Today was a busy day. We walked 19,386 steps this day. Our word for the day was pure. There are three contributors to today’s post. All of their writings will be in blue. Thank you Bro Sheeley, Marcia and Mark for your input.
We were on top of things this day. We ascended the most Holy site known to the Jewish people. The Temple Mount. Much blood has been shed there. Abraham offered a ram in the place of Isaac and during the time of Solomon’s and Herod’s temples, the blood of many animals were offered there for the sin of man. We also walked atop a hill called “Ammunition Hill” that was the site of one of the bloodiest battles of the Six-day War in June 1967. The blood shed by animals on the Temple Mount was strictly symbolical. The blood shed on Ammunition Hill was honorable, but the blood shed by our Lord Jesus Christ was pure. Pure was our word for the day. In the tunnel along the base of the Temple Mount we encountered many young people that were walking in the opposite direction. In the trenches of Ammunition Hill, we came under “friendly fire” from our rock throwing guide. Both of these places were “high and lifted up” and had a network of tunnels and/or trenches. He who is “high and lifted up” robed himself in flesh and came to the trenches of the world to seek and to save those of us who were lost. – Bro Sheeley
Temple Mount
Ammunition Hill
We covered many different spots on this day – including one of my favorites, “The Southern Steps”. Knowing I was walking where my Jesus entered the Temple with all the other common folks wass humbling to me. Our pure and wonderful Saviour drove out the vendors and money exchangers who were exploiting the people here. I felt a sense of closeness with Jesus while sitting on some of the original steps there. We also visited the Pool of Bethesda where Jesus healed a man who needed healing but had no one to put him in the pool at the right time. The “Healer” himself showed up and healed him! Another spot was Stephen’s Gate where Stephen was stoned to death because of his faith in Jesus Christ. Oh, to have such a strong faith to preach Jesus til the end. What an example for us! We also visited St. Ann’s Church, which was built to honor the Virgin Mary’s mother. The reason this was special was that we went inside, stood together in a circle, and sang “How Great Thou Art”! It was the sweetest sound hearing everyone sing together and honor our Lord and Saviour in this church building. It was also neat because there were other people coming inside and joining in while we sang. It just goes to show you that Jesus can be worshiped anywhere and anytime. This trip was amazing! I had been two times before, but being there with a group of people I know and love made it extra special. Coming to Israel, and more specific, “Jerusalem”, felt like coming home again! – Marcia
Pool of Bethesda
Southern Steps
St. Ann’s Church
Southside steps of the temple. It humbled me standing there thinking of the King of Kings entering the temple on the side that the ordinary “lower class” individuals would enter the temple. Who am I to ever be prideful about ANYTHING and how do I approach those who enter our current place of worship?? Do I welcome EVERYONE? Mark
Broken But Anchored 