Author Archives: ForThisPurpose

Various pictures that didn’t fit the itinerary!

Reflection: When at the wailing wall, you can sense the power of prayer and the deep mourning of the Jewish people over the destruction of the temple. The rabbinical tunnel is like walking through history, and the newly built synagogue is particularly impressive. Prayer: That we would marvel at the presence of God and appreciateContinue reading “Day 8: Western “Wailing” Wall & Rabbinical Tunnel”

The Garden Tomb is the believed (speculated) sight of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. Both the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Garden Tomb make this claim, but there is not any confirmed evidence at either location. In the mix of the crowds and tourists everywhere, it’s important not to forget that Jesus defeating deathContinue reading “Day 8: Garden Tomb”

Via Dolorosa (“Way of Grief” in Latin) is a road in the old city of Jerusalem, a path where Jesus was lead in agony, carrying the crucifixion cross.  There are a total of 14 stations along this path, based on events that occurred on the way to the Golgotha hill, the site of crucifixion, whichContinue reading “Day 8: Antonia Fortress, Via Dolorosa, Church of Holy Sepulchre”

1 After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. 3 In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. 5 One man was there who had been an invalidContinue reading “Day 8: Pool of Bethesda / St. Anne’s Church”

40 When they heard these words, some of the people said, “This really is the Prophet.” 41 Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Is the Christ to come from Galilee? 42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the offspring of David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” 43Continue reading “Day 7: Bethlehem”

The world holocaust remembrance center. This is extremely heavy, disturbing, and moving. It has thousands and thousands of exhibits. The testimonials of the survivors are particularly heartbreaking and powerful. We spent four hours at Yad Vashem, but it would be easy to spend an entire day there. Out of respect, I only took a handfulContinue reading “Day 7: Yad Vashem”

The original site of King David’s capital city of Israel. David captured, strengthened, and beautified the city making it his capital. David reigned 7 1/2 years in Hebron and 33 years in Jerusalem 1010-970 B.C.) David called Jerusalem “The City of David”. The city at that time occupied only the cone shaped spur of landContinue reading “Day 6: City of David, Hezekiah’s Tunnel, Pool of Siloam”

Extensive excavations have revealed steps leading up to the Temple dating back to the time of Jesus The southern side of the temple mount was fortified and built from the  Herod the Great, King of Israel under the Romans (37BC – 4BC), enlarged and rebuilt the second temple, and made it a magnificent temple. TheContinue reading “Day 6: Southern Temple Steps”

The temple mount is the place where the Biblical temples were built, starting from King Solomon almost 3,000 years ago. The temple was built in 3 phases (Solomon, Zerubbabel, and Herod) and was destroyed by the Romans. The temple was never rebuilt again by the Jews, and replaced by the Muslim shrines in the 8thContinue reading “Day 6: The Temple Mount”