View from Mt of Olives We had a good night sleep in Jerusalem at a 5 star hotel. We’re back on the bus headed to the Mount of Olives. We’ve been warned about the street vendors. We call them RPGs, for “Random Pushy Guys”. The ones at the pyramids in Cairo made used car salesmen look wimpy. Hopefully we can fight our way through them and enjoy this special place where Jesus prayed with the disciples. Jerusalem is surrounded by mountains on all sides except the north. Our tour guide said, “You did not have to be a prophet to predict invasion would come from the north.” The top of the Mt of Olives is a Palestinian area.
It’s 9:00pm and we’re back at the hotel. This day had far too many amazing sites to cover before I fall asleep. The Mt of Olives houses several churches. A church is built on the “traditional site” of practically every event in the Gospels that takes place on this large hill overlooking the temple mount. In fact, one of my favorite moments of the day was that first view of the Dome of the Rock and the old city of Jerusalem. We snapped photos from a railed walkway at the top of the Mt of Olives. Once again I just couldn’t believe I was really here looking at Jerusalem. We could see the Golden Gate, the one tradition says Jesus carried his cross through. It was a moving beginning to an unforgettable day.
I loved the Pater Noster Church built on the site Jesus taught the disciples the Lord’s Prayer. This beautiful Catholic Church has a wonderful visual of Christian unity. Throughout the church are large tiles with the Lord’s Prayer printed on them. Each tile, about 70, has the prayer in a different language. Every language from Hebrew to Cherokee Indian was represented.
It’s 9:00pm and we’re back at the hotel. This day had far too many amazing sites to cover before I fall asleep. The Mt of Olives houses several churches. A church is built on the “traditional site” of practically every event in the Gospels that takes place on this large hill overlooking the temple mount. In fact, one of my favorite moments of the day was that first view of the Dome of the Rock and the old city of Jerusalem. We snapped photos from a railed walkway at the top of the Mt of Olives. Once again I just couldn’t believe I was really here looking at Jerusalem. We could see the Golden Gate, the one tradition says Jesus carried his cross through. It was a moving beginning to an unforgettable day.
I loved the Pater Noster Church built on the site Jesus taught the disciples the Lord’s Prayer. This beautiful Catholic Church has a wonderful visual of Christian unity. Throughout the church are large tiles with the Lord’s Prayer printed on them. Each tile, about 70, has the prayer in a different language. Every language from Hebrew to Cherokee Indian was represented.
Pater Noster Church
The biggest surprise for me was the house of Caiaphas, the high priest who presided over the trial of Jesus. What is not recorded in the Gospels is what happens to Jesus from the moment of his arrest to his early morning trial. Typically prisoners would be held in a dungeon under the house of Caiaphas. Early Christian tradition affirms that is what happened to Jesus as well. We descended into a small cavern to a small square room about 10x10. It was a sobering experience to think we were standing in the place where Jesus was cast after being scourged. I read Psalm 88 to the rest of the group, but it is impossible to grasp even the smallest hint of what Jesus actually went through and felt when he was in that dark place.
In contrast to the house of Caiaphas was the visit to the Garden Tomb of Jesus. Our guide at the Garden Tomb was a retired gentleman from England named Bert. He did a wonderful job of telling the story of the Crucifixion and Resurrection while weaving in is own personal testimony of faith. We waited our turn at the open tomb and went inside to see the place where Jesus was laid. Was this the actual tomb of Jesus? No one really knows, but it really is a first century tomb, and it is empty. Our group shared in the Lord’s Supper together beside the tomb. Mike read John 20 and asked us to identify ourselves with either Mary Magdalene or Thomas or one of the other disciples in the story. Taking Communion standing before the empty tomb was a powerful moment. He’s alive! He really is, and that changed everything then, and changes everything today for those of us who believe and receive Him by faith. Tomorrow we’ll be walking the Via Dolorosa.
In contrast to the house of Caiaphas was the visit to the Garden Tomb of Jesus. Our guide at the Garden Tomb was a retired gentleman from England named Bert. He did a wonderful job of telling the story of the Crucifixion and Resurrection while weaving in is own personal testimony of faith. We waited our turn at the open tomb and went inside to see the place where Jesus was laid. Was this the actual tomb of Jesus? No one really knows, but it really is a first century tomb, and it is empty. Our group shared in the Lord’s Supper together beside the tomb. Mike read John 20 and asked us to identify ourselves with either Mary Magdalene or Thomas or one of the other disciples in the story. Taking Communion standing before the empty tomb was a powerful moment. He’s alive! He really is, and that changed everything then, and changes everything today for those of us who believe and receive Him by faith. Tomorrow we’ll be walking the Via Dolorosa.
Part of our group in the dungeon
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