Jerusalem:Full day one

Much walking today, but obviously well worth it all. Yesterday upon our arrival in Jerusalem from Jericho, we stopped by the museum to see a large outdoor model of the city. That (kind of) helped to orient us.

Today we took our tour bus to the following locations. I've included just a brief observation about each one:

1. Caiaphas's palace: The position of the Jewish "High priest" was more a position of power and prestige, as well as a position of potential great wealth. Annas had apparently paid the Romans well to secure the position of high priest for himself and his sons to come after him. However, he ran out of sons and thus Caiaphas who was a son in law of Annas was in line to be high priest. The position was more about power than about religious reasons.

2. There was a pit below Caiaphas's palace and apparently that is where Jesus was held between trials. It was a pit and likely He was tortured there as well. Interestingly another person was held temporarily in a pit. Someone who was the special, favored son of his father. Someone whose brothers did not stick with him during the time. Who was that other person in a pit? Joseph, a type of Christ.

3. We went to a church commemorating Peter and remembering his thrice denial of Jesus. His denial happened so quickly, so much without his even thinking twice about it. We can so quickly deny Christ, saying, "No, I'm not one of His followers." Yet even though we may so quickly give up on Him, He still pursues and loves us, giving us grace and mercy. He is always there, standing ready to forgive, without our earning it nor deserving it.

4. Upper room: We read John 15 and were reminded that aprt from the true vine, we can bear no fruit. From where do I draw my life? When and under what circumstances do I feel most alive? He wants it to be when I am connected to Him. So I ask myself, Am I closely connected and daily walking with Him?

5. Mt of Olives: Ezekial refers to God's glory departing from the temple. It implies that His Glory rests momentarily on the hill outside Jerusalem, the Mt. Of Olives. In the same way, Jesus overlooked the holy city, weeping for her because they rejected the Messiah. He then ascended to heaven on the Mt. of Olives. Scripture says that He will return some day on that very spot and for that we look forward. We were so blessed to be on that spot, the Mt. of Olives.

Here are a few pictures: