Day 08 - Jerusalem: Temple Mount, Western Wall, Southern Steps, City of David, Hezekiah's Tunnel, St. Peter's of Gallilcantu

A bit of sun this morning, which we are all grateful for. Worship was “K ing of My Heart” - "you are good Lord, you are never going to let us down."

Devotion was led by Peggy under the peeking sun. Scripture today John 2:18-19 - the disciples ask Jesus, what sign can you show us, to prove your authority?

Jesus said destroy this temple, and I will raise it in 3 days.

Our assurance is not in a temple or place but in Jesus.

The most holy place was held back from the people of old. Now we have access to the person of Jesus, through the Holy Spirit. He is the true tabernacle, the true temple.

When we go to Jesus to meet with God. Nothing stands between us.

So we began our puzzle of Jerusalem.

We started at Mt. Moriah - The Temple mount. A lot of walking today we were anticipated 5 hours off bus….this was a correct estimation!

As we enter the temple we were instructed to have no weapons and no Bibles today. The Temple is controlled by Palestine.

We traveled from west to east. Our hotel was the border of Israel and Jordan from1948-1967, the conflict of Jordan and Israel. Two generals met and decided on the boundaries in 1948. Again a reminder that this is complicated place.

We drove past Mt. of Olives and the Kidron valley.

As we entered the Temple Mount we went through security and they approached us a we began our first lesson.

This is an active tel with over 40 civilizations discovered.

Ronen taught 7 stories about the mount.

First Abraham and Isaac, this is where Abraham was tested to sacrifice Isaac. Second David conquered the city 1000 years later. Third Solomon built first temple, but was lost to Babylonians.

Fourth were the Zionist Jews and Zerubbabel rebuilt the temple….fifth was the expansion by King Herod….same guy who built Caesarea Maritima…this is the temple Jesus came to!

Sixth the Romans destroy temple and the area changed to Palastine. Lastly in 638 AD the Muslims come…..yes all this is 1 hour!!

Next stop was the Wailing Wall/Western Wall. This is a place for prayer. This is the closest you can get to the former Holy of Holies.

This wall is under the houses of Muslims. We walked the underground caves and saw the massive stones used to build it.

We saw the cardo (Main Street) of Jesus’s Jerusalem and the corner stone.

We spoke of the strength of the temple but that Jesus is our corner stone.

We split off men and women to pray at the wall….

We then moved onto the Southern Steps.

Jesus taught here!

He stayed in Bethany, which means house of the poor man. It was the home of Lazarus.

In the pouring rain we read Acts 2 where the Holy Spirit is given to all who believe - Pentecost (Shavuot) - salvation for all people

3000 believers added that day. These steps mark the beginning of the church.

We are called to take the message to Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth... our question is, what do we do after we leave here?

This time was a time of reflection…knowing we are living stones for Jesus, the Holy Spirit in each of us.

We then walked in the pouring rain to the City of David, where it all began!

We  watched a 3D movie where it was warm with some coffee and snacks.

This place only discovered 15 years ago. Many scriptures speak of this place, 1 Samuel 5 - David’s palace, 2 Chronicles 2 Solomon palace, 1 Kings 8, 2 Chron. 32, 2 Kings 19 and in Jeremiah, city will fall if without justice.

Still an active archeological site and discovering more more each year.

We reviewed the story of David and Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11 & 12, and how sin compounds sin, but David repented, he returned to the Lord.

Lunch in the rain….Israeli burritos, yummy and warm….and more coffee!

Then it was time for Hezekiah's Tunnel. This is where King Hezekiah rerouted water to defeat the Assyrians. 500 yards tunnel in knee to waist high water. 8 of us conquered the land! We sang worship songs together as we made this journey. Others took the dry shaft…which wasn’t so dry.

At the end we stopped at the Pool of Siloam. This is a huge mikveh before entering Jerusalem. Psalms of Accent sung from this place.

This where Jesus healed the blind man, John 9: 1-41.

"I was blind but now I see."

Last stop was St. Peter's of Gallilcantu.  We were asked to enter this place with just our eyes ears and heart.

The modern church built 130 years ago. This is where Peter denied Jesus. The leading belief is that this is where the house of Caiaphas, the leader of the Sanhedrin. The “sacred pit” is the dungeon where Jesus was held. We read Psalm 88 in the pit.

The emotion was palpable in this place, imagining Jesus torment in this place. 

We were able to see the pathway from the Garden of Gathsemane, to the upper room and to the place Jesus was taken after his arrest.

As we left this place it was pouring rain. Then another rainbow or war bow (keshet-Hebrew), we all recognized that we have seen a rainbow almost everyday. Remembering God said he wouldn’t bring wrath on the earth. Jesus took the wrath.

This day was full….as we prepare our hearts for tomorrow and our last day we are called to reflect, remember and sit in all the God has revealed to each of us.

Our hearts are overflowed with his goodness.

Shalom