...In a Large Upper Room Furnished



Pic of the Post: Old City Street


With only a few days left, the field-trips have been been centered on the latter end of the Saviors life and the important events that occurred around that time. It's usually a rare occurance when we are able to physically sit/stand where Christ undoubtedly had walked because of the controversy on specific sites. But, the steps of the south end of the Temple Mount are one of the few where scholars agree that in order to enter Herod's Temple, one would have to have walked up the steps and into the three-arched walkway. After having a spiritual devotional while sitting on the steps, we were given the rest of the time to walk around and think about the many times Jesus would visit the temple and teach within the outer courtyard. It's humbling to know that we literally walked where He walked.




The southern wallof the Old City, Al-Aqsa Mosque

 We visited the Western Wall one more time to welcome in the Shabbat with our Jewish brothers and sisters. What a privelege to see their devotion and comittment to worshipping God. For them, the temple truly was the focus of their lives, but even though it has been absent for 2000 years, they still continue to draw close to it, albeit the only remaining wall of the past Temple Mount. I hope that I can have that same desire to visit the temple.

Then we had the treat to walk back to the JC (we usually take vans) which meant a unique opportunity to snap some nightime pictures of the architectural lighting of the JC. Years ago, in 2000, the city asked the Jerusalem center to incorporate the lighting for an important celebration and it's been the same since. Doesn't look too bad!

One of the priviledges of being in Jerusalem involves special firesides that have a little more spiritual meaning, due to the backdrop of the city. A wonderful Upper Room program was put together for the students and faculty that involved a few brief remarks, the reading of John 13-17, and a few musical numbers. What a profound experience to sit and listen to the Savior's words to his disciples while gazing on a triclinium table style that would have been used at the Last Supper. Never before have His adjurations and teachings had more meaning and impact. Despite His knowledge of the events that were to occur just a few hours in the future, He took time to teach his beloved apostles. It was from this time that He implored them to "Love one another, as I have loved you," and "Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." Surely there is a lesson to be learned from this sacred time He spent with his disciples. He will take time to teach us if we accept to dine with Him. But, the decision is left unto us, but undoubtedly He waits for us to come and find him---where He sits in a large upper room furnished.