We cruised from Port Said to the city of Haifa in Israel. This city is built into the side of the hills that come right down to the sea. As we approached, Jim went out on deck to watch. March 14th we docked at Haifa and spent two days touring Jerusalem and spent our last two nights on board ship. It was interesting to see the great contrast between the Jews and the Moselms. Our tour guide was Jewish and did not have the passion or reverence in the Holy Places of Jesus. On the bus trip to Jersalem we passed through the Negev. In bible days the Negev was called the wilderness but today the Israelis have transformed it, into beautiful farm land. Old Town Jerusalem is old, but trying to accommodate modern day automobile traffic. For the most part, it is a traffic nightmare!
Our anticipation was exciting; we were going to visit the Wailing Wall. First there was a security check point. One side was for men and the other for women, and never the twain shall meet. The men wearing black and with the long curls were called Hessidic Jews. Very high in their own importance as they crowded into the front, of the lines. It turns out that our tour was not allowed to go and touch the wall. We could only stand back and watch.
However, our guide took us instead inside a building off to the left of the Wall and gave us a tour thru the tunnel of the "Western Wall." Of course this was most interesting and there was a small portion of the back side of the Wailing Wall which we were encouraged to touch or to leave notes. This walk included periodic glass floors which exposed the depth of the walls below. Very full of history and thoughtfulness as we considered; Jesus had been there.
This tunnel passed by an ancient cistern that had been used by a nunnery as their own private swimming hole. We exited onto a shop lined passageway. Long, narrow and windy! The passage was fairly empty and the shops appeared to be closed. It wasn't until we came to the end and saw the signs that we realized we had just walked the Via Dela Rosa; Nothing was said to indicate that this is where Christ carried the cross; Nothing was said about the stations posted remembering each portion of the suffering Christ; Nothing was mentioned how he sacrificed all on our behalf. Nothing! When we realized where we were, we stopped and looked back the way we came and then it fully impacted us as to where we had just been and where we were standing.
"And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe upon Him and plaiting a crown of thorns, they
put it on His head and put a reed in His right hand. And kneeling before Him they mocked Him, saying; "Hail King of the Jews!" "And they spat upon Him and took the reed and struck Him on the head. And when they had mocked Him, they stripped Him of the robe and put His own clothes on Him and led Him away to crucify Him." Matthew 27:28-31 "And as they led Him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country and laid on him the cross, to carry behind Jesus. And there followed Him a great multitude of the people, and of women who bewailed and lamented Him." Luke 23:26-27" "So they took Jesus, and He went out bearing His own cross to the place called the place of a skull!" John 19:17a "They brought Him to the placed called Golgotha." Mark 15:22 Oh, my heart!
The Temple Mt is not much to look at because there is not much there. It is presently occupied by Islam and is covered with a golden dome which we were not allow to enter. The steps coming up to an ancient gate to this area, are still there. Christ taught from these steps! Some believe that Christ will return first to Jersualem and enter through this gate. The Muslims have sealed the Eastern Gate not realizing they are fulfilling prophesy! I sat down on the steps to ponder the presence of Christ, who had stood here so many years ago. What an experience! "I walked today where Jesus walked and felt His presence there!" By Jane Ann Crenshaw 9/24/09
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