Our last day together in the Holy Land centered on the days immediately preceding Jesus' death. We walked from the Mount of Olives to the streets of Jerusalem, visiting churches that memorialized various poignant events during Holy Week and Christ's journey from the cross to the grave, from the grave to His Heavenly home.
- Mount of Olives
- Our day started here as we remembered this place where Jesus comes with his disciples 4 days before Passover.
- Dominus Flevit
- This small chapel, shaped like a teardrop, overlooks the city of Jerusalem and is thought to be the place that "Jesus wept". We considered the Triumphal Entry (or perhaps better named, the Sacrificial Entry) as we looked down toward the city gate in which Jesus entered to the shouts of his followers.
- The Church of All Saints at Gethsemane
- This church is another masterpiece of architecture, overlooking the city of Jerusalem. It was crowded with people so we found our way to a beautiful garden and each found a quiet place to reflect on the passages of scripture that describe Christ's agony as he prays for release for what is to come.
- Bethesda and St. Anne's Church
- After quite a climb back into the Old City, we entered the Lions Gate where we settled by the Pool of Bethesda and visited St. Anne's church. (Anne is considered the mother of the Virgin Mary.) In St. Anne's church, led by our resident choir director, Marlene, we sang "Holy, Holy, Holy". This church,with remarkable acoustics, was an emotional experience for every one of us. I suspect we will never sing that song again without remembering singing it here.
- Via Dolorosa
- Our pilgrim journey found us traveling the Via Dolorsa visiting the stations of the cross which ended at the Church of the Sepulchre. We were warned that this is one of the most visited locations in the city of Jerusalem and it was true--the site was teaming with people. However, we found our way into a small chamber toward the back of the church, where we learned about the burial practices in Jesus' day and could enter a narrow tomb in the back of this room in small groups. In this place, we sang together and recited the Apostle's Creed.
- The Garden Tomb
- After a brief stop at the hotel for a short "recess", we boarded the bus to make one last pilgrimage visit: The Garden Tomb. After a wonderful tour by a former pastor from Canada who made no apologies for his distinctively Christian message, we gathered in a quiet area for our last teaching lesson and communion. We were reminded of each of the places we have walked in the last 10 days and the significance of each. We were challenged to carry the message of Jesus out into the world and into our every day lives. Following this final lesson, Bill and Lyn celebrated the communion meal with each "family unit" while we sang together ending with our pilgrim anthem, "We Are People on a Journey". This was indeed a holy experience for each of us in this place.
- The Tent
- Before what we know will be a short night of sleep, we enjoyed one last remarkable Palestinian meal in a tent. Yes, that's right, we ate an amazingly authentic meal in a tent restaurant in Bethlehem. We used this time to thank our guide, Kahlil and driver, Na'el, who each of us consider "family" after these days spent together. We also honored the tireless efforts of Bill and Lyn who brought us together, encouraged us, loved us, laughed with us, shared our "wonderings" and brought each of us closer to Jesus through this pilgrimage. We will be ever-grateful to them for this life changing experience.
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