The people of Israel observe the Feast of Weeks, or Shavuot. It has the dual significance of marking the wheat harvest in the land of Israel and commemorating the giving of the Torah on Sinai. The “Weeks” has to do with counting the seven weeks after Passover. It is sometimes described as the eighth day of Passover.
The New Testament refers to Shavuot as Pentecost. It is the fiftieth day after Passover, which makes it 10 days after Jesus’ Ascension.
Acts 2 describes the events of the day of first Pentecost after Jesus’ death and resurrection. They were “all with one accord in one place.” Being a celebration day, that “one place” would likely have been the temple. The expansive steps at the southern entrance were used as a gathering place, and a teaching place. It would make sense that this was the location of Peter’s Pentecostal sermon.
Rabbis would teach their disciples on the steps outside the temple.
The many mikvahs (ritual baths) around the temple could have provided water for baptizing 3,000 new believers.
Inside a mikvah. Steps on one side for entering, before cleansing, and the other side for exiting after being purified in the water.
Just as the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai finalized Israel’s redemption from Egypt, so the giving of the Holy Spirit on Mount Zion inaugurated the New Covenant. The wind and the fire are symbolic of God’s presence, just as the pillar of smoke and the pillar of fire showed God’s presence in the wilderness.
Meditating on the significance of what happened here.
I’m thankful, this Pentecost, for the Comforter, the indwelling presence of God’s Spirit.
Standing barefoot on an original southern step, imagining Jesus walking here.
After the resurrection, Jesus visited with His disciples a number of times. On one of those occasions, they were in Galilee in a mountain that Jesus had appointed for them. That’s a subject for another post. Acts 1:3 says He appeared to them during forty days…speaking about the kingdom of God. On the last day He was with them, Jesus said, “And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
Then He led them out of Jerusalem, as far as Bethany, a village on the Mount of Olives.
Here we’re walking through the Kidron Valley, with Jerusalem in back of us, looking up toward the Mount of Olives.
Jesus told them, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Outside the Eastern Gate, looking toward the Mount of Olives.
And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. Two men in white robes appeared, and told them, “This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
Jesus and His disciples gathered in an upper room for the Passover meal. Jesus told the disciples that one of them would betray Him. He shared bread and wine with them, telling them it was His body and His blood. Did they understand that Jesus would become the Passover Lamb, the sacrifice? He told them He was giving them a kingdom. I wonder what the disciples were thinking, as they crossed over the Kidron Valley and went up on the Mount of Olives.
The Kidron Valley lies between Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives. Here you can see terraces and olive trees.
On the Mount of Olives, in a place called Gethsemane, Jesus spent time praying to His Father. The name “Gethsemane” comes from the Hebrew word for “olive press.” Maybe the place He was accustomed to going to on Olivet was a grove of olive trees, with an olive press.
This is a set of stones from an olive press. After the olives were crushed by the stones, they were placed in bags, and pressed.
Jesus wrestled with accepting the cup that was His to drink. What emotions did He experience, what pressing? It was so much that He sweat drops of blood. How did the angel strengthen Him?
A grove of ancient olive trees on the Mount of Olives
I find it overwhelming, and impossible to really grasp, what all Jesus went through, for me.
Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. This account of our Lord is recorded in all four gospels. Jesus, on the Mount of Olives, gave instructions to two of His disciples to bring a colt for Him to ride. Zechariah prophesied of this in Zechariah 9:9. Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.
From the Mount of Olives, looking over the Jewish cemetery and the Kidron Valley, to Temple Mount, and the Old City.
Jesus’ riding a donkey that day, and not a horse, shows Him as the Prince of Peace. John, in Revelation, depicts Jesus riding on a white horse, as a conquering King. The Palm Sunday road follows closely along the side of the Jewish cemetery on the Mount of Olives. A high wall protects travelers from accidentally becoming unclean by touching the graves. The road is quite steep; wear good shoes.
Walking down the Palm Sunday road, with the Jewish cemetery on the left.
As Jesus rode toward the city, people threw their garments, and palm branches, on the road in front of Him. They shouted, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD!” from Psalm 118.
The traditional site of Jesus weeping over Jerusalem is the Dominus Flevit Church, built in the shape of a tear-drop. Luke, in his detailed, chronological style, gives the account of Jesus drawing near to the City of Jerusalem, and weeping as He saw what would happen to it. Jesus prophesied of a time the city would be surrounded by enemies, and destroyed. The Romans destroyed the city in 70 AD.
It is believed that Jesus entered the city through the Eastern Gate. Other names for this gate are Mercy Gate, and Golden Gate. The current Eastern Gate has been closed for the past 500 years. Since the Jewish belief is that their Messiah will enter the city through the Eastern Gate, Suleiman the Magnificent had it blocked in 1541. The Muslim cemetery outside the gate is to ensure the Messiah will not be clean if he does make it to the gate.
The Eastern Gate, also known as Mercy Gate, and Golden Gate.
Walking down the Palm Sunday road, past the entrance to Dominus Flevit Church, past the Garden of Gethsemane, and toward the city, you can enter through the Lion’s Gate, into the Muslim Quarter of the Old City.
The Lion’s Gate
If you’re interested in learning more about Jerusalem, the land of Israel, and the time Jesus lived there, we invite you to travel with our tour group in November.
While in Jerusalem, we visited the Mehane Yehuda Market, also known as “The Shuk” (rhymes with shoot). There is such a variety of local produce, and loads of other products. The dates were our favorite. We’re hosting a tour to Israel in November. Let us know if you’re interested. 😀
Our Israel study trip, focusing on the life and time of Jesus, is planned for November 5 to 17, 2020. We are taking reservations now. Contact andrew@zacct.com if you’d like to go!
Travel with us through the Land of the Bible, from the Mediterranean coast to the Negev desert, from the Judean wilderness to the Sea of Galilee. We will visit the lowest spot on earth, the Dead Sea, and the most-contested site, Temple Mount in Jerusalem. The itinerary, God willing, will look something like this:
Thu, Nov 5 (Day 1) We meet at Newark International Airport. The most important thing to bring along is your passport.
Fri, Nov 6 (Day 2) Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport. Time permitting, we visit Elah Valley and other historic sites. Our bus takes us to our hotel at the Dead Sea. We enjoy a buffet meal and learn to know some of our fellow travelers. Then it’s time to rest from the trip.
Sat, Nov 7 (Day 3) Visiting Old Testament sites in the Negev, we consider God’s covenants with Abraham and the people of Israel. Tel Be’er Sheva, Ein Advat (Wadi Zin), Tel Arad, and Fountain of Tears are on the agenda. We’ll do some hiking in the desert. A stream in the desert and water from the cliff face remind us of God’s provisions for His people. Then it’s back to our hotel for dinner and rest. Maybe a float in the Dead Sea.
Sun, Nov 8 (Day 4) Today we see Masada, Herod the Great’s magnificent fortress palace in the Judean wilderness, and site of the Zealots’ last stand in 73 AD. The oasis of Ein Gedi, spring of the goats, was a hiding place for David. The goats and the spring are still there today. We think of God’s covenant with David. The covenants find their fulfillment in Jesus. Beit She’an is a study in contrasts. We travel north towards the Galilee for our hotel and dinner.
Mon, Nov 9 (Day 5)Nazareth Village is reconstructed to what Jesus’ home town may have looked like. We visit Mount Arbel, with its magnificent view of the lake. Then on to Capernaum, thinking of the time of Jesus, and the dawn of the New Covenant.
Tue, Nov 10 (Day 6) A visit to Galilee isn’t complete without a boat ride on the Sea. Back on land, we visit Magdala, with a synagogue from Jesus’ time. Bethsaida, and the Jordan River. Then dinner, and an evening shopping on the Tiberias boardwalk.
Wed, Nov 11 (Day 7) We travel north of Galilee, to the site of ancient Dan. We see Caesarea Philippi, and the “gates of hell.” A Druze village would be a great place for lunch. Perhaps we’ll visit a few other northern sites, such as Golan Heights and Katzrin, if we have time. Then it’s back to our hotel by Galilee for dinner and rest.
Thu, Nov 12 (Day 8) Leaving Galilee, we’re now going “up to Jerusalem.” Today’s sites may include Megiddo, an ancient strategic city, Mount Carmel, where Elijah faced the hundreds of prophets of Baal, and Caesarea Maritima, on the Mediterranean coast. In Jerusalem, maybe we’ll have some shopping time in the Mahane Yehuda Market.
Fri, Nov 13 (Day 9) We’ll want to visit some Old City locations today. The Hurva Synagogue with its wrap-around walkway gives a panoramic view of the sights. We must visit the Old City markets and the Western Wall. Perhaps we’ll get to the Eastern Gate, blocked shut for the last five centuries to prevent the Messiah’s entering Jerusalem. Then we enjoy a Shabbat meal hosted by an Orthodox couple.
Sat, Nov 14 (Day 10) The Israel Museum has a miniature Old City model. The Shrine of the Book commemorates the finding of the Dead Sea scrolls. We visit the Mount of Olives and admire the view of the City. We think of Jesus standing here and weeping over Jerusalem. We follow the Palm Sunday road. We visit a garden with ancient olive trees and consider Jesus and His Gethsemane. The Garden Tomb, and the place of the skull, are just outside the Old City. We see the markets come back to life after sundown, when Sabbath ends.
Sun, Nov 15 (Day 11) On Temple Mount, we mingle with the Muslims, and perhaps the Temple Faithful Jews. Any non-Muslim worship and prayer is forbidden here. This is Mount Moriah, the threshing floor purchased by David. It is the site of Solomon’s Temple, and of the second temple. We visit the City of David, and walk through Hezekiah’s Tunnel. We see the site of the Siloam Pool, and the Pilgrimage road that took many an eager traveler up to the Temple. Back at Temple Mount, in the Davidson Center, we see the huge stones, thrown from the wall in 70 AD, still lying where they fell. At the southern steps of the temple, we’ll think about the events that took place there.
Mon, Nov 16 (Day 12) Time permitting, we visit more historic locations on our bus ride from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv. Back at Ben Gurion Airport, we’re glad it happened, and maybe sad that it’s over.
Tue, Nov 17 (Day 13) Flying west to Newark, we gain back the seven hours we lost. We say our goodbyes, but we have memories for a lifetime.
Have you been thinking of visiting the land of the Bible?
We have more details on our upcoming Israel study trip. The dates are November 5 to 17, 2020. Flying direct from Newark to Tel Aviv makes the travel time as short as possible. We will have 4-star hotels with buffet breakfast and dinner, our own deluxe motor coach, and a certified tour guide.
We will be focusing on the life and times of Jesus. The itinerary (always subject to change) includes:
One of the gates entering the Jewish Quarter of the Old City is Zion Gate. Just outside Zion Gate is Mount Zion, and King David’s Tomb. The gate has several other names, including King David’s Gate, the Gate of the Jews, and the Wounded Gate. It is pock-marked with hundreds of bullet holes from the Israeli War of Independence in 1948. Israeli forces outside the city were firing on the Jordanian forces that held the gate. While the Israeli forces were able to enter, they were driven back, and the city remained under Jordanian control until 1967. The gate remained closed during that time.
One of the notable features of Zion Gate is the beautiful mosaic design in the pavement just outside the city wall.
The University of North Carolina has an archaeological excavation site just outside from Zion Gate. In 2019 they discovered a layer dating to the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem in 586 BC.
The Old City has eight open gates, if you count the small Tanner’s Gate. Jaffa Gate is a main entrance to the City from the west. It enters at the juncture of the Armenian and Christian Quarters.
Jaffa Gate is named for Jaffa Road, a primary route from Jaffa Port, also known as Joppa. If that name sounds familiar, you’ve heard of it in the story of Jonah, and also the account of Peter’s vision. The harbor of Jaffa is one of the oldest harbors in the world.
Heavy doors were used to secure the gate on the east and north sides of the tower.
Jaffa Gate was built in 1538 during the Ottaman Period, when most of the Old City walls were built. It is in the shape of a medieval tower gate. The road does a right angle turn inside the tower. This made it more defensible against an invading army.
Today, the traffic through the Gate is foot traffic. Vehicles use the road through the wall opening directly to the south of the gate. The breach in the wall was made in 1898 to allow German emperor Kaiser Wilhelm II to enter the city as a conqueror.
In 1917, British general Edmund Allenby entered the Old City on foot through the Gate. He wanted to show respect, and avoid any comparison with Kaiser’s pompous entrance.
We finished packing, and walked out through Jaffa Gate one more time. This time we were schlepping the heavy suitcase.
I bought the tram tickets with 10-shekel coins, instead of a card, to use them up. The timing worked out well, as we caught the first tram with little wait time.
But the timing didn’t look good for catching the 8:03 train to Ben Gurion Airport. People were running down the steps, without a 50 pound suitcase. And they didn’t even have to buy tickets.
Amazingly, the ticket machine worked smoothly, and within a minute, we had tickets in hand. We rejoined the mad rush to the platform.
The train was already waiting. We found a spot to stash the suitcase, and were soon seated across the aisle from each in the only adjacent seats remaining in the car.
We watched the scenery of Israel flash by the windows. Desert, orchards, bee hives, the shephala, all appeared in rapid sequence.
Before we knew it, we were at the airport. We followed signs to terminal 3, and rode the elevator to floor 3.
The security questioner was a newbie, with an instructor by her side. We answered her questions, and they let us proceed. The suitcase was a couple of kilos over, but this agent said it was ok.
Then it was through the security. Julia’s hair pins beeped. When she told them she cant take them out, a lady wanded her and let her through.
We spent a few more shekels for breakfast. Chocolate croissant to share, and a latte and cappuccino.
Julia used the airport wifi to catch up on her WhatsApp messages. We were soon on the plane. Looks like the flight won’t take the full 12 hours.
Thanks for following our trip. We feel better equipped for planning a tour next November. Stay tuned for more posts about Israel. But, don’t expect them every day.
