Day 9 - June 12

Today, we slept in because we didn't need to get on the bus until 9:00 am. Tamar felt that the later start would allow the other buses to be out of the way.  First, we headed for the new U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem.  We were the only bus to drive by at that time.

Sign directing us to the U.S. Embassy

Nearest we could get to the U.S. Embassy

We headed to the Lion's Gate (or St. Peter's Gate).  This would get us into the Old City once more.  

Lion's Gate

We walked through the Lion's Gate to the Pools of Bethesda.  This where Jesus healed the crippled man.  He told the man to "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.”  Much of Israel reminds of visiting our family in W. Va.  They use cisterns to catch water.  That is how they filled the Pool of Bethesda then.  Today they are dry.

 Pool of Bethesda

We then headed to St. Anne's Church.  This church has amazing acoustics.  We were allowed to take a turn at singing in the middle of the church with the good acoustics.  It sounded heavenly.

Next, we headed to the Via Dolorosa.  Before we started to follow the path of Christ to His crucifixion, we paused for a devotion and an opportunity to reflect on what He had endured as He was lead to His death. As it says in Isaiah 53:7, "he was led like a lamb to the slaughter."  In a garden area Laurie and I read Mark's account of the trial, flogging and crucifixion of Jesus.  I sang "Give Me Jesus".  The song was made popular by Ernie Haase and Signature Sound.  You can follow the following link to hear their version:  Give Me Jesus.  Below are the Via Dolorosa or the path that Jesus followed on his way to the cross.

Then we walked to two churches that commemorate Jesus flogging and where Jesus took up His cross and started walking.  Today was a tour day so the Via Dolorosa was very busy.  

All three pictures are the Via Dolorosa

When we reached the end, there was the Church of Holy Sepulchre.  This church building was built by the Crusaders.  The church is said to be the place where Jesus was crucified.  It also has a room that houses the tomb where they laid Jesus body.  Just like much of what we saw in Israel, it is thought to be the right place.  

Place of the crucifixion inside the church

Place of the empty tomb inside the church

Another proposed place of the crucifixion

Old photo of the same site

Another proposed Garden Tomb.

Pastor Larry gave a devotion relating to communion from 1 Corinthians 11.  It was very moving and thought provoking.  He had two from the Muncie church serve communion.  It was a great day.

Later that evening we had to say goodbye to 22 of our group.  There were 9 of us that were staying an additional 3 days.