to visit the temple because earlier in the week we had a change of plans due to a flat tire. And yet, that flat tire turned into an unexpected happenstance as we ran into Prince William and his entourage as he visited the site as well! Okay...on to the importance stuff.

As our trusty driver Meir dropped us at the temple steps we noticed that today’s walk up to the temple passing the Western Wall would be different than our previous visit. Thursday mornings in the city are a time of celebration and we were lucky enough to venture by numerous Bar and Bat Mitzvah’s. The sounds of drums, saxophones, and clapping surrounded proud mothers, fathers, and family members celebrating their sons and daughters. It was a neat cultural experience as we felt and participated in the joy the families were expressing. How could one not smile as these young men and women awkwardly move into adulthood through this ceremony.

Onward toward the mount, through tight security and a modesty check we opened up to the Gentile Court, where Ronen taught us about daily life and why people from the surrounding areas would come to the courts. Climbing the last set of stairs we were in front of the Dome of the Rock, where at the present time only Muslims can enter. We learned about Islam as Ronen explained the history of Mohammed and why this site is one of the most contested locations for Jews, Christians, and Muslims. The site is a flat plaza surrounded by retaining walls (including the Western Wall) which was built during the reign of Herod the Great for an expansion of the temple, we walked the entire plaza talking about how it’s considered the holiest site in Judaism and third holiest site for Muslims.

A walk to the Pools of Bethesda for a devotional then we were onto the Garden of Gethsemane, where we read Matthew’s account of Jesus’ betrayal by Judas. While there is now a church in this location, the steps served as our classroom and the geography of Jerusalem became so much more real.

The climb up the Mount of Olives was next on out list. The spectacular views of Jerusalem served as an ideal sight as Paul led us in communion looking down on the East Gate or as it’s sometimes called the Golden Gate (Acts 3:2). While the gate has long been blockaded, it’s a beautiful site to gaze upon as we ponder Ezekiel, where scripture says that a prince will enter through this gate, it will be closed, and eventually reopened!

After a quick lunch, we walked the Via Dolorosa, the street where supposedly Jesus walked in Old Jerusalem on his way to his crucifixion. The winding path meandered through the city and eventually led us to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The devotion of visitors was inspiring and a bit odd, as they progressed through the stations of the cross by bowing, touching, and kissing many of the artifacts, like the Stone of Unction, the spot supposedly where Christ’s body was prepared for burial. In the end, these symbols and rituals of Golgotha are moving to watch as we reflect on Christ’s sacrifice.

The day’s adventures ended at the Israel Museum, situated on a hill in the Givat Ram neighborhood of Jerusalem. An amazing encyclopedic collection, we spent time reviewing what we learned this week with a model of the Old City Jerusalem based upon the most up-to-date archeological evidence regarding the Second Temple Period. The model reconstructs everything from the topography to architectural character of the city as it was prior to its destruction by the Romans in 66 CE. We then proceeded into a building designed like a clay jar that housed the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Tired and sore, we refreshed quickly at the hotel and went to dinner in the city. Sitting on a rooftop terrace, we reflected on our trip, handed out some funny awards, and walked through the light festival that was happening throughout the city. A magical end to an exhilarating trip, it’s back to California for this group of travelers, forever changed by what we learned and where we walked.
Jim and Rachel Daichendt