LaFaye Hurst – Today was a later start. We had a relaxed breakfast and boarded the bus at 9:00. Our bus driver is never late and maneuvers through these narrow Jerusalem streets like a pro! He lives in Jerusalem so he is very skilled.
Our first stop was at the Israel government building. It would be similar to an American Congress. Israel has a Prime Minister which would be like our president. We spent time touring the grounds and hearing about the Israeli government and past history.
Then it was just a short jog across the street to the Israel Musuem where there are many artifacts. We spent the majority of our time in the Israelite period of time, looking for the artifacts of the places we had visited on this trip. We also spent time at the section on the Dead Sea Scrolls. Then we stepped outside to the large, but very detailed model of Jerusalem. Our guide walked us around the model and pointed out points of interest.
Lunch was in a restaurant with a birds-eye view over Jerusalem. We had kabobs and fries, a very traditional Israeli dish.
After lunch we sat at an overlook for a time of teaching on God’s love for Jerusalem and we had a special prayer for the people of Jerusalem. I can just picture Jesus overlooking the city and His heart aching for the people to turn to Him. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Matt 23:37
Next it was a walk down a steep hill called the Palm Sunday Path. It was a narrow road lined with high walls dripping with beautiful bougainvillea. We tried to envision Jesus traveling down this road riding on a donkey with palm branches strewn along the way.
Almost at the bottom of the hill we stopped at the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of all Nations. Here we sat down for a time of teaching on the suffering of Jesus. After a time for pictures we crossed the street to a private garden where we had a worship service led by Andrew and a time of singing, reflecting on Jesus’s suffering in the garden. I was challenged by the thought of Jesus’s disciples not being able to stay awake and stand by Him in His time of agony of soul. May we stand with our brothers and sisters going through difficult times and not turn away from their pain and suffering.
Then it was back to the hotel for a time of resting and supper. After supper we set out for an adventure by tram to Ben Yehuda Street. It was sundown, just as Sabbath was ending and the Jewish people were out to socialize. Families, groups of teenagers, the elderly, all out strolling, playing games or just standing around chatting. It was a great place for people watching!