MOVING FORWARD - pastor mike landry

            The journey continues with a visit to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.  This is the site where the Jewish Temple was located before it was destroyed by Rome in 70 AD.  It currently has a Muslem gold-domed shrine on top called the Dome of the Rock.  We waited in line for about an hour to get there and it was well worth the visit.  Many scholars believe the old Temple was not where the mosque was but rather a little further north.  We spent some time at the site that many believe marks the former Holy of Holies location and would be the location of the future predicted Temple. 

            Later in the day we saw the golden menorah that has already be prepared for the new Temple and is displayed in the Jewish quarter of old Jerusalem.

            After visiting the Temple Mount, it was off to St. Stephen’s Gate (or often referred to as the Sheep Gate).  This was the gate Jesus entered on Palm Sunday.  It’s interesting that the “Lamb” of God would enter the Sheep Gate knowing that He was about to lay down His life as a sacrificial lamb.  Jesus was always taking the time to do whatever best illustrated who He is and what He was on earth for.

            Just inside the gate we visited the pool of Bethesda that is mentioned in John 5.  This was the spot where Jesus healed the crippled man on the Sabbath.  Jesus used this occasion to not only heal a suffering man but also to use this miracle to point to His deity.

           Following the pool of Bethesda, we visited a Byzantine Church called St. Anne’s Church.  The architecture of the building was perfect for acoustics and Bob and Tina Earnest led us in a time of singing.  It proved to be a wonderful time of worshipping the Lord Jesus.

           Walking a little further down the Muslim Corridor, we came to Antonio’s Fortress.  This was where Jesus had been tortured prior to His crucifixion.  This was also the location where Pontius Pilate met with Jesus and said he could find nothing wrong with Jesus.  Rick Shepherd shared a devotional about the significance of what happened here and all of us took a few minutes to reflect on how the suffering of Jesus should affect us.

          We then continued down the Via Delarosa to the Damascus Gate where we caught our bus.  It transported us to the Joffa Gate where we hung out at the old city market place.  While walking through the narrow corridors we got separated from a few of our group.  But it didn’t take but a few minutes before we were able to backtrack a little and catch up with them.  Nothing like a little unexpected event to produce a little excitement.

           Then it was off to lunch on a restaurant roof where we had an incredible panoramic view of the whole city.  It was a lunch with Schnitzels, Falafels, and hamburgers.  Best part was resting our tired feet.  We had walked around Jerusalem for 5 hours and needed a break.

            After lunch we visited the Jewish Quarter of Old Jerusalem and saw Hezekiah’s wall.  It was also close to the wall that we saw the Gold Menorah.  Then we went to check out the archaeological park on the southside of the Temple Mount walls where we learned a lot about the process involved in the Jewish offering of sacrifices at the Temple.  We also came to appreciate the expertise and innovation of Herod the Great as he was responsible for rebuilding the Temple as well as so many other projects throughout the Jerusalem region.

            Finally we spent some time at the Western Wall, also known as the “Wailing Wall,” and took some time to explore and pray.  It was amazing seeing so many who came to pray at the Wall.  Hundreds of Israeli soldiers were also there rehearsing for the special ceremonies associated with the anniversary of Israel’s independence.

            After visiting the Wall we went through the “Rabbi’s Tunnel” which enabled us to travel north in a tunnel all along the Temple Mount Wall that was still underground.  We all felt like Indiana Jones as we explored this unique opportunity to go back in time.  The old remains of the city from Jesus’ time were so well preserved and informative.

            As you can see it was a busy day.  Tomorrow we head for Masada, Qumran, En Gedi, and the Dead Sea.  Still wish you could be with us.