Christ will come through these Gates on His triumphal return to Jerusalem
Looking over the old City
The Lord's Prayer in English at the Pater Noster Church
The original road to the house of Caiaphas--2,000 yrs. old.
The Upper Room where the Last Supper was held.
Ancient Olive tree
Garden of Gethsemane...
Mustard Seed Tree - Sandy Ostler & Sue
Dad coming out of The Tomb of Lazarus
Entrance to Lazarus' Tomb
While it's fresh on my mind I want to tell you about the wonderful time we had being with the students and their Professor Craig Ostler and his wife Sandy. I'll take a few ideas out of their student manual to explain where we went and what we saw. "A culmination in both time and purpose of the Jerusalem Center program is a two-day field trip which focuses on the Savior's movements, activities and teachings during the final week of His mortal ministry." We were so grateful to be invited to join with them and be participants in such a wonderful experience.
The location of some of these sites were more than walking distance from the JCenter so we took buses which I was grateful for because of the heat.....(I decided I am a fair-weather traveller.) At every sight in addition to the Professor speaking he had assigned several students to talk about the location, it's history, the scriptures pertaining to it and then end with a song. The first place we visited was Bethany where the Savior lodged at the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. At this location we visit the tomb were Lazarus was raised from the dead.
Right across the street from Lazarus' Tomb was a beautiful tree with yellow flowers. Sandy Ostler explained the story of the mustard seed. The seeds in the pods where tiny compared to the mustard seeds I have used or cooked with - the scriptures took on a new meaning to us.
I appreciated the comments of Bro. Ostler talking about how the Savior had come to the home of His friends where He was welcomed and loved before he started His final week. We then travelled to nearby Bethphage where He mounted the colt for His Triumphal Entry on Sunday four days before Passover. Before entering Jerusalem, he wept over the city, and then proceeded to the Temple Mount, where He chastened the money-changers. We next visited the Pool of Bethesda were the man was healed by the Savior. It wasn't actually in chronological order according to the Scriptures but it was on our way. We ended our 1st day tour by visiting the Upper Room where the Passover meal known as the Last Supper occurred. It was a sweet experience there because when we arrived we were not the only tourist....as was the case at most of the sites. When the students finished their talks about the Last Supper taking place in this beautiful, small room they began singing one of our sacred Sacrament hymns and slowly as more of the group joined in they started singing in 4 part music, acapella. Other tourist stop to listen to the harmony. I don't know if the acoustics where extra special in this room or what but their voices blended so beautifully and the spirit was so strong. I don't think the Tabernacle Choir could have touched hearts any more than this small group of young people. Many of the tourist started filming the group and others walked away wiping tears. That ended our first day.
We started earlier the next day with the bus taking us to the top of the Mount of Olives which over looks the whole of Old Jerusalem. From it you can see the Golden Arches where the Savior is to have His Triumphal return. It's interesting to note that the Muslims have filled the wall with cement just in case the Savior tries to return through the gate. Now they don't believe in Him but they want to make sure He won't be able to come through the gates...hmmm.. Creator of Heaven's and Earth and World's without number won't be able to come through a sealed up wall? We walked down this long cobble stone path to the Garden of Gethsemane at the foot of the Mount of Olives where the Savior took His Disciples, Peter James and John after the Last Supper. In this hallowed place our Savior prayed, experienced agony and suffering beyond anything man could comprehend. It is also where He was arrested and taken to the house of Caiaphas for a trial by the "chief priests," who condemned Him to death for religious blasphemy. After our scriptures and song in the Garden of Gethsemane we were allowed time to pray and ponder the sacred events which took place in this holy garden. As I was praying I was overcome by the feelings of gratitude for my sweet husband of 42 yrs, for our 9 wonderful children and their amazing spouses and the best 33 grandchildren a grandma and grandpa could ever want. The what IF's came to mind my....what if Bob had not invited me to learn more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, what would my life be like now at this point and would I even understand or appreciate the eternal act of love given here in this Holy spot by my Savior. Well, the tears fell and my heart was humbled by what the Holy Spirit taught me in that Holy Garden. I know that the Savior was there in that Sacred place and that He did go through the Atonement for you and me. I had the spirit testify that to me. I am here on this service assignment away from my dear family and friends because of my testimony of the reality of this supernal, eternal event which took place. As we left the garden, we went by the Pater Noster Church. This church was associated at first generally with Jesus instructing His Apostles during the last week then later specifically with the Lord's Prayer. There are over three score or 60 of these beautiful tiled Lord's Prayer all in different languages. It took the gift of tongues to read some of these but many of our RM's found their languages they had learned on their missions and had a great time reading to all of us. It was so neat to hear the different languages the RM's spoke.
We entered the old city walls to followed the "way of the cross" or Via dolorosa which is Latin for "the way of sorrows"to the Garden Tomb. A quote from the pamphlet "This garden has been carefully preserved as a Christian holy site because many believe it could be the garden of Joseph of Arimathea in which Jesus was buried after his crucifixion. It is maintained by an independent British charitable trust, The Garden Tomb Association." Much of the Christian world believes he was buried in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher - in the old city but supporters of the Garden Tomb feel it's a "fit" to all the New Testament descriptions in regards to His being buried and then His resurrection. The guide was part of this organization and he did a wonderful job explaining why this site is the greatest possibility. I think there have been statements by our Prophets expressing their feelings that this could be the actual location of His death, burial and resurrection. But as the tour guide emphasized....in the end it doesn't really matter where it took place the important thing to you and I is that IT did take place. To that tomb, on Sunday morning, came the two Mary's then Peter and John to discover it empty. Mary Magdalene was the first to encounter the risen Lord. The Angel said, "He is not dead, He is risen."
We hope you feel a small part of our experience and that when you come to this Holy Land that you too will be touched as we have.
We love you.
Bob and Sue
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