Today was the ‘Jerusalem approaches field day’. This day consisted of visiting many sites, all in the view of Jerusalem. Our main stops were Mt. of Olives, Herodium, and Bethlehem. We were able to spend a good amount of time at all three of the places. I found today to be a refreshing break from what we have been doing. The past few days have consisted of visiting many spiritually heavy areas. Walking on the Temple Mount, praying at the Western Wall... and more. They left me a bit somber, and I know Justin expressed the same. While we weep with Jesus over the lost state of Jerusalem, we were able to see sites of our Christian faith today. Visiting these sites helped boost our spirits!

     

        The first stop was the Mt. of Olives. We were able to see beautiful views and I enjoyed looking out over the city. Perhaps my favorite part of the Mt. of Olives was the reflection given by Dr. Rassmussen (our leader!, who also wrote our Bible Atlas from Zondervan... he’s legit!). He gave a biblical overview of the importance of the city of Jerusalem. He started with the importance during the time of David. How it was a place for God to come and be able to dwell with his people! Then he talked about when the Assyrian’s came the spirit of God left, over the Mt. of Olives and into the wilderness. Then came John the Baptist, a voice in the desert calling “prepare the way for the LORD”... Jesus came over the Mount of Olives and wept over Jerusalem. After his death and resurrection Paul tells us that now, instead of Jerusalem, we are the temple of God. His spirit dwells in us and we are the new Jerusalem for all people. The way that the Jews used to cleanse before coming up to the Temple is now our responsibility to keep ourselves clean every day! He said this and much more, email me and I can ramble more and more :)

Supper time!

The rest will be quick, we saw the Church of all nations, garden of gethsemane, Herodium, and Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity.

Leah Lechner