Day 6 – Old City and the Way of Suffering
Today we started off in the streets of the Old City where about 30,000 people lived. Long story short it was very crowded and a bit hectic. People crowded the streets and it got very cramped. It got even worse when cars would come up and push everyone to the sides. The Old City is split into four quarters: the Christian, the Jewish, Muslim, and Armenian.
First we went to Lithostrotos, where Jesus was beaten and mocked by the guards. We saw a figure that was carved in the floor, which was supposed to be a game that the guards played with while they were mocking Jesus. Saint Anne’s church had beautiful acoustics so we sang and listened as our voices echoed through the church. It was something like no other. This church just had some of the best acoustics I’ve ever heard. People from all around the world were here to sing and to hear their voices go through the church. Definitely one of my favorite places!
Next we went to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a beautiful (and I know I’ve said that word a lot) church built by the Byzantines and finished by the Crusaders. It was built on and around the old rock quarry, Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified, near where he was buried and where the angels met the women to say that Jesus is risen! One thing that i found interesting was that there were crosses etched all over the walls over the church by pilgrims over the years. We saw the outside of the tomb which was cool but it was even cooler to know that he is not there and he is risen indeed.
After being able to see the church and the things inside of it, my faith continued to grow. There was no doubt inside of me that our God is good, that Jesus is our messiah and savior and “he saved a wretch like me.”
Later we went to the Mount of Olives where we were able to take a group photo of the great view of Jerusalem and its surroundings. It was yet again another stunning view. But, as we were about to leave I was able to ride a camel for the first time. Which was such an awesome experience! Just like my brother i have ridden a camel before I’ve ridden a horse. Keep in mind that I live in Kentucky! Next we went to Gethsemane which was pretty awesome also! We got to see a church which was very cool, and we also go to see trees that could be up to 2,000 years old.
On our last stop of the day, we went to the Western Wall, or also referred to as the Wailing Wall. This wall was originally part of Herod’s temple dedicated to the Jews. Now it is a place for Jews and other people from all around the world to write your prayers and stick it in side the cracks of the wall. People will stay at the wall for a while to pray and have a sacred place to worship. In addition to the Wailing Wall we got to tour a archeological site of Herod’s Temple, which was fascinating to think that some 2000 years ago this temple was standing and was busy and full of people. In fact, this very place that we were standing on was the very place where Jesus had rebuked the Temple merchants f selling and cheating people for their money. He said, “My temple will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers”-Matthew verse 13.
So much has happened today that it is so hard to remember. That is why I like taking notes, though we moved so fast I could barely process what we just have seen. Today was an amazing day, but quite exhausting.
