Day 6 - Thursday: Jerusalem and the City of David

We started our day early with a rare treat – the Temple Mount! We walked through the very area where the Temple once stood. We walked right up to the iconic Dome of the Rock and passed by the Golden Gate from inside the Jerusalem wall. This is the only gate in Jerusalem that is closed. Knowing the prophecies about the Messiah coming through this gate, the Muslims have shut it completely. On the inside of the wall, there is a library and school built against the gate. On the outside, a Muslim cemetery was created in hopes that the Messiah would not cross over unclean ground. We know that nothing can stop our God! Whenever and wherever He chooses to enter, He can!

The Pools of Bethesda was our next stop. Jesus healed the paralyzed man who was waiting by this pool in John 5:1-15. Ruins from several ancient churches now fill the pools creating a unique place to explore. The nearby Church of St. Anne’s marks the birthplace of Mary. We enjoyed the specially designed acoustics of this building while singing Amazing Grace inside the domed altar.

We followed the Via Dolorosa from the place where Jesus received his cross to the place where He fell under the weight and Simon of Cyrene helped him.

Rather than continuing this path, we journeyed to the Western Wall. A VIP was coming to the area, so we knew they would close early. However, we had plenty of time for prayer and reflection at this sacred spot. We continued our tour of the temple area through the Rabbinical Tunnels. These tunnel excavations follow along the only remaining wall from the temple area. One area of the tunnels reveals the first century stone pavement where Jesus actually walked.

We went out of the Old City of Jerusalem through the Lion’s Gate we had seen earlier. From there, we followed the wall through the Muslim cemetery that stands before the Golden Gate. We could also look down into the Kidron Valley and across to the Mount of Olives. We could clearly see the Garden of Gethsemane where we would go later in the day. As we reached the corner of the east wall of Jerusalem, we turned the corner to see the southern steps by which Jesus went up to the Temple. These are the very steps from which He taught the people.

This journey led us to the City of David. The Jerusalem of King David was further south than the walls of today. After lunch, a movie, and viewing ruins of David's ancient city, most of our group chose to go through Hezekiah's Tunnel. This tunnel was constructed to bring water into the city of Jerusalem and ends at the Pool of Siloam where a blind man was healed by Jesus (John 9:1-7).

Having walked all morning, we were glad to finally be on the bus for a few minutes. We rode to the top of the Mount of Olives. Then, we followed the Palm Sunday Road down the mountain. 

Rather than entering the city as Jesus did that day, we stopped at the Garden of Gethsemane. We read of Jesus' prayer and arrest in Matthew 26:36-56. We took time here for individuals or families to spend time in meditation and reflection.

Although we had already walked about 8 miles, most of us were ready for more. While some went back to the hotel to rest before dinner, most of us went to the Christian Quarter of the Old City for some shopping and relaxing. Our tour guide, Jacob, grew up here and lives in this area. He introduced us to his friends and some of his family before leaving us for the day. We stayed in the city to shop, eat snacks, and just be together. 

After dinner, we spent over an hour laughing and enjoying being together. Usually, these gatherings are spent discussing our spiritual reflections from the day. Tonight, however, was all about joy in each other's company. We had prayed that God would knit us together in each other's hearts. God has truly done that. We came as strangers and acquaintances, but we have become life long friends and family. Thank you for all who are praying for us. We know that God is answering your prayers!