Day 9 Jerusalem Wed 11/20/2019

MT OF OLIVES / PALM SUNDAY PATH / GETHSEMANE / TEMPLE MOUNT / CITY OF DAVID

Drive to the Mt. of Olives (Lk.22:39) which overlooks the Kidron Valley (Jn.18:1) and to the Temple Mount (Is.8:18). We will literally walk where Jesus walked through parts of the Old City. We will go down the Palm Sunday Path (Lk.19:36-40) to the Tear Drop Church, to Gethsemane (Mt.26:36-38; Mk.14:32-34), a private garden for meditation and on to the House of Caiaphas (Mt.26:57) & Mt. Zion. Continue to the City of David the birthplace of the city of Jerusalem, the place where King David established his kingdom, and where the history of the People of Israel was written

(1 Chron.15:3). After an inspiring day, there may be time to shop and then return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

On the way to the city our devotion began from Ps. 22. A prophetic psalm about a suffering Messiah - which sounds like an oxymoron. Meshiah means "He who saves" and suffering isn't usually associated with being saved. We also read from Mark 10:32 "on their way up to Jerusalem with Jesus leading the way..." We will actually see why the Bible says, "on their way up".

On our way up to Jerusalem I saw evidence of Jerusalem's light rail.

We traveled around and about and came over the ridge to look down over the Kidron Valley to the Old City of Jerusalem. We drove through the Mount of Olives to arrive at the overlook.

The Mount of Olives is opposite the Old City of Jeresalem across the Kidron Valley in between.

Here's the location of the Mount of Olives opposite the Old City of Jerusalem and the Kidron Valley in between.

I took two pictures and tried to simulate a panoramic view of the overlook.

Amir describing the the places we will visit today.
I do have maps, because these pictures aren't defined enough to point them out here.

Amir talked about the Triumphal Entry and the path Jesus took as he arrived from the west (Jericho).
He also mentioned something very interesting about the cursed fig tree (see Mark 11 and/or Matthew 21)
It makes more sense if you read Amos 8:1. Take a look and ask the Spirit to give you the application of this scripture reference.

One other item Amir mentioned that I thought was impactful was the meaning of "Ho-Scha-na" is "save us" and the meaning of "Meh-schi-ah" is "One who saves". As the people shouted their praises they were ushering in the One who will save them from Roman occupation.
Little did they know it wouldn't end the way they'd hope.

Next Stop: Gethsemane

Included in the Mount of Olives is a garden called Gethsemane

Gethsemane or "Goet-Schuan" means oil press.

Read Psalm 128 for more on the Olive branches or "shoots" as you can see in this picture.

This was a very agonizing time for Jesus.

Pastor Reiner read from Matthew 26:36-46 and then gave us some time to pray to GOD on our own in our own quiet way.

Before leaving the Garden of Gethsemane we paused for a group photo.
Left to right: Dan, Derek, Kathreen, Nancy, Rick, Cheryl, Curt, Sarah, Jan, Marilyn, Mary Lynn, Shelly, Mary, Terry, Joyce, Debbie, Gary, Pastor Reiner, Jane, Carol, Kent, Janelle.

Next stop: The stairwell leading up to the South Gate

On our way we pass...

The Golden Gate - this is the Gate the Messiah will enter on His second coming.

Map please:

One our journey from the Mount of Olives overlooking Old Jerusalem to Gethsemane and now going south around the walls we pass the Golden Gate.

Then we enter through the Dung Gate to get to the South Wall stairways.

The Dung Gate which leads you to the Armenian Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem.

 Map please:

Before we arrive at the South Wall Steps Amir gives us a layout of the Temple Mount.

Amir explains more about the layout of the Temple Mount and Pastor Reiner gives a personal testimony about this particular area - this is definitely a place where Jesus entered the Temple as was his practice while in Jerusalem. Even as a boy, Jesus went to the Temple each year. (see Luke 2:41-52 which Pastor read while we sat on the steps).

Before we leave this area we pause to watch a 3D movie about
the history of the Ancient City of David.

Everyone get your glasses on!

Next Stop: Canaanite tunnel (is the dry tunnel)

Note: Hezekiah tunnel is a wet tunnel

An Isral map of the Old City of David

We will be taking the Canaanite Tunnel which is the dry tunnel.
We will pass Warren's Shaft where they pulled out the water.

On our way!
Watch your step!

Amazing accomplishment - all underground through solid rock.

Warren's Shaft

Working our way down the Canaanite Tunnel...

...which leads to...

Next Stop: Shiloah Pool

The Shiloah Pool is twice as large, but Arabs own the land and the Jews would not invade their right to property.
Pastor Reiner read the miracle story of the blind man who had to wash here in John 9:1-12.

Map please:

There were only two recorded miracles that happened in Jerusalem and both involved water.
One happened here in the sourth section. The other happened in the far north sectioin found in
John 5:1-18 the lame was healed at the pool of Bethesda.
Both are tied to the blind and the lame.
Both are mentioned in 2 Samuel 5:6 when David came to the Jebusites to overthrough Jerusalem. Read this passage and ask the Holy Spirit to give you insight into how these are connected.

Next stop: Lunch near the Zion Gate

On the way to Zion Gate I took this picture to show how the Kidron Valley continues south and east. 

Lunch near the Zion Gate.
These are Jerusalem bagels with hyssop spice to use as a dip.

Behind Amir and our group is the Zion Gate.

 Map please:

Last stop on our journey before heading back to our hotel.

Next stop: Last Supper

We walk the rest of the way...

Walking to the area of the Last supper I stoped to take a picture of the Mount of Olives where we started the day.

This isn't the exact location of the last supper but it was most likely in this area.

Next stop: Caiaphas Office

While Jesus was being questioned inside, Peter was denying outside.

The door shows Jesus holding up three fingers (you will deny me three times).
It shows Peter saying, "Maybe all will fall away, but not me."
There is also a cock that will crow after three denials.

 An interesting observation about the cock that crows is this:
This was Peter's wake up call.

Now down to the pits where Jesus was held during his trial breaks.

Pastor prepares to read Psalm 88

Video of Pastor Reiner preparing to read scripture.

Read Ps. 88 for a whole new perspective.

Length: 00:00:28 sec.

The ropes hold up the prisoners hands.

Suffering Messiah
Scripture references are Isaiah 53:12 and Philippians 2:9