The heart of the story

Today we explored the area surrounding the old city on foot. Jerusalem is built on a hill and so after many steep climbs, we know our calves will definitely feel this tomorrow. The best report is that we walked 18,000 steps and 61 large staircases!

To begin, a 15 minute movie helped us to travel through a magical time tunnel to learn about the history of ancient Jerusalem and the City of David. I am not sure the 3 pastors on our tour needed this debrief but I think they enjoyed the 3D effects and wearing the ridiculous looking glasses as much as the rest of us. However for me, the movie was such a great way to set the stage for the day. I was mesmerized by the story of David and his people conquering Jerusalem, the complex water systems and other fasicinsting biblical events from the latter part of the Davidic rule until Israel was captured by the Babylonians. Time to go and explore this story up close and personal.

Our morning walk began by ascending to the City of David, where it all began. Here we find relics from an ancient Canaanite City and remains from the King David era, which Solomon and the Kings of Judah called the City of David. In the excavations a thrilling picture of many foundation layers of the city was uncovered. One of the structures is the foundation stone from the Jebusite period. In another layer, archeologists believe they have found the remains of King David’s palace. Other ruins are a residential quarter from the First Temple period and a city wall and tower from the Second Temple. The continuity of what they are finding here in Israel and what the Bible says is remarkable. Part of this area features the location of Hezekiah’s Tunnel, the ancient water conduit that brought water to Jerusalem in biblical times. Half of our group took a 40 minute walk in the 70 cm deep water along this 2700 year old tunnel to the Shiloah Pool. We were glad to have a few cell phone flashlights to guide the way, but did spend a minute in pure silence and darkness to try and hear, in our imaginations the ancient conversations from when the tunnel was being constructed.

In David’s city we explored the tombs of the House of David, royal graves hewn into the rock. We also discover Warren’s shaft, the most impressive ancient underground water system yet to be excavated.

The old quarter is divided into four traditional demgraogic quarters: the Jewish, Armenian, Muslim and Christian quarters. We walked and talked our way through them all. Of great interest was to follow in the footsteps of Jesus along the Via Dolorosa ( the way of the cross ) and to put our hands on and pray at the Western Wailing Wall. I also marvelled as I sat in the spot where Peter preached his message on the first Pentecost. 3000 people were cut to the heart by the gospel that day and were baptized.

A quick lunch and people watching was enjoyed as we sat together by a large gold menorah statue. I visited with 2 young female Israeli solidiers in a gelato shop, I needed a sugar hit from all that exercise. The girls were so beautiful and friendly, but their big weapons did not seem right or natural to me.

From here our agenda took us to the Garden Tomb. According to the scriptures, Jesus was crucified in a place named “the Skull” (Golgotha in Aramaic). In the mid-19th century, several Christian scholars suggested that the rocky cliff, which can be viewed from the garden, marked the place of our Messiah’s crucifixion. Also, within this peaceful and contemplative garden, there is an ancient Jewish tomb which many believe is the site of Jesus’s burial and resurrection. There are many awesome places of Christian pilgrimage in Jerusalem and the Garden Tomb is one of those special places where you feel humbled as you experience the emotions felt by other pilgrims as they gaze on these sites with wonderment and heartfelt gratitude for Jesus’s saving work on the cross for our sins.

We ended our day at St Anne and the Pools of Bethesda. The double significance of the site - both birthplace of Mary and one of the miracles of Jesus turned this site into an important Christian sanctuary. Early Christian tradition places the home of Joachim and Anne( Mary’s parents) next to a double pool that was a popular healing center - the pool of Bethesda, known to us from the Gospel of John. The site is exactly where Jesus healed a paralytic man. [Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Hebrew called Bethesda, which has five porticoes. In these lay a multitude of invalids--blind, lame, and paralyzed.” (Jn 5:2-3)]

As we prepare to head to Jordan tomorrow, our heart of the story tour in Israel 🇮🇱 ends. By virtue of fulfilling the biblical calling to ascend to Jerusalem, the Holy City Capital of Israel we are now all authorized to bear the title of Jerusalem pilgrim. I shared my certificate with Jeff and he said using a John Wayne dialect would make it more real......”Well hello there pilgrim.”

In all seriousness now, as we say goodbye to Israel, an important truth sets in. We all made this 9900 km voyage to see Jesus’s land , where he lived, died and was resurrected only to discover all along He has been looking for us. The Heart is our gift to God.

[My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways - Proverbs 23:26]Les mer