Jerusalem - 10/03/2012
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| Street where Christ walk to the cross may have started |
The bus took us back to the old city via Stephen's gate (aka Lion's Gate) and we walked through the Muslim Quarter on the Via Dolorosa or the "Street of Sorrows". Tradition holds that this was the path that Christ took on His final walk to Calvary. There were Christian pilgrims walking the path and stopping to pray at each "Station of the Cross" marked at churches built along the way at points where significant events are believed to have happened (for example, where Joseph carried the cross for Christ). Most of the Via Dolorosa is in the Muslim quarter and it is a noisy, dirty, narrow street through souvenir shops. We walked the path to the Damascus gate through which Christ would have walked to His crucifixion.
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| Golgotha the sign of the skull |
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| The Garden Tomb |
The Catholic Church owns the property which contains the Garden Tomb. They provided a tour guide who gave a correct, if uninspiring recitation of the Savior's crucifixion and resurrection. She pointed out Golgotha, the sign of the skull and described where Jesus was likely raised on the cross - the spot is below the hill Golgotha, not on top of it, in an old quarry virtually on the road from Jerusalem to Damascus. By the way, they believe that this is the place where Stephen would have been stoned also. She showed us the Garden Tomb and shared the story of how it was found and obtained (identified by a British soldier and purchased from a Greek who had unsuccessfully seeking water on the property). The garden has a number of separate theater seating areas, is lovely and peaceful, except when a group of Evangelicals are boisterously praying, chanting and singing. Their loud worship made it difficult to focus on the Spirit and the message of the site.
Brother Madsen delivered a touching discourse on the Savior's crucifixion and resurrection. He offered Harold B Lee's opinion that the Garden Tomb is the place where the Savior's body was laid to rest. All the biblical description seems to fit this location - however, there are other Christians who believe that the Church of the Holy Seplucre is where his body was laid. The group concluded by singing "I Know That My Redeemer Lives". It was a moving experience.
Israel - 10/04/2012
The weather was a little warmer to but still quite nice. This is our last night in Jerusalem. We drive to the Jordanian border tomorrow morning and will stay in Amman the next two nights. When I checked email this morning there was a notice from the US State Department informing me that they are expecting Muslim demonstrations on Friday in Amman. I think most of the sites we plan to see are
outside the city.
We drove out to the Bit Lehi archaeological site about 35 miles south of Jerusalem this morning. It was interesting to see an active archaeological dig but I only saw two possible connections to Lehi in the Book of Mormon. First, he could have been born in this place and thus he could have been named after the community. Second, there was some graffiti in a cave that appears to have been written by a "holy man" around the conquering of Jerusalem by the Assyrians.
On the return trip we stopped by the Valley of Elah where David slew Goliath. Brother Madsen took us to the brook where David selected his five smooth stones to use in his sling for his battle with Goliath. He spoke about David's anointing to be king by the prophet Samuel and related it to the first
calling of a stake president in which he participated. Boyd K Packer presided and taught Brother Madsen, who was participating as the mission president over the area, that they were not selecting a stake president, they were there to discover who the Lord had called and prepared to be the next stake president. He also spoke of David's faith and courage to take on the Goliath challenge and how we likewise need faith and courage to overcome the Goliath challenges we will face.
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