Tuesday, November 4th

Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Everyday just gets better. It’s hard to think we could absorb so much of what we have studied for so many years. Everything comes together. Everything is etched in our minds. I don’t think I will ever read the Bible the same again.
Today we went through many gates in the old city. We started off our day with Psalms 118:21-24 but I want to go to a few verses earlier.
Vs 19 Open to me the gates of righteousness. I will go through them, And I will praise the Lord. 20 This is the gate of the Lord, Through which the righteous shall enter. 21 I will praise you. For you have answered me. And you have become my salvation. 22 The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. 23 This was the Lord’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes. 24 This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Our first stop was the Kotel (wailing wall or western wall) It was so awesome to pray where millions have prayed before. I hope to visit again on our free day when I have more time. It’s awesome to see in person what I have been watching on the internet since April.
We then went to the Temple Mount. This is the man-made surface that is cut out of Mt Zion where the original Temple of Solomon and the second Temple stood. Currently the Mosque or Dome of the Rock is there and the Muslims control it. Tommy showed us where, in his humble but accurate opinion, the Holy of Holies was and the temple. There is room beside the mosque for it to be built. And there is nothing there. It is directly in line with the Eastern Gate where Jesus will come through when he returns.
This gate was sealed over 1000 yrs when Saladin took the city. The Muslims sealed the gate so Jesus couldn’t return through it like cement could hold back the King of Kings.
Then we went the Courtyard of Pilate. It is below where we were. Remember civilizations build on top of other civilizations. The stones were so old and worn down so they looked almost polished. You could see the chariot ruts much like the old wagon wheel ruts on some of the trails in Wyoming. There were markings on the floor where the Roman guards used to play a game with dice. It suggested that maybe this was the place where they gambled for Jesus’ robes.
Next was the Pool of Bethesda. This is a place of healing that many came to. The Bible says when an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; ten whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water was made well of whatever disease he had. This was the pool where the man who had an infirmity for 38 years was healed by Jesus. He could not go to the pool because he had no one to help him in. I felt like I was standing in the place of so many of my friends who could never be able make this trip because of illnesses they had. What a privilege to pray for each of you there! You know who you are. I love you.
We then went through the Lions gate where Stephen would have been dragged through and on down the street to be stoned and caught our bus.
As we drove to the top of the Mount of Olives you could see the mass of gravestones all over it. The Jews do believe that Messiah will return on the Mount of Olives and that the dead will be risen on that day so all want to be buried there and have been for eons. Our Guide reminded us of the Psalm by David that said Yea, though I walk through the valley of death… Looking down from there into the Kidron Valley you can see that same verse applying here. From our place we could see the entire city of Jerusalem both new and old. It was an amazing view. You could envision Jesus weeping of Jerusalem. He could see it all. Of course, we couldn’t just leave with out riding a camel so we all stood in line for some great photo ops. I wish I could get the pics to you but it just won’t work so you will have to wait until I get home.
For our last stop we had communion in the place that tradition holds is the upper room. Our cups were made of olive wood. It was very moving and special and sweet to share with so many.
I have taken almost 600 pictures now. I still have two days to go. I hope you guys are all saving a few days for lots of teaching. I could do about 2 years worth already.
Love you bunches and wish you could be here. Janet