Day 11: Temple Mount and The Garden Tomb- UPDATED WITH PICTURES!!

We had an interesting start to our day today. We went through heavy security to get on to the Temple Mount to see the courtyard containing the Dome of the Rock and El Aksa Mosque. It was an eerie feeling, and yet I almost had no feeling at all. The Dome of the Rock is a memorial to Mohammed as it is said that here he received revelation from God. Yet it is interesting that Jerusalem is not mentioned once in the Koran, only Mecca and Medina are mentioned. Also interesting is that when the Muslims pray in the El Aksa mosque, they pray facing east toward Mecca which is away from the Dome of the Rock. It is as if they don’t really care about being there, except to keep it from the Jews who are wailing just outside the walls to be able to worship there.
On the Temple Mount in front of the Dome of the Rock












The "Back of the Bus Crew" on the Temple Mount. A Brit, two Floridians and two Californians.











Bodie, Heidi and Ronnie, our guide. He has been awesome. Please pray for him, he is searching and open.











Next we went and saw the ruins of the pools of Bethesda. This is where Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath (John 5). These were really interesting. There were remains of Roman cisterns - man those were deep!There was also a small cathedral with amazing acoustics right near the pools. We sang worship along with other believers and it was amazing!

Remains of the Pools of Bethesda! Don't jump in right now, though. I don't think you would be healed.










Come on, would you pass up a shot like this? Chow-Yun Fat has nothing on us!












We then walked along the Via Dolorosa which is the traditional (Catholic) path of Jesus when on His way to be crucified. However, we learned that it cannot be the actual street He went down because it was built upon 4 centuries later. What really matters is not the actual street but remembering what Jesus sacrificed for us.

We walked through and had lunch (falafel!) in the Arab Quarter which was an interesting experience. It was crowded we were regarded with a kind of apathetic amusement. We had one funny experience: It seems everyone in all of Israel wants to sell things to the Americans for "One dollah!" Well, one man selling fresh pita shouted out "Do you like Jesus?" Of course we said yes. He said "Then buy his bread! I sold this bread to Jesus and he liked it very much." Of course we bought it, but wondered why more people wouldn't want to buy Jesus' bread? Hmmm.
This is a shot down a street in the Arab District.


















We then made our way to Golgotha which is the high ground of Mr. Moriah. This is where many believe Jesus was crucified. You can actually see a skull shape in the rock. Within steps is the garden tomb they believe Jesus was buried and then resurrected. We learned so much that supports this, but we can't share it all here. Suffice it to say it was a wonderful thing to see. After all in our group had seen both sites, we gathered for communion.
Golgotha. Can you see the eyes and nose of the face of a skull? Wow.












The entrance to the tomb.


















Bodie and I in the Garden of the Tomb













Tonight we have the second part of the Temple Conference in which the guest speaker Tuvia Sagiv will present his research supporting the "southern conjecture" of the location of the actual temple mount. It should be interesting.Tomorrow is our last day, and we will most likely be going to the Yad Vashem (Holocost museum) and the Shrine of the Book and the Israel museum. It promises to be just as full a day as the rest.

We have been so blessed to be here. Thank you for all your continued prayers and support!