Journey to Jerusalem

We have spent five days wandering around the ministry sites of Jesus Christ.  We saw the house Peter hosted our Saviour at Capernaum; spent time at two Synagogues that our master taught both his disciples and the crowd; visited the town Mary Magdalene came from; went to the site Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount; saw a house in Nazareth that Jesus may have spent his childhood in; had a Bible Study at the spot where Jesus asked Peter if he loved him, and another where Jesus asked his Disciples who they thought he was.  These sites warmed our hearts as we sought to grow more intimate with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  The Sea of Galilee area drew our spirits closer to our Messiah.

Now it is time to take a journey to Jerusalem.  Jesus would have visited Zion three times a year to take part in the feasts.  Ministry was done at Sea of Galilee, atonement was accomplished at the intensely religious city of Jerusalem.  Jesus knew when it was time to shed his blood.  He agonized about it and obediently went to Jerusalem so that we can be forgiven and have a relationship with our heavenly Father.  His grace is sufficient for me!  Now we are following the footsteps of Jesus, reliving the most important three days in the world’s history.

We met our guide for the day at Aroma coffee shop near Jaffa Gate of the old city.  Stan Goodenough is a believer in Christ who has been a tour guide for the last six years.  He did a tremendous job in recreating the Passion week and sharing how the land of Israel is in our past, present and future.  We overlooked the city at the Mount of Olives and were told what the city looked like 2000 years ago.  We went to the Garden of Gethsemane (which means oil press) where Jesus sweat blood and tears.  We entered the Church of All Nations which commemorated the event and the agonizing Jesus went through as he contemplated his next few hours.

We went to the Garden Tomb, a possible site of the crucifixion, burial and resurrection site of our Saviour.  It was not easy remembering what Jesus went through.  The tomb we went into was large and possibly owned by Joseph of Arimethea - the secret disciple who stepped up at the right time.  As Peter was denying Christ, Joseph was willing to donate his family tomb site for his Rabbi that he grew to love and respect.  A reminder for us to respond when God calls us to be part of His story.

We saw the pool of Bethsaida, the spot where a miracle healing took place in.  We went to a place called the Upper Room which could of looked similar to the same room where the Last Supper, foot washing and first communion took place.  We went to the Holy Selpucher, the other possible site for the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Jesus.  A site that five institutional churches are fighting to have control of the pilgrim site.  A muslim family holds the key for the holy site because the Christian denominations cannot agree on who would lock the doors.  2000 years later, religion, traditions and rules are still having a paralyzing effect on this city.

These sites are important for strengthening and growing in our friendship with Jesus.  But nothing is more important then the simple act of believing in Jesus.  Giving our lives to Christ so we can be forgiven of sins and experience the freedom of the Kingdom of God!

Mark Wurtz