Friday, The Pinnacle of the Trip

Without a doubt, the high point of the trip was on Friday.  It was a powerful experience to walk in the steps of Jesus and see some of the places where He was at the end of His life here. 

John 19:13 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. The picture above is of the Pavement, where Pilate "put Jesus on trial."  What a joke to think that a mere mortal could put the King of the Universe on trial!  At the time that Jesus was there it did not have a ceiling like it does now.  It was out in the open.  But the paving stones that are there seem to go back to the time of Christ.

We soon began to travel the Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrows) to see where Jesus ended his journey at an "Old Rugged Cross."  Hebrews 13:12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. That gate was the Damascus Gate.  Two roads intersected outside this gate and it was a prime place for the Romans to crucify "criminals."  That helped to make the example better known.  Also, by having the crucifixion by the road people could read the accusation that was fastened to the cross. The approximate site of Jesus' crucifixion is now a Moslem bus station.  The mouth of the "skull" is covered over.  A look at an old photo from the early 1900's shows the "skull" more clearly than today. Here is a picture of the Damascus Gate and then a picture of Golgotha. The Damascus Gate picture is focused on the level where it was at the time of Christ.  What you see on the right hand side and above is where the gate is today. 

Damascus Gate Above right

 

"Place of the Skull"

We soon entered the Garden Tomb area.  Our guide in the garden was a retired British minister who was volunteering his time there to lead tours and talk with them about the Crucifixion, tomb, etc.  I believe his name was Paul Weaver.  His discourse on the crucifixion was absolutely powerful!  I remember as a teenager singing "Up Calvary's Mountain," for the first time, as I recall.  The message of the song overwhelmed my heart as I thought of such love.  As our guide talked of the execution of our Savior it overwhelmed my heart as well.  "Such love, such wondrous love, that God should love a sinner such as I, how wonderful is love like this."

Soon we were privileged to leave the area of Golgotha and enter the garden tomb.  Thank God that we have not believed in vain!  Our hope is in the Christ of the empty tomb.  What a thrill to enter there where death seemed to reign for a few long days.  There is a sign inside the tomb that says it all, "He is not here, for He is risen."  Israel should be high on your list of places to visit.  The Israelis treasure their tourist business and work hard to protect it.  I felt very safe there.  God bless and thanks for following my efforts at blogging our trip!  I plan an addendum post on some thoughts that I had while journeying home.  Here is a picture of the garden tomb.