Thursday, March 17: Jerusalem

We awoke to the weather having changed its mind. It would provide us with intermittent showers for most of the morning. We also awoke to learn that one of our members had relapsed and would be staying back for the day. The schedule for the day was full of sites and lessons around Jerusalem.

The Temple Mount…the site of the original and rebuilt temples. Currently under Palestinian control, it is considered their third most important place – Mecca, Medina, then the Temple Mount. There is growing tension because a rapidly growing segment of the Jews in Israel want to rebuild the temple on this site, because they believe it is necessary for the messiah to come. Evidence of this tension was graphically demonstrated when a number of Jews walked past a gathering of Arabs who loudly voiced their prayers to Allah in protest of the Jews’ presence. When we see the level of disagreement within Israel being compounded by the conflicts between Israel and the Palestinians, one almost wonders if a peaceful solution can be achieved.

The Temple Mount

Dome of the Rock…the shrine that covers the rock that is thought to be the place from which God began His Creating and also the rock upon which Abraham was being ordered to sacrifice Isaac. The golden dome is visible from a long distance and glimmers when the sun shines.

Dome of the Rock shrine

Western (wailing) wall…this site is of greatest significance for the Jews where they can write notes about needed forgiveness and place them in the wall. Access to the wall is separated by male and female areas. One of our members was engaged by a Rabbi who made a point of saying that they will build the temple soon on the Temple Mount in the face of those who resist.

Western (Wailing) Wall

City of David…the projected site of David’s palace and tower. Underneath the current structure is an active archaeological dig that is revealing more of the palace.

Excavation under David's city

Hezekiah’s tunnel…the challenging experience of the day. This underground tunnel was the city’s source for fresh water. It is 1700 feet long, drops about 200 feet over its length, and is the width of one person…often a short person for height. They took about two years to carve this tunnel out of stone, started from each end and only ended up 3 feet off when they met in the middle. Oh, that some of our current building projects could claim that accuracy. To enter the tunnel, we had to walk through thigh deep water. From then on the running water was just above the ankles. Everyone walked the forty minute distance using flashlights and singing songs to offset any unwanted feelings.

Walking through Hezekiah's Tunnel

Church of St. Peter…a Catholic Church dedicated to Peter’s three denials of Christ and his later restoration. Underneath the church is an excavation that enabled us to experience what the early dungeons were like.

Mount of Olives…the site that started bringing the reality of Passion Week to us. Looking at Jerusalem from the Mount brought home the second time that Jesus wept – for those who would turn against him in the coming week. We began walking down the Mount to Jerusalem. On the way, our rabbi noticed a site that was not often open – the tomb of the prophets. We experienced a large tomb hewn from the rock dating back to 500 BC, projected to have received three minor prophets – Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi – as well as 47 of their followers.  Our guide had previously met the caretaker, who is the family’s third generation in this role. We closed the day with a time of reflection in what the Garden of Gethsemane might have looked like. Experiencing the place where Jesus asked God to relieve Him of the cup he had to drink graphically brought home what a sacrifice He made for us.

The city for which Jesus wept

We had heard earlier in the afternoon that our group member Jim, who remained behind, was not doing well. Upon return to our hotel, our guide arranged that he would be transported to the hospital for evaluation. A short time ago we were informed that he was diagnosed with pneumonia and will at least be spending the night there. We will receive an update in the morning relative to his being able to fly home with us late tomorrow night. We ask everyone to keep Jim, Cheryl, and their family in your prayers for his very rapid recovery.

This will be the final posting for our pilgrimage, at least from within Israel. Our rabbi has given us the final challenge as we look to return home to begin identifying how God now wants to use how He has blessed us. A special opportunity exists for us to immediately begin experiencing Passion Week upon our return at home. We have invited everyone in our group to submit their learnings from this pilgrimage the week after Easter. So, look for a final posting in a few weeks where we can pass on the Light that we have been blessed with.

Note from the Calvin alumni office:  Thank you to Ken Steensma '68 for providing these daily blog posts! It's been a privilege to walk this pilgrimage with you from afar. We are grateful.

Also, for blog readers...Calvin will be partnering with Pastor Vanden Bosch on another Israel trip next March. If you know of people who would be interested in receiving more information about that trip, they can email alumni@calvin.edu and we will send them more information in May or June.