Today, the team was able to capitalize on a few extra minutes of sleep as the sites we were headed to didn’t open as early as before. Once everyone filled up with another delicious breakfast, we were off and running.
Our first stop was that of the Garden Tomb. As we entered the tomb we were met by a volunteer from England who would be our guide. Funny jokes, a great sense of humor and an over the top love for Jesus describes him well. Really, we had thought we had run to a British Fred Nudd. He lead us to the platform that looks out to the Place of the Skull and shared with us that this could have possibility been the place where Jesus died. But at the end of the day…what does it matter….He isn’t here, He has risen. Then he lead us down the path to the where the Garden Tomb is. Many hearts were touched by the sight of this place. Again the guide gave an explanation as to what we were looking at, which could be the tomb the Lord was laid in but then he said, “What does that matter if it is or not…He isn’t here, He has risen.” Following our exploration of the tomb, we then gathered together for a time of remembrance as Pastor Glen lead us in the Lord’s Supper. What a special time of thanksgiving! And a reminder that Jesus is coming!
From the Garden Tomb, we turned back time and headed to Caiaphas House, known as St. Peter’s Gallicantu. Here we saw where Jesus was lowered into the pit. This was also the place where Peter denied the Lord.
Pastor Glen taught us through the Pathway to Pain from Luke 22:39-62. He should us five things relating to this situation. They included being overconfident in the flesh, sleeping instead of praying, replacing devotion with action, following a far off and getting warm by the enemy’s fire. It was a great reminder of how easy I can sleep off course and how important it is for me to draw near to Jesus each day!
Under the warmth of the bright and shining sun, it was off to the Temple Mount. We were not permitted to take our Bibles or display any Christian symbols. The dress code was also very strict. A couple of the gals were pulled a side because their shoulders were too exposed. One received a shawl and the other had to wear Pastor Quinn’s shirt. All was well. It was quiet the experience to walk on the Temple Mount but the biggest and most exciting thing was the reminder that one day there will be a Third Temple built and that time is drawing near!
From there it was lunch time, then we headed to the Davidson Center. Here we saw a video of what it would be like to bring a sacrifice to the Temple. It was a great visual to help bring everything we had seen together. Once we were done, it was then on to the Southern Steps. Here Pastor Glen taught us from John 7:37-39. The main focus was simply “if anyone thirsts”. This teaching brought our hearts to the place of recognizing and remembering the importance the Holy Spirit plays in our life through His three fold function of “with, in and upon”. Where does it all start? The moment I believe, the Holy Spirit begins a work in me. But God isn’t satisfied with just a work, He wants me to affect others. His desire is that my life would be an instrument, a channel of His love and grace. He wants to flow through me to others. In closing, Pastor Glen challenged us to examine our relationship with the Holy Spirit.
Once we left the Southern Steps, we spent a bit of time at the Western Wall and then it was back to the hotel for food and a good night sleep.
Bless you and thank you for your prayers!
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