Not so much to blog about today. We set off early had an uneventful and much faster trip back to Tel Aviv to drop off the hire car. Shared bus from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. We are staying in the Lutheran Guest House in the Old City, it is just awesome, really old on the outside but renovated with sensitivity. Just had a four course dinner, with the rest of the clientele who are a church group from Germany.
We had a quick wander around the city to reacquaint ourselves. Found ourselves at the Western Wall thinking again about our links with our Judaic heritage… but more on that tomorrow. Up bright and early to go to the Kotel and then… we will accompany the Franciscans on the Via Dolorosa…
Early start to be at the Site of the Temple for 8am. The Kotel (Western Wall) was already a hub of activity. There is something powerful about being among people who pray so intently.
Our tour took us down under the Islamic Quarter following along the Western Wall to the place closest to the Holy of Hollies. Every stone of the Temple was hand sanded and carved to touch it is incredibly smooth. This was the 2nd Temple the one where Jesus was presented, where he ‘was about His Fathers business’ where he overturned the tables and where He declared He was the light of the world.
There is a most definite presence of God around the place. It feels a bit like a magnet I keep being drawn back.
On the way back to our Guest House we passed Nehemiah’s wall built over 2600 years ago on the return from exile.
In the late afternoon we joined the Franciscan monks to walk the Via Delarosa. This was incredibly moving. As we walked in procession, maybe 300 of us the monks chanted and sang. At each station the Scripture was read. We pushed through the tiny Jerusalem streets. Making our way to The Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Here by tradition is the site of Golgotha and the tomb. Who knows exactly where it al happened? No one living. But it was around here, the context is right and it was a horrible death and glorious resurrection. And the truth was Either I must die at his hands or he must die at mine. He chose to die at mine!
So by the time we arrived back we were well and truly exhausted. We must have walked up and down 1000’s of steps. But it was a truly blessed day.
11th and 18th October Ingleborough and Pen-Y-Ghent
15th and 16th November… in the Lakes
6th Dec
10th and 11th Jan
7th and 8th Feb
