Greetings, WLBC Family,
It was a whirlwind last day. We started the day on the Mount of Olives, home of the Garden of Gethsemane, the place where Jesus ascended into heaven and the place where He will return soon. It also happens to give some pretty spectacular views of Jerusalem. I had a wonderful time of prayer and reflection in Gethsemane.
We then went back into the Old City and stopped at the Pools of Bethesda where Jesus healed the man who had been lame for 38 years. Next, we walked the Via Dolorosa- the Way of Sorrows. It isn’t really the absolutely authentic path Jesus took to Calvary, but it does give one a good idea of the approximate route and time it took. That, of course assumes that the Church of the Holy Sepulcher is the authentic location of Calvary and the resurrection tomb. Our tour leader, Michael Rydelnik, thinks it is almost certain to be the spot. I’ll tell you my experiences and impressions of it when I get home.
We then went to Gordon’s Calvary- the garden Tomb. It is a radically different atmosphere than the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. It is a worshipful, peaceful and loving place. While it is not as likely to be authentic, it does give one a little better feel for what it would have looked like back in the time of Jesus. More details on that when I get home.
Speaking of getting home… As I write this, it is a little after 8:00 PM Jerusalem time. My bus will take me to the airport in Tel Aviv at 1:30 AM for a 5:50 AM flight to Istanbul. I then have a five hour layover in Istanbul and then a 12 hour flight home to Chicago, where I will arrive at at 7:00 PM Friday evening. I will not be in church this coming Sunday, but, Lord willing, I will see you all soon thereafter.
Attached is a picture of a view of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives and a familiar shot from inside the the Garden Tomb. [These pictures follow this post. – Rick]
Once again… THANK YOU! I love you all and look forward to seeing you, although it probably will take me a decade to organize all my thoughts, pictures and video….
Shalom,
Pastor Dan