To try to convey this experience with a page of words is an impossible task. We see and learn and experience so much it is such a challenge to share. So if a picture is worth a thousand words, then let me share more in pictures for this day.
We saw the Temple Mount which is the most most recognizable and well photographed building in Israel. Since it is a Mosque, non-Muslims are not allowed inside. The Mosque is built over one of the most significant rocks in history. It was on that rock that Abraham was going to sacrifice Isaac before God stopped him. It was on that rock the Jewish people believed God created the first human, Adam. It was on that rock the Muslims believe the prophet Muhammed ascended into heaven. And it was on that rock that the first and second temple was built, the second temple being the one Jesus would attend when in Jerusalem.
We also saw some interesting sites like the tomb of David...
and the tunnel system that was built over a natural spring to supply water for the city of David, back then inside the Jerusalem walls but accidentally left out when the wall was rebuilt.
But the most meaningful sites revolved around Jesus' life. A place called the Upper Room symbolizing the room that Jesus met with his disciples that last night. No one knows exactly what room it was but this was as good a location and place as any.
We went to Caiphus' House where Jesus was taken after he was arrested and waited for his trial and where Peter denied Jesus 3 times. The holding cells were underground and we went down there and saw the places prisoners were kept temporarily. While we don't know which one it was for sure, scholars are pretty certain Jesus spend the night in these underground holding cells and walked up these steps on the way to his trial with Pontius Pilate
We went to the Mount of Olives where we experienced the Garden of Gethsemane. They have lots of olive trees there and nice gardens as well as a church built around a rock that Jesus could have sat on as he prayed "Not my will but your will be done, O Lord."
It was at the Garden where we met an American tour group who invited us to join them for communion at the Garden Tomb. The Garden Tomb is one place where Jesus could have been buried and then raised. It is close to Golgotha (the skull) where he was crucified. We even saw the rock that looks like a skull...if you use your imagination.
But the highlight of the day was our Ash Wednesday service. We had almost given up on celebrating the imposition of ashes since we didn't know who was doing it or where to go. But when we went to the Pool of Siloam, it dawned on us: this was the perfect place. It was near here that Jesus took dust from the ground and spit on it creating mud and spread it on the blind man's eyes so he could see. Then he told the man to go wash in the Pool of Siloam and he could see (John 9). Instead of spitting, we took water from the nearby spring and dust from the same ground and reminded each other "Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return." We sat on the same stones that were there in Jesus day and shed a tear or two at the meaning of it all. May our eyes be opened as well by Jesus himself as we see God's hand at work in every day we are here, and every day hereafter. May God grant us an open spirit, a listening ear, and a willing heart.
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