Our Resurrection Adventure
Jerusalem offers many opportunities to celebrate the Resurrection of our Savior in a unique context. Many believers in the city gathered at the Garden Tomb for a sunrise service. This sounds great, but we didn't want to wrestle with the crowds of tourists so early in the morning.
After some thought and consideration (because its quite a hike!), we decided to go to the Mount of Olives. I had never been on the Mount of Olives before but have always wanted to visit because it is the place where Yeshua's feet will literally touch down upon His return. So, my loving husband took me on an adventure.
We walked down to the Old City from our apartment, then followed the Via Dela Rosa backwards to the Lion's Gate. We left the Old City, crossed over the Kidron Valley, and began the hike up the giant hill that is the Mount of Olives. On the way, we stopped and observed a giant Jewish Cemetery and then spent some time admiring the 2000 year old olive trees at the Garden of Gethsemane before finally reaching our destination.
With only a hotel and some viewing platforms, the top of the Mount of Olives isn't necessarily an exciting place, although the view of the Old City is spectacular.
Anytime I view the Mount of Olives from Jerusalem, and even that day while we were on its 'sumit,' I find it awe inspiring to know that it is the place where Yeshua left the earth when He ascended into Heaven, and it is the place He will return when He comes back.
At the top of the Mount, Devin and I found a place to sit and opened our bible to Zechariah 14:
We walked to the North a little so we could have a better view of the Eastern Gate.
The Eastern Gate is the closest in proximity to the Mount of Olives and has been sealed by the Muslims for about 2000 years, likely fulfilling the words of Ezekiel 44: 1-3. Many believe it is the gate Yeshua entered during the processional of His Triumphal Entry. It is also believed that this is gate He will enter Temple Mount through when He returns.
As we were viewing the gate, a Modern Orthodox tour group stopped at the viewing platform in front of us. The tour guide explained the same passage from Zechariah that we had read just a few moments before. Devin interpreted his Hebrew for me, but I was able to feel the passion this man had when talking about his Messiah without my husband's help. May his eyes be opened to know it is Yeshua!
As we gazed upon Jerusalem, we prayed for the calling on our marriage and for the salvation of Israel. We praised the Lord for His resurrection so that we might know Him and His father, and that He will one day soon return.
*I'd just like to note that we forgot our camera that day so I googled and found some images of the things we saw. I think the story is better with photos!
Related Post:
Celebrating the Resurrection in Israel
After some thought and consideration (because its quite a hike!), we decided to go to the Mount of Olives. I had never been on the Mount of Olives before but have always wanted to visit because it is the place where Yeshua's feet will literally touch down upon His return. So, my loving husband took me on an adventure.
We walked down to the Old City from our apartment, then followed the Via Dela Rosa backwards to the Lion's Gate. We left the Old City, crossed over the Kidron Valley, and began the hike up the giant hill that is the Mount of Olives. On the way, we stopped and observed a giant Jewish Cemetery and then spent some time admiring the 2000 year old olive trees at the Garden of Gethsemane before finally reaching our destination.
With only a hotel and some viewing platforms, the top of the Mount of Olives isn't necessarily an exciting place, although the view of the Old City is spectacular.
Anytime I view the Mount of Olives from Jerusalem, and even that day while we were on its 'sumit,' I find it awe inspiring to know that it is the place where Yeshua left the earth when He ascended into Heaven, and it is the place He will return when He comes back. At the top of the Mount, Devin and I found a place to sit and opened our bible to Zechariah 14:
4 On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south...
8 On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half to the eastern sea and half to the western sea, in summer and in winter. 9 The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one LORD, and his name the only name.
We walked to the North a little so we could have a better view of the Eastern Gate.
The Eastern Gate is the closest in proximity to the Mount of Olives and has been sealed by the Muslims for about 2000 years, likely fulfilling the words of Ezekiel 44: 1-3. Many believe it is the gate Yeshua entered during the processional of His Triumphal Entry. It is also believed that this is gate He will enter Temple Mount through when He returns. As we were viewing the gate, a Modern Orthodox tour group stopped at the viewing platform in front of us. The tour guide explained the same passage from Zechariah that we had read just a few moments before. Devin interpreted his Hebrew for me, but I was able to feel the passion this man had when talking about his Messiah without my husband's help. May his eyes be opened to know it is Yeshua!
As we gazed upon Jerusalem, we prayed for the calling on our marriage and for the salvation of Israel. We praised the Lord for His resurrection so that we might know Him and His father, and that He will one day soon return.
*I'd just like to note that we forgot our camera that day so I googled and found some images of the things we saw. I think the story is better with photos!
Related Post:
Celebrating the Resurrection in Israel
Callie, what an awesome experience you are having. i can only imagine what you must have been feeling standing there reading from zechariah. i am really enjoying reading about your experiences. thank you for sharing it.
ReplyDelete-Jen Yancey
I love you and I love your Resurrection Life!
ReplyDeletexx