Journey to the Mt. of Olives
Trip Start
Jan 08, 2008
1
11
33
Trip End
Mar 18, 2008
Jerusalem,
Israel
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
The Palm Sunday journey begins at the village of Beth-page. This village is no longer here but the place were the journey began is well known. We of course had to get up to this place so we went up the Mt. of Olives first. It was a bit of a climb but worth the effort. We started with a view of the Old City. Before we went on the Palm Sunday walk we first went to the site were Jesus often taught His disciples. It is believed He taught them the Lords Prayer at this site. The church is unusual because it has no roof above most of it. The walls are covered with the plaques of The Lords Prayer in a variety of languages. The present day building is built over the ruins of a Church that was built over the cave that is believed to be the place of Jesus' teaching. It is also believed that at this spot Jesus & the Disciples spent evenings when it was too late to walk back to Bethany. This site was been a place of teaching in the ancient world. We now begin our trip down the path that Jesus took. Unfortunately, there were no donkeys to ride so we walked! About half way down the path we stopped at a Church that was build on the site that Jesus (at a time earlier than the Palm Sunday ride) looked upon Jerusalem and wept. The picture though the window of the Church is His first view of Jerusalem. I believe He wept because He knew that His message of love and reconciliation between God and humanity was about to be rejected. He offered real hope and it was going to be ignored. Even though Jesus knew He was going to be ignored by most, He still went into the city to teach and preach. Jesus did not give up on people because of His love.We need to continue to offer people Christ and not give up on people, just because many may not believe.
The Mt of Olives
We continue our walk and come to the foot of the hill to the court yard of the Church of All Nations. They have in their courtyard olive trees that are over 1,000 years old. The Garden of Gethsemane was an olive tree orchard. The entire Mt. of Olives was covered with olive trees in Jesus's time. Today, most of it is a Jewish cemetery. The modern church is build on the ruins of a Crusader church - which was built on the ruins of a 7th century church. This site has been known since the first century. Inside the Church we find the Rock of Agony. On the walls and ceiling are mosaics that depict various events from Jesus' life and death. One of those pictures is below. Our walk ends at this point.
Jesus went up to the Temple Mount through the Beautiful Gate and into the Temple proper. He spent many hours teaching on the Temple Mount. One day He was upset that the money changers were cheating pilgrims so He turned over their tables. (It is good to keep in mind that He got angry once but spent many hours teaching peace between God and humanity and between the peoples of the earth. Jerusalem and the rest of us are still having trouble with this message of peace. May your own personal journey through the hills of Lent bring you closer to the Lord we acknowledge as Saviour.
Our Love and Prayers,
Michael & Jolene
Comments
Quite the photographer
Hello you two. The pictures are amazing not to mention everything you two are doing. I am very jealous with all the adventures you are having it is quite the joy to be reading these. Do you see many tourists? I hope this finds you doing well and love you both.
aaron