FRIDAY . . . Finally Jerusalem!!

Mt of Olives – This is the last place that Jesus’ feet touched on this earth before He left and it is going to be the first place He touches when He returns. Why here? As I stand at the top and look down over the garden of Gethsemane and across the Kinneret Valley to the Eastern Gate, I’ve heard that the closeness of this geography was intriguing and it really is. As the crow flies, it can’t be more than a mile from Mt of Olives to the Eastern Gate with the Garden in middle. Even as we entered the city last night, the song, “Worthy is the Lamb, seated on the throne; we crown You now with many crowns; You reign victorious; High and lifted up, Jesus, Son of God; the Darling of heaven crucified; Worthy is the Lamb; Worthy is the Lamb” keeps playing over and over in my head. I found myself humming it as we walked down from the Mt of Olives to the Garden.

But then as we made our way down, the distractions were overwhelming. Intensely hard to overlook. Everywhere you go, there are Arabs selling Christian postcards, bookmarks, trinkets of all sorts. I found myself completely understanding Jesus and the temple scene where He overturned the tables. How this scene must grieve the Father’s heart. These people don’t even understand what they are selling. Just trying to make a sheqel. Coming down the mountain was very, very hard on my knees. Between the physical and the mental distractions, I began to wonder what God was thinking bringing me here. The amount of people being “herded” through the gates of the garden, I found it completely impossible to concentrate and hear any voice much less the “still-small Voice”. Then we were given some time on our own. I sat in a corner and watched the people running around and became very sad that the significance of this site seems to be lost in the chaos of the moment. Sad to say, this will not the first time I encounter this feeling on this trip. This will be a frequent battle of my mind – to hear and see God in the chaos of people revering a site more holy than what or more importantly Who the site represents.

From journal as I sat in the corner: Savior, I don't want to miss what You have for me today. But it is just so hard to hear anything above the distractions. Please show me Your glory. I trust Your hand. I know You brought me here. Focus my eyes on You.

I then look up . . . and there is the Eastern Gate. Right there. I feel I could reach out and touch it. Again, I’m overwhelmed at the proximity in closeness that the Eastern Gate is. As Christ is praying for God’s will in His last days on earth, He is able to see the gate that signifies what the future holds.

We welcomed in Shabbot (sabboth) at the Wailing Wall. How awesome that was to watch. It’s overwhelming to watch the devotion but also to realize that there is an entire nation living in darkness because they don’t realize Jesus is Y’shua. Shabbot begins at sundown Friday and ends at sundown Saturday. As we had opportunity to pray and just to “take it all in” we also had the rare opportunity to watch a younger generation celebrate Shabbot. As they walked through the plaza before approaching the wall, they were joyous and passionate. It was such a joy to see the passion for their God displayed on their faces and in their passionate worship of Jehovah. It was incredible to witness.