Day 8 - The Morning...

I have finally taken the time to complete Day 8!! I know, it's taken forever, but there were a lot of amazing sites seen on this day!! I wanted to devote enough time to each site so I could share several pictures and talk more about each one. Hope you enjoy the long awaited morning part of Day 8. It was a long day and all on foot! We unloaded the bus first thing in the morning and didn't get back on until 5:00! Our first stop of the day was the Western Wall!! I was super excited about this stop! The security is very tight at the entrances. There are separate entrances for men and women and you are required to walk through metal detectors. I also found it interesting that the chief rabbis of Israel have ruled that walking through the metal detector system does not violate Shabbat or festivals. The right side of this tells about the Western Wall. I don't know if you'll be able to see it so I will type some of it out here. Jewish tradition teaches that the Temple Mount is the focal point of creation. In the center of the mountain lies the "Foundation Stone" of the world. Here Adam came into being. Here Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob served God. The First and Second Temples were built upon this mountain. The Ark of the Covenant was set upon the Foundation Stone itself... The present Western Wall before you is a remnant of the western Temple Mount retaining walls. Jews have prayed in its shadow for hundreds of years, an expression of their faith in the rebuilding of the Temple. The Sages said about it, "The Divine Presence never leaves from the Western Wall." The Temple Mount continues to be the focus of prayer for Jews all over the world. The men and women had different sides divided by this small fence. This is me and Lauren in front of the Western Wall, otherwise known as the Wailing Wall. I was really excited about the opportunity to visit here and even inserted a prayer on a small piece of paper into the wall. This was another powerful experience for me. One that just led into one powerful site after another! I love the signs that have the Hebrew language on them too so that's why this is posted. The following pictures are some of the excavations. it was pretty cool to see the work in progress! We got to visit the Southern Wall Excavations of the ancient Temple including the Teaching Steps! Just another of the better pictures of the excavation site. Our next journey was walking the Cardo which is the ancient main street of the Old City once lined with shops, now partially restored. This is just a scenic shot I took on the walk. I really enjoyed these walks because I was able to see a whole view of Jerusalem around me instead of being limited to looking out the bus window. On our walk we saw the Temple Mount, called Mount Moriah in the Bible (2 Chronicles 3:1), which was the site of the temples of Solomon, Zerubbabel, and Herod. It is also a holy place to Moslems, who bellieve that Mohammed went to heaven from this spot. The Dome of the Rock was built between 687 and 691 A.D. and is decorated with beautiful Persian tiles. To Moslems the world over, it is next to Mecca and Medina in importance. This is St. Anne's Basilica. St. Anne is Mary's mother. It is known for its lines and its special echo. Many come to sing here. This church is built over the caves where the memory of the Virgin Mary's birthplace was kept. The Gospel site of Bethesda invites us to take time for meditation and prayer. Everyone is confronted by Jesus' question: "Do you want to be well?" To all who exeprience illness, weariness, fears, or remorse, He still says, "Stand up, take your mat and walk!" This plaques says, "Jesus healed the sick man near these medicinal baths. John 5 says, "And Jesus said to the man who had been ill for thirty-eight years, 'Rise, take your pallet, and walk.'" Here we find Jesus as the true Physician. Since He has come for the sick and sinners, He asks us to draw close to our true Father and experience new wholeness and peace, our restored dignity as children of God. A plaque on the wall says this is the Southern Pool.

In full confidence we may bring our sicknesses to Him who says, "Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden..." Matthew 11:28 Then we will experience that He "gives us rest" by healing our bodies and/or giving us inner consolation and peace.

Day 8, mid day - The Via Dolorosa

The following pictures are all from the middle of day eight in Jerusalem. They start at Herod's Antonia Fortress which includes the chapel of flagellation and the chapel of condemnation. From there I start the journey of the Via Dolorosa. This day was definitely a very powerful day! And I haven't even finished telling you about it! Next post will be sites from the morning which will include the Wailing Wall, Southern Wall Excavations, walking the Cardo, visiting the Pool of Bethesda, and the Church of St. Anne. Get excited!! Day 8 was definitely one of my favorite days!! :o)

This is the ceiling inside of Herod's Antonia Fortress where Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate.

If I remember correctly, this courtyard was actually where some of the Passion of the Christ was filmed. This is where Jesus was scourged, half beaten to death. He was not suffering as a sinner like us, who deserve to suffer. Only love drove Him to go through such agony- an act that goes beyond all human understanding. Today Jesus' offer of grace is still available for each one of us. He makes all things new. "With His stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53:5 The Savior, scourged for our sake, covered with wounds, promises us: In My wounds, there is power to heal all who are enslaved by the desires of the flesh. If you call upon My name, I will set you free.

This is the Chapel of Condemnation which also commemorates the laying on of the cross. "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." Matthew 16:24

The scripture referenced in this picture is: "Pilate saw that he wasn't getting anywhere and that a riot was developing. So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd saying, 'I am innocent of the blood of this man. The responsibility is yours!' So Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned Him over to the Roman soldiers to crucify Him." Matthew 27:24, 26

This is the map of the Via Dolorosa which also lists the stations of the cross. Via Dolorosa means way of sorrow or way of the cross. It is the traditional pathway Jesus took from the hall of judgement to Calvary. On this street I could see Jesus going before me on His way to Calvary. Silently, patiently, He bore the cross staggering beneath its heavy weight as He passed through the noisy, crowded, narrow streets of Jerusalem. Not a single complaint or cry, no sigh or word of rebellion against God falls from His lips- no disapproval to those who abandoned Him or to those who mocked Him as they followed Him, although He had shown them nothing but goodness.

This is the street view as we walked the Via Dolorosa. "And He bearing His cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha." John 19:17

This is the tunnel that leads down to Lithostrotos, the site of the crowning with thorns and the mocking of Christ. Jesus, the Son of God, reduced to the image of scorn and shame, looks at us entreatingly and asks us, "Who will stand here beside Me and choose My path? Who will respond with forgiving love when they are hurt and treated poorly? They will be blessed as My true disciple."

Here is Lauren walking the very pathway Jesus walked. This is believed to be the very ground He walked. I didn't get a picture of myself walking it because it was such a sobering event for me. I will find Him as King and Lord when I set my foot on His pathway. He will reveal Himself to me when I have the courage to walk a path of humiliation, to suffer insults and injustice and nevertheless continue to love. In doing so, I will take my place at Jesus' side and experience His presence. "Love endures all things." 1Corinthians 13:7

This was one of the wall mosaics that I just thought was beautiful. At the bottom of it you can see the very pathway Jesus was supposed to have walked along.

One of the sites along the way of Lithostrotos.

This is said to be a place where Jesus placed his hand to catch Himself as He fell. There was a slight almost hand print indentation in the wall. It was pretty powerful to think that I was placing my hand in the very spot Jesus had placed His. Especially to think about the fact that He was on His way to be crucified, carrying a cross to be nailed to, all to forgive me for my sins and offer me life more abundantly.

One of the stations along the way. Hard to remember when, but maybe this is located by one where Jesus fell for the second time?

The eighth station is where Jesus speaks to the women of Jerusalem.

After station 9 all of the other stations happen within the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where Jesus was believed to have been crucified and died on the cross and where He was laid in a tomb and then resurrected. Those pictures I posted yesterday.

I am still constantly reminded of this trip through this Lenten season and study I'm doing through my church. Today, Tommy's message was on truth. He mentioned the Via Dolorosa and even suggested we walk the prayer trail some time in the coming weeks. I think that is something I need to do as well as walk the Labyrinth again. It's been too long since I experienced those methods of prayer. I am constantly reminded of the deep love that Christ had for us all through this study and looking at all the steps leading up to His death. This coming week we will be looking at Jesus, Barrabas, and Pilate. Can't wait to see what great discussion comes from this chapter of the book and the questions that go along with it!

Day 8- Church of the Holy Sepulchre...

So day 8 was LOADED full of sites to see and lots of pictures that I'd like to share. In an effort to share a lot of the pictures without getting overly frustrated with the process of loading them on this blog I will only be posting pictures and descriptions of the last stop of the day right now. I will return later with more of day 8.


The Via Dolorosa ended here at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It is a beautiful building. Here stood a cross, upon which the Son of God hung in excruciating pain, tortured to death for us and our sins. Jesus, eternal Love, was killed by hatred. Yet even in the hour of death He responded to the malice of His enemies with the prayer, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." Luke 23:34. Up to the moment of death love prevailed, thus defeating hell and Satan.
"They took Jesus to the place called the place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew Golgotha. There they crucified him." John 19:17-18a.

Unfortunately, I do not remember the importance of this picture. I will need to ask someone. I'm thinking it's possibly the place where I got to reach through and touch the mountain that split when Jesus was crucified, which was pretty stinking cool!

The walls and ceilings were very decorated as well as having those golden hanging things everywhere too.

The ceiling over the building with the tomb site.

This is the building within a building built over the supposed tomb of Jesus. Personally, I prefer the Garden Tomb site. That is part of day 9 so I will share more on that one then.

This was the inside of the tomb of Christ. I got to touch the stone Jesus was supposedly laid on. Here we find Jesus as the One whom the grave could not hold and who was stronger than hell and death. Jesus emerged from the gloomy grave as the Prince of Victory. The Crucified Lord is now the Risen Lord. The enemy Satan is vanquished. And from now on, in spite of the raging of the powers of darkness and all the Enemy's attacks, Jesus goes forth from victory to victory.

These were a gift fom our tour guide, Aram. It's a box of selected dates. Kind of reminds me of a box of the chocolate mint candies my mom used to buy when I was young. Except it's not chocolate or minty. I don't think I actually ate them.

7th day continued...

From the top of the Mount of Olives we could see a view of the "Golden City" of Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock.













Some of the sites as we journeyed the Mount of Olives.

The people we met along the way were always willing to take a picture with you for a shekel or two.

This plaque says, "Could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. Matthew 16:40-41

With His prayer "Yes, Father" and the total surrender of His will, JESUS triumphed in the darkest night of temptation and suffering.
Thus He showed us that by consenting to the will of God and committing ourselves to it, we too shall be led out of the darkness into the light of victory.

The second half is the same thing in another language.








This is the entrance to the Garden of Gethsemane and followed by a picture of the actual garden of Olive trees where Jesus prayed so long ago before He was arrested.

This is the front of the Basilica of Agony, also known as the Church of All Nations. The next picture is of the HUGE front doors.

The church has a starry ceiling and reminds you of night time. It is fairly dark inside.

The ceilings were almost always beautiful to look at in every place we visited.














This is where the huge rock, the Rock of the Agony, lies before the altar of this church. This is where Jesus prayed that night.

"My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." Matthew 26:39

You can kneel before this rock and pray as well. I can't remember what I prayed so long ago, but I would definitely pray as Jesus did, "My Father, not my will, but thine, be done." These words contain power to overcome in temptation and suffering.

O Jesus, in deepest night and agony You spoke these words of trust and surrender to God the father in Gethsemane. In love and gratitude I want to say in times of fear and distress, 'My Father, I do not understand You, but I trust You.'


These are the last pictures I took that day, but not the last of the sites visited. This day we also visited the site where Mary was believed to have died. After that we visited the House of the High Priest Caiaphas where Jesus was imprisoned for a night. We had a devotion in the cell Jesus was believed to have been kept. This was a powerful experience for me. Wow. To imagine sitting in the same cell my Savior Jesus had been locked in shortly before He was to be sentenced to death for my sins. I also walked the same steps Jesus walked when He had been arrested. These steps are said to be the most authentic thing there. That too was very moving for me.

We enjoyed some Domino's pizza for lunch before heading on to visit the Upper Room. The Upper Room is revered as the place of the Last Supper. How loving our Jesus is to sit side by side with the man that was to betray Him and enjoy His last supper with. How forgiving He is to continue loving all of them, washing their feet and serving them when by the end of the night he would be deserted by them all. That's my Jesus. Always demonstrating a crazy love that I can't even begin to comprehend.

We also saw the site of King David's Tomb. King David's story offers hope to us all. He was called a man after God's own heart, yet He was far from perfect. He even went so far as to have a good man murdered to cover up his indiscretions. But through it all, he sought after God through the highs and the lows.

Our last visit of the day was a pretty cool visit because we actually went to visit our tour guide, Aram's house. We got to meet his family and the Bedevians got to visit with distant relatives. Aram even showed us where Michael Bedevian's grandparents had lived.

That concludes day 7. Wish I had pictures to go with all of these sites, but I can still picture some of them in my head clearly due to the meaningfulness of it all.