Hello! Technically I came to Jerusalem for the marathon, but in my heart I came for another reason – I wanted to see and touch and smell and feel where Jesus walked. And today I did that.
Our tour guide took us to The Old City and we entered through the Jaffa Gate. There is so much history in every single little piece of the Old City I can’t recap it all here, but I’ll share some notes.
The Old City is a small section within Jerusalem. It used to be the entire city up until about 1860. Inside this walled area there are several very important religious sites for Jews, Christians and Muslims.
One of the things I was most interested in seeing was the Stations of the Cross or what the Jewish call Via Dolorosa. It is a street in the Old City with the 14 stops it is believed Jesus made on the way to his crucifixion. I learned a lot about this in school and being there was something I can’t put in words.
This is one of the stops – they are all labeled with a plaque.
These steps lead up to the place were Jesus was nailed to the cross. The bedrock the cross was stuck in is still thought to be there and you can knee down in one small area and touch it.
I also saw burial tombs similar to the one Jesus would have been buried in, it was a lot smaller than I pictured. It’s just enough room for one person carved out of the side of a rock in a mountain.
From there we continued walking through the Old City and came to the Western Wall.
The men and women are separated here. There were a lot of people praying at the wall.
You can stick prayers on a little paper into the wall, so I wrote one and stuck it in.
I was a very special experience for me. I really tried to take it all in and remember everything about it. I never really thought I’d go to Israel someday and see for myself the places Jesus walked. I’m just very grateful for this experience.
After the tour of the Old City we headed to dinner. I didn’t get a lot of pictures, but these are the highlights…
I really want to go to Ireland and Italy. Top of my list!
It is so great to see these pictures. I helped my grandma with tour groups in Israel, Greece & Egypt from the ages of 17-21. I’m so very grateful for those amazing trips being a Midwest girl from Indiana. It changed the way I read the Bible, as I could picture the areas so much more clearly. It really strengthened my faith. My favorite was Masada, did you get a chance to see that? The Dead Sea was super cool. Thank you for sharing your adventures!
What an awesome experience. Jerusalem is on my list for places to visit for the same reason. I’m sure being in the place where Jesus Himself walked was surreal! Your photos were amazing!
What an awesome experience for you!!
wow. what an awesome experience! you will never forget this!
What an experience. congrats.
My bucket list has long since been checked off and new added. (I love traveling!) Currently my must visit place is Patagonia. This Israel trip looks amazing. It is life-changing to visit places with so much importance to us and history.
I absolutely must see France at some time in my life. I’ve always wanted to go. I’ve been to Italy and Spain, which were fantastic. I’d also loooove to visit Machu Picchu. I’m not eating a guinea pig though (although maybe I probably will) 🙂
What an amazing experience you’ve had! I would absolutely love to visit Jerusalem and walk where Jesus walked. It must’ve been so surreal.
I walked the stations of the cross and left a prayer in the wall 15 years ago. I cried most of that day, I was so overwhelmed. I couldn’t believe I was where Jesus lived–and died. To this day when thinking or talking about it, I still cry. I’m so glad you had this opportunity and I think all Christians should visit once in their lifetime. You will never forget this experience.
This gives me goosebumps. My best friend went to the Holy Land last year, and she just glows when she talks about her experience. Profound.
I am in AWE! With passover being on Sunday and Easter within a week I cannot believe I am seeing such up close pictures of history and Jesus. Thanks for sharing!!! Can’t say it enough…I am moved. Take more and share….what an experience.
Not to take away from the religious aspect but what was that dessert in the last picture? It looked so interesting.
Glad you received such a wonderful and meaningful opportunity.
I am still a Hawaii/Alaska virgin. I really want to go to both places as well as Greece, Switzerland, Austria, Australia, New Zealand and Denmark/Sweeden
This fall I’ll be traveling to Vancouver and Banff Canada.
This is definitely something I want to do in my lifetime! What an awesome opportunity! Thanks for sharing.
What an AWESOME place to visit, especially just days before we mourn Jesus’s crucifixion and celebrate His resurrection!! Your pictures are really moving. Thanks for sharing 🙂
I want to go everywhere, specifically Germany, the UK, and Italy. I’m wary of going anywhere in the Middle East, though I’ve heard that Jerusalem is actually a very safe city, despite its location.
Going to Israel really brings your faith to life in a way that is impossible to describe – such an incredibly powerful experience!
If you have time, I would definitely suggest going to the Garden Tomb, which is just outside the Old City walls. It’s the place believed by many to be the site of the resurrection. My husband and I particularly appreciated that it’s focused on being a quiet, peaceful space for personal prayer and reflection, whereas many sites in the Old City are pretty crowded and busy.
Read more about it here:
http://www.gardentomb.com/
Yad Vashem (the Holocaust museum) is another site not to be missed:
http://www.yadvashem.org/yv/en/museum/index.asp
I have always wanted to go to Greece. I’ve traveled almost everywhere in Europe except Greece. I feel like it needs a special trip though with all the history there.
Honestly these photos of these holy places bring me to tears. What an amazing experience; especially as a Christian…to walk in these places, see these places, pray in these places. I’m thrilled for you!! Soak it all in. 🙂