Jerusalem Underground
Tonight, we got to explore the underside of Jerusalem...or at least the tunnels that run the length of the Western Wall. The excavations here were very controversial when they took place, as some feared there was going to be tunneling under the Temple Mount/Dome of the Rock. But the tunnels today run the length of the wall, where you can see the stones that made up the foundation wall of Herod's Temple. The stones are huge, and one weighs 300 tons alone. It was very cool to walk in this area, to squeeze through narrow passageways and to touch the stones that have been there for so very long. In one place, the natural stone had been "dressed" to look like stones laid in place, just so that the appearance was all the same. We saw Herodian-era streets, cisterns, arches and chambers. Underneath the present city of Jerusalem lies the past city of Jerusalem, the city that Jesus knew. And it's all still there.
While we were there, a bride and her maid of honor pushed past us. When we got down the ways a bit further, we saw her praying at the wall, and pictures were being taken. Not sure if there was a wedding going on down in the tunnels, or perhaps out at the exposed part of the wall itself, or if these were just the pre-wedding pictures. But prayer was obviously an important part of her wedding day. So it should be for all of us.
One thing that happened tonight highlights the tensions that still exist in this land of the Bible. When we went to get into the tunnels, our guide presented our ticket/pass, and was told it would be five minutes. Then, he was given a time, and when we showed up at that time, they turned us away, made us wait for another ten minutes. He shared with our bus captain that this has happened to him before. He's an Arab Christian, and although he is a native of Jerusalem, as is his family, he is still not always welcome here. It is a part of the life here that "the wall" is not the only thing that divides people.
Tonight, a great dinner after we got back, and tomorrow...back to the Old City as we trace the stations of the cross, remembering Jesus' sacrifice for us all.
While we were there, a bride and her maid of honor pushed past us. When we got down the ways a bit further, we saw her praying at the wall, and pictures were being taken. Not sure if there was a wedding going on down in the tunnels, or perhaps out at the exposed part of the wall itself, or if these were just the pre-wedding pictures. But prayer was obviously an important part of her wedding day. So it should be for all of us.
One thing that happened tonight highlights the tensions that still exist in this land of the Bible. When we went to get into the tunnels, our guide presented our ticket/pass, and was told it would be five minutes. Then, he was given a time, and when we showed up at that time, they turned us away, made us wait for another ten minutes. He shared with our bus captain that this has happened to him before. He's an Arab Christian, and although he is a native of Jerusalem, as is his family, he is still not always welcome here. It is a part of the life here that "the wall" is not the only thing that divides people.
Tonight, a great dinner after we got back, and tomorrow...back to the Old City as we trace the stations of the cross, remembering Jesus' sacrifice for us all.
Comments
Post a Comment