Jerusalem . . .

What an unforgettable day this has been! We left our hotel at the Dead Sea early this morning and began the journey to Jerusalem. The weather has been gorgeous every day, and today was no exception with a cloudless blue sky and a cool breeze greeting us this morning. We made our first stop near Jericho at a Bedouin store and then began our ascent to Jerusalem. From any direction, one must always go "up" to Jerusalem. As we got closer, several of our group members took turns reading the Psalms of Ascents, beginning with Psalm 120. We read through Psalm 126, and then it was time to start watching for Jerusalem. We drove past Bethany, and I knew we were getting close. We went through a checkpoint and then entered a tunnel. When we came out the other end of the tunnel, there was Jerusalem! The song "Jerusalem" was playing on the cd player in the bus, and we all joined in and sang as we took in the beautiful City of God. I will always remember the emotion of that moment! Our Israeli guide, Haim, shared with us a Hebrew blessing that is said any time a person enters Jerusalem for the first time or after a long absence: "Thank You, LORD, for letting me live to see this moment." That is exactly how I felt. It was awesome!
Our first stop was the Hebrew University where we were able to sit and look out over Jerusalem, hear a brief history of the city, and get our bearings. Afterwards, we walked down Palm Sunday Road, the narrow, descending road that Jesus used to enter Jerusalem at the beginning of Passover week 2000 years ago. We had to hold on to the rail and walk single file, because the ancient stones have been worn so smooth that they are as slippery as glass. We stopped at a 3,000 year old Jewish cemetery which faces the Eastern Gate of the Old City Wall. The Muslims have shut this gate and have their own cemetery outside the gate. They know that Messiah is supposed to enter Jerusalem through the Eastern Gate, so they have done everything they can think of to keep Him out. But nothing will be able to keep Jesus from entering that gate when He returns!
We then walked a little farther down the Palm Sunday Road to Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. This was one of the most special times on our trip. Karen presented a teaching time there in the Garden, and then we were invited to spend time alone with God among the olive trees. To kneel to pray in the place where Jesus had so often gone and where He sought time with His Father before He was arrested was overwhelming. Some of the trees in Gethsemane are over 2500 years old, so they were there when Jesus was.
We boarded the bus, and everyone was quiet and reflective as we drove to a kibbutz for lunch. After lunch we visited the Shepherds' Fields of Bethlehem. You can still see where the shepherds would have been watching their flocks the night of Jesus' birth, and, in fact, several shepherds came through the area while we were listening to Karen's teaching. As we listened to the recounting of God's wonderful announcement of Christ's birth, we were reminded of the over 200 Old Testament prophecies which were fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Just as the angels announced the birth of the Messiah, believers today are to be God's spokespersons for the Gospel.
We then went to the city of Bethlehem, which is under Palestinian authority. We had to change buses and guides, as our Israeli bus, driver, and guide were not allowed to cross the border. It was a different world on the Palestinian side! We visited the Church of the Nativity and shopped at a store that is run by Arab Christians. After leaving Bethlehem, we drove to our hotel, the Leonardo Plaza. We enjoyed a delicous dinner tonight and will sleep well after such a busy and exciting day!
Tomorrow we will go into the Old City. I still can't believe I am here!