Thursday, September 19, 2013

My Pilgrimage to Israel (2013) - Part Eight

The Western or Wailing Wall - note the prayers written on paper that are
placed in the cracks in the wall (click to enlarge)





Our time on the Mount of Olives was followed by our initial entry into ancient Jerusalem and to Mount Moriah.  The Israelites considered Jerusalem the center of the world and the temple of God, erected by King Solomon, was contained within its walls.  In fact, the entire ancient city is contained within walls which currently stand perhaps seventy-five feet high.  Within the ancient holy temple was the Holy of Holies where the Arc of the Covenant (which contained the Ten Commandments) were once stored.  The Temple Mount is Mount Moriah where God gathered dust to create Adam and Abraham took his son Isaac as a sacrifice to God (see Part Seven).  God rested here when his presence filled the holy temple (Isaiah 8:18).

The Dome on the Rock




The location of the temple is now contained within the Muslim quarter and is known as the Dome on the Rock.  Only Muslim are able to worship in that location.  But, the original temple foundation still remains around the Temple Mount and those in the Jewish faith worship where these remnants of Solomon's temple remain.  The famously revered Western or Wailing Wall is the closest to the location of the Holy of Holies that they can worship.

Within the walls of the ancient city, Jesus was tried and beaten.  He then dragged his cross through the city streets as a form of humiliation.   We walked along this pathway (the Via Dolorosa or Way of Suffering) through the markets that probably aren't much different than when he suffered here.

While walking along the Via Dolorosa, we stopped in Bethesda.  In this location, described in the Gospel of John, Jesus healed a man that was unable to walk.  Outside of John's description, the pool was not know to exist until it was excavated in the 19th century.  The pool is just as described in the bible.

Saint Anne's in Bethesda (note the Mourning Dove on the cross!)

Street along the Via Dolorosa



Adjacent to Bethesda is Saint Anne's Church which is near the location of where Jesus was beaten prior to being crucified.  Our group assembled inside to sing a hymn that was interrupted by the shadow of a Mourning Dove's wings flapping above the alter as the bird attempted to land on a light. 

The shadow, appearing not unlike that of an angel's wing, was cast across the entire 25 foot wall above the alter while flapping...then, as we continued singing, the dove flew just over our head's in an arc returning to the alter where it landed on the cross.  Because of the important role that doves play in the bible, I knew this was intentional and was put into play by God for our small congregation.  I think of instances where God used doves in the bible like when the Holy Spirit descended from heaven "like a dove" when Jesus was baptized or the dove that landed on the ark after the great flood.  I'm not entirely sure of the meaning with "our dove".  But, I believe that it was a sign that we could find rest in Christ.  This was a beautiful way to begin our walk along the Via Dolorosa that leads to where he was crucified.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Russian Orthodox Pilgrims at Anointing
Stone - Church of the Holy Sepulchre




Along the Way of Suffering, we would hear stories about the day that God gave his only son...for He so loved the world.  In a strange mix of somberness and gratitude, we walked along the road and heard various stories that occurred at each of the Stations of the Cross.  Finally, we wound our way outside of the original city walls to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.  Within the area now enclosed by the walls of this building, Jesus was crucified, entombed and resurrected.  This site is considered by many as the most important pilgrimage destination for Christians since it was built in the 4th century. 

In the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, you can kneel to touch the rock on which Jesus' cross was raised.  This is the location that he gave up his spirit.  The idea that one is standing on this rock is overwhelming for any follower of Christ.  But, because of the pace of our trip, I felt somewhat rushed and unable to fully absorb the magnitude of where I was.  Fortunately, the following day, I was able to return to this 1600 year old building to worship.  It was a quiet morning and I was able to spend a lot of time alone with God on Calvary.  I read John's gospel account of that day as I prayed silently...occasionally kneeling to touch the rock.  

"But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, “Why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing..." John 20.


Pilgrims from our group waiting to touch the rock of Calvary - Church of the Holy Sepulchre


No comments:

Post a Comment