The multi-arched BYU Jerusalem Center (aka \u201cthe Mormon University\u201d) on Mount Scopus, as seen from across the Kidron Valley (the King James Bible\u2019s \u201cbrook Cedron\u201d), with the tower of the Augusta Victoria Hospital on the ridge to the right. \u00a0(Wikimedia Commons)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
We were up early as usual.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
First, we went to the Jerusalem Archaeological Park, which sits at the south end of Herod\u2019s temple platform. \u00a0It\u2019s a marvelous site, not least for the excellent little museum or display with which the visit always begins. \u00a0We walked through the ruins of the old Umayyad governor\u2019s palace (from the early Islamic period) over to the first-century stairs that once led up onto the temple mount through the Huldah Gates. \u00a0This was, with a high degree of probability, a place where Jesus and his disciples walked whenever they were in Jerusalem. \u00a0We also saw what\u2019s left of \u201cRobinson\u2019s arch\u201d and one of the main streets of the first-century city.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then we continued on to the Western Wall (or Wailing Wall). \u00a0The crowds were uncharacteristically sparse, but I was delighted to see a group of Turkish Muslim women, in hijabs, at the women\u2019s portion of the Wall, the most sacred place in the entire Jewish world. \u00a0I have never, ever<\/em>, seen Muslims at the Western Wall.<\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
After lunch, we visited the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, the attractive modern Catholic church that marks the traditional location of Caiaphas\u2019s palace, the place where Jesus made his appearance before the Jewish leadership just before his crucifixion. \u00a0Like every decent and well-equipped private home, this one was furnished with subterranean dungeons, which are still fully intact. \u00a0Jesus may have been imprisoned in one of them.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
From St. Peter\u2019s, we drove to BYU\u2019s magnificent and magnificently-situated Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies. \u00a0It\u2019s always fun to go back to this place where we once lived, which has a very unique spirit and a wonderful view.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
And then we concluded with time at the Garden Tomb, adjacent to Gordon\u2019s Calvary. \u00a0I\u2019m currently inclined to believe that Gordon\u2019s Calvary may be the right spot. \u00a0I\u2019m convinced that the Garden Tomb isn\u2019t. \u00a0But it\u2019s a calm, quiet, and beautiful spot, a good place to reflect on the atonement and the resurrection of Christ. \u00a0They were having a special \u2014 first-time \u2014 open house for the sites in the neighborhood, and, before we left it, the Garden Tomb area (which was otherwise unusually quiet and free of crowds) began to be thronged with local Muslims who were visiting. \u00a0I have never seen Muslims there before, and I was very pleased.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
After dinner, we headed to the airport, where most of our people prepared to board flights, while my wife and I caught a taxi to Tel Aviv.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
And thus ends another year\u2019s tour of Israel. \u00a0We\u2019re slated to do it once more, next year<\/a>. \u00a0After that, we\u2019ll see.<\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Posted from Tel Aviv, Israel<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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