Day 8 - Temple Mount and More!

St. Anna Church

Dome on The Rock

Bethesada

Day 8 -   Temple Mount and More!

We started off early this morning and walked through the Temple Mount.  This is the place Abraham was to sacrifice Isaac.  We did learn that the Muslims believe it was Ishmael rather than Isaac…. interesting..   We walked by the area where Christ and Paul were both tried in the courts and then viewed the East gate. This is where Christ rode through on a donkey on Palm Sunday.  It is also where he will break through upon his return.  We have included a picture of the sealed gate on the East wall of the city.  We toured the Church of St. Anna, the area where Mary was born according to the Catholic church.  We sat here and sang together.  We then toured Bethesada.  This is where Christ healed the crippled man and told him to take up his mat and walk.  We then passed through the Garden of Gethsemane.  It is unreal to walk into these places and try to process all that you are seeing.  We sat in the Church of Agony at the Garden and reflected Christ being betrayed by Judas and Christs prayer to God asking him to take this cup.  Leaving here we moved on to Bethlehem.  We toured the Church of Nativity, the birthplace of Christ.  There is nothing there now that would give you any indication physically of Christs birth but the Church marks the area.  We had lunch at Ruths! A great gyro sandwich from a wonderful Christian woman.  We heard a great testimony from a man named Joseph and shopped at a store that had beautiful olive wood carvings.  We ended the day at Shepherds Hill.  This is where the story of Ruth and Boaz occurred and the kindness that flows from this story. We included a picture of Pastor Joe, reading to us in the cave here.  He has provided us great guidance throughout this week and unbelievable leadership.   

Pastor Joe

The Eastern Gate

Church of Agony

Church of Agony at Mt. of Olives

Church of Nativity