Israel Team Update, Oct. 22

Monday was an influential day in our hearts as we relived the events of our Lord and Savior from after the arrest in the garden until His last words on the cross.  Our weather was beautiful and we started the day at the house of Caiaphas where Jesus was believed to have been held overnight by the religious authorities deep in the ground in an old cistern where only the worst offenders would have been imprisoned.  Outside in the courtyard stood a statue with Peter and a rooster symbolizing his denial of Christ three times that same night.

We then looked forward to the crucifixion and visited the Garden Tomb where we were able to walk inside an ancient burial cave and see how Christ’s body would have been laid and what Mary and the apostles would have seen when they came back to find only his garments remaining.  Outside in the colorful courtyard garden seated in a quaint white chapel, Jim Flye officiated communion and we partook of His body and blood and celebrated Love for our Savior through song and prayer.

In the afternoon we retraced Christ’s steps through the Via Dolorosa from the Judgment Hall of Pilate to the cross.  As our pilgrims made their way through the crowded streets of the Old City market carrying a large 6’cross, we pondered the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual conditions of our Lord as he was beaten by the Romans, mocked by the crowds, helped from Simon and consoled by the women along that Way of Tears.

Our day ended with worship outside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher as we circled together and recalled His last words upon the cross and his death which redeemed the sin of the world.  Praise be to our Lord Jesus Christ.