An emotional day and also a good lesson on discernment versus judgment.
The Western Wall Tunnel - a lot of former Sunday School lessons came alive today with this unscheduled addition to our agenda. This underground view of he original Western Wall surrounding Jeruselem. Incredible. This was part of Herod's efforts and included some huge single rocks that were set in place - a single chiseled boulder measuring 150' in length. Since this was the Western Wall we saw many praying at this underground wall. And as a reminder, the Western Wall was the wall closest to the Holy of Holy's and therefore the most sacred. The initial pictures for today will be from this wall, which is 50 feet below ground level.
Mount of Olives - my heart was weak in this spot as I imagined our Lord's prayers in his place. Knowing what He was there to do and the anticipation of the event. One can plainly see Jerusalem from here, and much to my surprise, the Garden of Gethsemane is just a little further down the hill. My spirit imagined that final journey into Jerusalem, one where people were singing Hosanna on Psalm Sunday and the next calls for His crucifixion. That anguish is hard to think about.
There is a Jewish cemetery on that same slope. Unlike our traditions, visitors to these graves leave a rock on top of the grave covering with each visit and prayer.
The Garden - a beautiful spot but also of strong emotions - disciples not able to stay awake, the place of His arrest etc. There is a church there now and known as the Basilica of Agony - fitting for the pain that pierced this place of beauty. Also at his place are the trees where the crown was made. My mind does not like to go to those places.
My prejudice was humbled as we saw the other sites for the day. We journeyed to Bethlehem, which is in Pakistan - yes, check points and everything. Our normal guide, an Israeli, is not allowed to guide in that area so we had a Pakistani - Christian. Yep, you heard correctly, a brother in Christ. His zeal for Christ, His people, and His glorious history was very obvious. He toured us through the Church of Nativity - a very diverse but beautiful church where Greek, Armenians and Latins share this cross shaped church. This original church is dated to 614 and was almost destroyed by be Persians . The only reason it was not was because of the invading army saw pictures of the Wise Men hanging on the wall as they entered. The Wise Men were from Persia. This site contains the location where Mary gave birth to Jesus and where He was laid in the manger. The Catholic Chapel of Saint Catherine is nearby and is also very beautiful.
Shepherds Field is only 3 Km from the above and is supposedly where the shepherds were tending their sheep. These cave like areas have since been modernized with walls but what was most striking was the view from this spot to where the shining star would have been. Easily seen up the hill. Appropriately we sang Silent Night as a prayer of Thanksgiving.
The most awaking moment of the day was a visit to Bethlehem Bible College. We broke bread with our very gracious hots and then enjoyed a biblical and political history of this land war between Arab and Jew. It was a refreshing perspective and cast the Palestinians in a different light. This college produces many Christian missionaries to the Palestinian and Muslim people.
Tomorrow will be the largest struggle of this trip - emotionally and spiritually as we travel the path of Via Dolorosa. I covet your prayers.
My apologies for being behind on picture captions. I will likely not catch up until sometime after this trip. See today's at Day 8
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