We were on our way to the Temple Mount but because we got an early start we went by way of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. The ladder is still leaning against the wall up high. Calvary is still primarily glitz and incense and somewhat dark. People are still kissing the floor where it is said the body of Jesus was laid in preparation for burial. And the line is still long and slow to get into the tomb. Thus we did not go into the tomb area but went on to our primary destination.
This might seem a bit discouraging to you but what passes for the tomb of Jesus is just a slab of stone. The landscape was severely destroyed/altered in order to build the church there. For people who depend on the Bible and not on the traditions of men, the landscape is far more important. We had that conversation in our group, of how much we enjoyed the Galilee area and areas outside Jerusalem because you really get a sense of what it was like in the Biblical stories. Just saying.
The temple mount was fine. Again, it is not like it was when Jesus walked there. So we had pictures and diagrams in our little tour book so we could get an idea of how it looked in the Gospels and Acts. One great story. Joe, one of our group, had his Leatherman tool in his backpack, which is a no-no on the Mount. So before security he pitched it in a trash can. Then he also had to take out his Bible from his bag and leave it on a shelf outside security; no items that might be used for worship are not allowed by the Muslim authorities. When we returned to pick up his Bible, he was also able to retrieve the Leatherman from the trash can. 😊
While on the Mount we saw the back side of the Eastern Gate. Then, going off the north side of the Mount we went to Bethesda where Jesus healed the man on the Sabbath (Jn. 5). Then we took the route outside the Lion Gate, through the Muslim cemetery, underneath the walls on the east side of the Mount, and above the Kidron Valley, with views of the Mt. of Olives. It took us around the SE corner of the Mount, past the Davidson Archaeological Park, and into the Dung Gate.
Our next stop was the Western Tunnel Tours. This takes us along the temple mount retaining wall that is north of what is generally visible, what people call the “western wall.” The guided tour gives some great explanations, and I will say, this being my third time, that it was by far the best explanation.
After that we had lunch. Then were off to the City of David and the Hezekiah Tunnel. While this can be a bit exhausting, and hard if you struggle in tight places, it was enjoyable. It’s my third time. Once is enough but if you have people who have never been there it is helpful if they have someone experienced along.
We took the shuttle back up to the top, all but Joe who enjoyed climbing or running back to the top (he has been trying to get in some running to train for a marathon in the Fall). Then we chose to take the local bus back to our hotel. It would have been a half hour walk uphill. The bus was 11 min. Except that the traffic was very Jerusalemish: totally packed and slow. After an hour we got off and still had a 10 min walk in light rain. It’s Israel: we love the rain! 😊
John 18:1 is a powerful verse, in and of itself, if you know what the Kidron Valley stands for in Scripture. For me, it stands for dealing with idols of the heart. Twice (Hezekiah, Josiah) kings of Israel dumped the paraphernalia of idolatry down into the Kidron and burned it. David crossed the Kidron twice, leaving and returning to Jerusalem, in the time of Absalom’s rebellion. David knew leaving that he was at the root of what was happening, his sins. But when he returned he had a mind of trusting God to reestablish him on the throne (his words concerning Shimei show this; 2 Sam. 16:10-12). And now Jesus crosses the Kidron, where He prays not my will but Thine be done. He returned under arrest, but under full confidence of His Father’s leading. May we learn and live the lesson of the Kidron.
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