Not an Ordinary Day

A couple days ago, I took a morning visit to the Mount of Olives where there is a spectacular view of Jerusalem, including the Old City. Did I take pictures? No, because our battery was ruined by a charger and so, I cannot upload any pics for a bit. 

Anyways, I walked for the Mount of Olives observation point down a dirt un-beatean path in the midst of Olive Trees. It was kinda neat-- I was taking my own little adventure and no one was with me. Eventually I got to a wall, which was the back part of the Church of All Nations. I turned a corner and there was the entrance to the Garden of Gethsemane. Perfect! I walked through the Garden and read the verses about Jesus' agony in the garden. It was pretty amazing to think that I may have been walking in the trees where Jesus walked. Eight of the trees are over 2000 years old-- they're huge with multi-trunks. 

I walked through the garden and into the Church of all Nations and spent some time thinking and praying. Supposedly, the rock under the alter is where Jesus agonized. I'm not sure its accurate, but it was a great place to focus on Jesus and what it must have been like for him in the garden as he prepared for his death. 

At noon, the church closed, so I sat on the steps and stared at the gate on the old city where the Antichrist will come through. After staring at the gate, I decided to walk the Via Dolorosa or Way of the Cross, so I crossed the Street and entered the Old City through the Lion's Gate or St. Steven's gate. The walk of Jesus begins just inside this gate. 

Station 1- Where he was tried and condemned by Pointus Pilate. 

Station 2- Jesus is scourged and given the cross

Station 3- Jesus falls for the first time

Station 4- Mary Embraces Jesus

Station 5- Simon of Cyrene picks up the cross

Station 6- A woman wipes the face of Jesus

Station 7- Jesus falls for the second time

Station 8- Jesus addresses a woman in the crowd

Station 9- Jesus falls for the thrid time

Station 10- Jesus is stripped of his garments

Station 11- Jesus is nailed to the cross

Station 12- Jesus does on the cross

Station 13- Jesus is taken down form the cross

Station 14- Jesus is buried

The stations end at the Holy Sepulcher, but really the stations continue in our hearts! 

More to come later-- I visited the Pools of Bethesda where Jesus heals the lame man.