Jesus wept when he saw Jerusalem

View of Jerusalem from the Church of Dominus Flevit

We had a very early start, leaving our hotel at 8am. Today was the opportunity to visit some of the key Christian sites in Jerusalem. Thankfully, it was a warm sunny day, with little wind and blue skies – perfect.

  

We were to follow the route Jesus took on Palm Sunday when he entered Jerusalem to the adoration of the crowds. We drove to the top of the Mount of Olives, to the Church of the Ascension. Then we set off walking down the steep road towards the kidron valley, stopping off at the Church of the Pater Noster, where Jesus taught the disciples to pray, Dominus Flavit, where Jesus saw the view above and wept over Jerusalem. Onwards again to the garden of gethsemane and the Church of all Nations.

Then back on the coach for a drive through East Jerusalem, to a falafel shop where we stopped for a wonderful falafel sandwich.

Refreshed, we embarked on the second part of the day, the route of the Via Dolorosa, the way of sorrows. We started at the Bethesda Church where Jesus healed the paralysed man, then along the 14 stations of the cross, ending at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It is a busy route through the old market.

It was a moving experience walking in the steps of Jesus and seeing so many of the places that we read in the Bible.

We were back at the hotel just in time to meet Sami Awad, from the Holy Land Trust. He talked to us about peace and justice in the Holy Land. As we drive around and see signs of the conflict - the separation wall, the checkpoints, the soldiers, we cannot help but weep over Jerusalem today. 

Bethlehem at night

Bethlehem is alive at night. From the call to worship coming from the mosque in the early hours, to the dogs barking and children crying. Everyone seems so close - it is a crowded city. Breakfast is at 6:30am this morning, and a bit of a struggle with a 2 hour time difference. Feels just like 4:30am.

We have a busy day in Jerusalem today so I will write later about that.

We have arrived in Bethlehem

Our guest house in Bethlehem

We gathered at the Church at 5:15am in darkness. Everyone was there, all 26 excited to be starting on our adventure. Right on time the coach appeared and we eagerly boarded to set off for Luton Airport. The checking in all worked fine and gave people ample time for a hearty breakfast. At 9am we took off, heading for Tel Aviv. The flight time was nearly 5 hours and the weather looked really good as we came in to land. Airport procedures were minimal and we emerged to meet up with Bishara, our guide, and Achmed, our driver.

As we drove towards Jerusalem, Bishara started to explain. For those new to the Holy Land, it seems very complicated. Over the next few days we will get the opportunity to experience and hear more. The drive took about one hour. We skirted Jerusalem and drove into Bethlehem. The checkpoint3 and 8 metre wall were a shock to those new to the West Bank. Darkness falls as we arrive at our guest house - St Vincents.

After finding our rooms, we gather for a wonderful evening meal, followed by Compline. Finally we get to bed, having been told we have breakfast at 6:30am and leave on our first day’s visits at 8am. So much to see and do.

Back to the Holy Land

A group of people from St Johns are going to The Holy Land on 12th-21st February 2016. The trip is being organised for us by Worldwide Christian Travel and led by Embrace the Middle East. 

We will be publishing a daily blog on the Kairos Crowthorne blog. 

Kairos Britain has kindly offered to post highlights of our trip on the Kairos Britain website. 

School Bus for Jordan Valley Children

In March 2014, I visited the community at Al Samra and saw the school under construction. I heard what it meant to that community to have somewhere they could educate their children. And today I read that the school was demolished in August 2015. So, so sad. We will be visiting Jordan Valley Solidarity during our pilgrimage and hope to hear the latest news.