Jerusalem, Jerusalem

What a day! After returning from walking around the city, I can say first it is a city full of holy sites, and second, I still need to lose a few pounds. We began today on the Mount of Olives, first with a beautiful overlook of the city.

After that we walked downhill to the Church known as Dominus Flevit which translates "The Lord wept." At this site we recalled Jesus' weeping on the way to Jerusalem. It is recalled in Luke 13:34 "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling!" Within the Church, there is a window with a perfect view of the city and you will also see, built into the altar, a picture of Jesus the hen.

At the bottom of the Mount of Olives is the Church of All Nations, also known as the Church of Gethsemane. This is where Jesus went through his agony before meeting Judas and the soldiers who would take him away to be judged and crucified. Here it is where Jesus sweat blood and said those words of fear and abandonment, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done." Luke 22:42 At this place you can find the actual stone where Jesus went apart to pray.

The Original Garden with ancient olive trees

The Rock of Agony

The Mosaic on the Outside

From here we took a bus ride across the Kidron Valley (where some of the prophets were buried) to the Upper Room and the Tomb of David. Here, in a Muslim controlled building, is where Jesus and His disciples celebrated the Last Supper, he instituted the Eucharist, and instituted the priesthood. While this building was made in the time of the Crusades, the location is where the Last Supper was held.

Right next to the Upper Room is the tomb of David, the King of Ancient Israel, and God's beloved.

Down the hill a little ways, we arrived at St. Peter Gallicantu which is built over both the High Priest's home and the place where Peter wept after denying the Lord three times before the cock crowed. Underneath the church were prison cells were they believed Jesus stayed after he was condemned and next to the Church is a 1st century road that most likely Jesus, would have walked on.

A cistern they may have thrown Jesus into during his short imprisonment.

On our way to lunch we passed by Potter's field, where Judas Isacariot committed suicide and Gahenna, the ancient location of human pagan sacrifice outside the city walls.

Down below is Potter's field

Gehenna - doesn't look very hellish, does it?

As the afternoon began, we also began our walking tour of Jerusalem. We entered the city and first visited the Western Wall, the holiest site on earth for Judaism. We then were going to begin walking on the Via Dolorosa or the Way of the Cross but our way was barred due to difficulties in the Muslim quarter. We weren't told what was happening, just that we couldn't go there. So moving backwards we began at the 7th Station, Jesus's second fall and then back to 6, Veronica wipes the face of Jesus. We then went onward through the city, seeing each successive station until we reached Holy Sepulchre.

The Western Wall

If you reach down in that hole, you can touch Golgatha, the ancient hill on which Jesus was crucified. 

I am going to get back to you soon with both pictures and details about the Holy Sepulchre, but until then, I need a nap.