We walked where Jesus walked today.  Some of the path we walked on is 30-40 feet above the actual stones that Jesus walked on.  This is because the city of Jerusalem has been destroyed and rebuilt several times in the last 2000 years.  However, in about 3 or 4 places, you could actually walk on and touch the stones where Jesus walked and stumbled with His cross.  We could see where the soldiers gambled for his clothes.  These locations are now like caves below the surface of the modern city.

We have been fortunate to visit Israel at a low tourist season so that we can actually stop at these popular places, reflect on the story, read scripture, pray, and sing old hymns.  It has been a great time of worship.

We traveled the via de la rosa or as the Catholics call it, ‘the stations of the cross’.  There are 14 spots they have identified that Jesus walked from his sentencing by Pilate to the burial.  Some of the stops are not in scripture.  They were added by the church.

The place where most orthodox churches believe the actual cross and tomb were are under a large church called the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.  There are tons of candles being lit, prayers, etc.  A lot of Catholic style worship going on.  We did not really stay long here.

We toured the Muslim temple and shopped in the Muslim part of the Temple mount for a while.  It truly felt like a third world country.  A very tight, bustling marketplace.  Strange sights and smells going on for sure.

In the afternoon, we went to a place called ‘The garden tomb”.  This is owned by a protestant group and they have a strong theory that this is the place of the cross and tomb.  There is an actual hill that looks like a skull “Golgotha” and a tomb near by that fits the description in the gospels.  We read scripture, sang songs, and Pastor Ani Simonson led us in communion.

We began our adventure in Old Jerusalem today.  We have 2 more full days here.  There is so much to see.

We started near King David’s tomb and many people believe that the ‘upper room’ was above this tomb.  It is highly unlikely that the actual upper room was in this location (for many reasons).  However, we read the story of the Last Supper and Acts 2 “day of Pentecost”.  I had a hard time reading through this.  Very emotional.  That was followed by a great prayer by us all.

Then, we walked down steps (Jerusalem is hilly like San Marcos) to the place where Jesus was taken to Caiphas.  We were able to go into the actual ‘dungeon’ where they kept prisoners overnight.  Jesus was held in this little room. It was about 15′ x 15′ and about 15′ tall.  There was a small hole in the ceiling where they moved people in and out.

After lunch, we went to a MASSIVE replica of the Old City of Jerusalem.  It was probably 75′ wide and 3′ tall.  We had to go up to another level to see the whole thing.  It made the whole city and story unfold before us.  For the first time, we could actually get a good perspective where everything happened.

We spent the afternoon at the Jerusalem Holocaust Museum.  I had been to the one in Washington DC, however, to walk side by side Jews throughout the exhibits was intense.

Tomorrow, we continue to walk through the Old Jerusalem and follow the stations of the Cross.

For other posts on Israel, click here.

We are starting to get a much clearer picture of the modern conflict of Israel and the Palestinians.  We have spent the last 2 days in Palestinian territory and have found out from the locals that the news we get in America is not an accurate portrayal of what is really going on.

Here are the lessons we have learned so far:

1. Technically, it is all Israel’s land due to the war.  However, after several treaties, they have agreed to allow Palestinians to live and control portions of the country.  There are 3 types of areas.
   1. Type A – totally controlled by Palestinians “PLO”.  Gaza (southwest), Golan Heights (far north east), and West Bank (eastern/middle including Jericho and Bethlehem).  Of these, Gaza is the most blocked off and no one goes in or out.  Hamas is taken control from PLO.  Thankfully, there are not very many sites to see there anyway.
   2. Type B – land still negotiated by both Israel and Palestinians.  Tensions have risen from this area.
   3. Type C – Israel is in total control and Palestine has nothing to say about it.
2. Palestinian does not mean Muslim.  In fact, Bethlehem is Palestinian and 75% Christian!  These are the descendants of the first believers.  These Palestinians are the some of the nicest/gentle people we have met.  (They know Jesus!)
3. Israeli does not mean Jewish.  There are a lot of Christians in Nazareth and other parts of the country.  There are Muslims in several pockets of Isreal (type C) land.  Actually, the Temple Mount is in type C land, but controlled by Muslims. That is the big gold dome you see in all pics of Jerusalem.
4. Based on the 2 and 3 above, it puts Christian believers all over the map.  I have always associated Jewish as on the side of the Christian and Palestinian on the side of the Muslim.  This is not always the case.  In fact, Jews are often just as hostile toward Christian believers.
5. ‘Israeli’ is the nationality and ‘Jewish’ is the religion.  In other words, you can have and Israeli Christian.  This would be called and Israeli Arab Christian.  As mentioned above, you can also have a Palestinian Arab Christian.
6. Palestinians are grateful for tourists.  Generally, it is safe to travel in these areas because tourism is their biggest economy.  The danger only comes when tension arises from Israeli/Palestinian issues.

Palestinian Friends! This Christian couple owns a restaurant.

Here are the sites we saw today.

• Jesus Baptism Location – a muddy part of the Jordan close to Jericho.  Not much to see.
• Mount of Olives/view of Temple Mount – Incredible experience as we crested the hill and saw Jerusalem for the first time.  Everyone in the bus was weeping.  Seriously. Powerful.
• Garden of Gethsemane – We saw trees that were there with Jesus.  Over 2000 years old.
• Herodium (King Herod’s palace and burial place) – A horrible man.
• Bethlehem (Palestinian Territory) – Wonderful time in this area.  Sang beautiful Christmas songs in Shepherd’s field and at Christ’s birthplace.
• Where Ruth worked for Boaz (fields) – We saw the terraced farmland where Ruth worked.
• Shepherds field (Christmas Night)
• Jesus’ Birthplace

Garden of Gethsemane.  3000 year old Olive tree

Eastern Gate

More Posts about our trip: click here