Holy Land - 11.21

This day started by standing in a security line and waiting to enter the Temple Mount through the Tanner's Gate, located next to the Dung Gate. We learned much in the line as the conversations and teaching focused on the Islamic belief in eternal reward for deception in this lifetime. The more they deceive, the greater the reward. For the first time, we also saw Jews begging for alms outside the temple.

Once inside, we saw the Eastern Gate, which the Muslims sealed to keep Jesus from returning to Jerusalem as He said He would. Question: Why would you seal a gate to keep out someone you say you don't believe in? Why would you install a cemetery in front of the gate to keep out Jesus, the Jewish Rabbi? Why would you cut down the olive trees so this King could not be anointed? Answer: Because deep down, you really do believe! Actions speak much louder than words!

While at the temple, we also saw the Dome of the Rock that covers the place where Abraham offered Isaac - the son of promise. This event was a picture of salvation revealing that God would offer His promised Son, Jesus. (Muslims believe Abraham offered Ishmael - the son outside the promise.) We saw the "Place of the Spirits," which many believe is the location of the Holy of Holies. We sat on the steps of the South Gate looking over the old city. As we walked, we sampled Pomegranate juice. We saw the great wall that Herod built as a retaining wall and saw the stones that were still present from the time when the temple was destroyed. We saw the area where the place of the money changers and where sacrifices were sold. We saw the old road around the city and the narrow road used by those who had already cleansed themselves. There was so much history and so many light bulbs coming on as we walked, saw, touched, and learned about the temple. Click on either or both of the following links for some great pictures and much information about the temple: 1) http://www.bibleplaces.com/templemount.htm 2) http://www.sacred-destinations.com/israel/jerusalem-temple-mount

One of my favorite spots to visit was the Western Wall. After seeing and understanding the layout of the temple and the surrounding areas, "why" the Jews choose to pray in this place now makes sense. This is the closest point to where they believe the Holy of Holies was. The men in our group had to cover our heads with a hat or a one of the yarmulkes or kippahs they provided. The prayer areas were divided with men praying on one side of the fence and the ladies on the other. There were many Bar Mitzvahs in progress during our visit. These are held at the temple on Mondays and have great meaning in the various ritualistic components.

Our next stop was the Old City for lunch, shopping, and puddle jumping (it was raining). The Old City is interesting with so many shops and all of them packed so together tightly. Each street looks almost identical and it did take us some effort to find our way back to "the Fountain," which was in close proximity to our meeting place. Everyone was soaked (especially the lady who was standing on the sidewalk when the car hit the puddle beside her), so we went back to the hotel to dry off and take hot showers.

Just before supper, the group met to ask questions, share testimonies, and to discuss our plans for tomorrow. This was a special time, and I especially enjoyed the answers that explained how much we get "wrong" when trying to teach Jewish tradition from an American viewpoint. Many will give an account for teaching American preferences as Bible doctrine!