Jerusalem
Sean led in bus devotions shairing about Hezekiah's tunnel. Fitting since we were heading there first. Actually, we started in David's city with a brief explanation of where his palace was and some insights to the current excavations. Then we saw a 3-D presentation explaining how Jerusalem got started on the Southern HIll - then Mt. Zion. It was a very helpful presentation. Our new guide, Itey, walked us through Warrens Shaft, part of the water system of the city andn then down to Hezekiah's tunnel. 6 of us opted to wade through the tunnel - 1,200 yards of space narrower than I am and usuall
y not quite as tall. My legs and back still hurt. The tunnel makes many bends but somehow, in Hezekiah's day they actually did meet in the middle. We came out in (or near) the Pool of Siloam, where Jesus healed the blind man. When David attacked the city it was said that the blind and lame could not enter. So there seems to be something behind the miracles that Jesus did in the city - healing both the blind here and the lame at the Pool of Bethesda our next stop.
While at the sight of the Pool of Bethesda, we entered the St. Anne's church, commemorating Mary's mother. The church, built by the Crusaders is acoustically amazing. We sang to prove it and the echoes took about 6 seconds to stop. Right out side the church complex the Via Dolorosa starts near what is called the Ecce Homo (behold the man) Arch. We saw the paving stones which may havebeenint he Fortress Atonia and had remains of a Roman game carved into them. Along the Via Dolorosa we had lunch and made our way to the Church of the Holy Sepulchure. I think we must have done this church is record time - about minutes. We were in a hurry but all of us saw their version of the sight of the crucifixion and the tomb.
We were in a hurry because we had a chance to go to Herodian. This was in the news lately when the finding of the Tomb complex of King Herod was found. Since this is in Palestinian territroy we were not sure we would get in but it all went without a hitch. In the middle of desert, this complex was a palace complete with bathhouses and swimming pools. For all of his building Herod is gone but his structures, built in the shadow of Bethlehem meannothingcomapred to the King of Kings.
We finished the day with a tour of the Garden Tomb, much more realistic than the previous church. Wayne and I led in a communion service which was certainly meaningful to us. Wayne and Sean leave tonight and as they leave another couple from Carl's church arrived for the second half.
Sean led in bus devotions shairing about Hezekiah's tunnel. Fitting since we were heading there first. Actually, we started in David's city with a brief explanation of where his palace was and some insights to the current excavations. Then we saw a 3-D presentation explaining how Jerusalem got started on the Southern HIll - then Mt. Zion. It was a very helpful presentation. Our new guide, Itey, walked us through Warrens Shaft, part of the water system of the city andn then down to Hezekiah's tunnel. 6 of us opted to wade through the tunnel - 1,200 yards of space narrower than I am and usuall
y not quite as tall. My legs and back still hurt. The tunnel makes many bends but somehow, in Hezekiah's day they actually did meet in the middle. We came out in (or near) the Pool of Siloam, where Jesus healed the blind man. When David attacked the city it was said that the blind and lame could not enter. So there seems to be something behind the miracles that Jesus did in the city - healing both the blind here and the lame at the Pool of Bethesda our next stop.While at the sight of the Pool of Bethesda, we entered the St. Anne's church, commemorating Mary's mother. The church, built by the Crusaders is acoustically amazing. We sang to prove it and the echoes took about 6 seconds to stop. Right out side the church complex the Via Dolorosa starts near what is called the Ecce Homo (behold the man) Arch. We saw the paving stones which may havebeenint he Fortress Atonia and had remains of a Roman game carved into them. Along the Via Dolorosa we had lunch and made our way to the Church of the Holy Sepulchure. I think we must have done this church is record time - about minutes. We were in a hurry but all of us saw their version of the sight of the crucifixion and the tomb.
We were in a hurry because we had a chance to go to Herodian. This was in the news lately when the finding of the Tomb complex of King Herod was found. Since this is in Palestinian territroy we were not sure we would get in but it all went without a hitch. In the middle of desert, this complex was a palace complete with bathhouses and swimming pools. For all of his building Herod is gone but his structures, built in the shadow of Bethlehem meannothingcomapred to the King of Kings.
We finished the day with a tour of the Garden Tomb, much more realistic than the previous church. Wayne and I led in a communion service which was certainly meaningful to us. Wayne and Sean leave tonight and as they leave another couple from Carl's church arrived for the second half.
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