• Day 3 Saturday: Old Jerusalem
o Mt of Olives
Mt of Olives is located to the east of Jerusalem across from the Kidron Valley. A short 5 minute bus ride from our hotel. From the summit, one is afforded the most inspiring view of the city. Most of the recorded incidents associating Jesus with the Mount of Olives occurred in the Passion Week. The Second Coming of Jesus is described by Zechariah, when “His feet shall stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives” at which time the Mount will cleave in the midst forming a very great valley.
Looking across the Kidron Valley to the Old City of Jerusalem we were told that the Golden Gate, a double arched gate used by Christ to enter the temple mount from the Mt. of Olives, would be the gate to which the Savior would return when he comes again. To prevent his entry, the Arabs have sealed the gate closed and buried their dead at the foot of the gate. A burial ground would restrict the Jewish leaders from entry because of the unclean ground.
The Jewish population on the other hand believing that Christ will come and resurrect them have placed their dead on the east facing the temple mount believing that they will be the closest and therefore the first to partake of the resurrection.
Temple mount also houses the Muslim dome of the Rock and the Aksa Mosque, this being the place where Mohammed was taken up to heaven it is the 3rd most sacred place for the Muslim religion.
o Garden of Gethsemane
The Garden of Gethsemane is the place where Jesus often went to pray. It was the place of Jesus’ Agony, His betrayal, and arrest. The original area of Gethsemane must have been much larger for Jesus and His disciples to have found solitude there. The present garden contains 8 ancient olive trees; adjacent to the Garden is the Church of All nations in which is said to be the very rock by which Jesus prayed.
o Mt. Zion/ Upper Room/ David’s Tomb
Mt Zion is one of the most sacred places in Israel because the tomb of King David is thought to be located here. Above it is the Upper Room in which Jesus and His disciples ate the last Passover together and where he established the Sacrament. This is the room also considered to be the place where the 12 disciples gathered when the Holy Spirit came upon them on the Day of Pentecost.
o Jewish Quarter
o Cardo – a section of town that archeologist have discovered which show a main street that was once a well used shopping area for the people hundred’s of years ago.
o Broad Wall an archeological site that indicate this wall was built by King Hezikiah as a defensive wall to protect the city.
o Menorah
o Wailing Wall
