Today we focussed on sites related to the Biblical passages concerning Jesus’ last week in Jerusalem. Our goal is to understand why He was crucified, how He was buried, and what it meant to the Jewish people of the First Century that He was raised from the dead. We began our day with a panoramic overlook of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, the site of Jesus’ ascension to heaven and His future second coming. After viewing a tomb from the time of Jesus, we walked down the Mount of Olives to Gethsemane. Next we crossed the Kidron Valley and enter the Old City through Stephen’s Gate, stopping to examine the remains of the Pool of Bethesda. From here we walked to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the most likely site of the burial and resurrection of Jesus.

In the evening we expanded our understanding of the role of the Lamb of God by celebrating a Jewish Passover Seder meal together, making Biblical connections to the “last supper” that Jesus shared with his disciples.

The Jewish cemetery on the Mt of Olives

Dominus Flevit – Jesus wept as He looked at Jerusalem

Walking down the Mt of Olives

In the Garden of Gethsemene

Church of All Nations – Gethsemane

 On the way to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre – where Golgotha and the tomb of Jesus are found.

Climbing to Calvary

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Judith outside a 2nd Temple era tomb – inside the church of the Holy Sepulchre

Colin and Carolyn in front of a Crusader column

The marks of ancient pilgrims

Rev. Craig with our tour guide and pastor at Christ Church

At Christ Church Guest House for a Sedar meal