May 31 Jerusalem

Karilyn wrote a poem called, “Coming Home” which she declared as we drove.

COMING  HOME

Sing!

          Shout!

                       Laugh!

Cry in Jubilation!

For Israel is returning to her land.

Zion – Awake with joy

Dance for all your might!

The Lord is Calling,

                                 Calling,

                                                Calling you home.

Judah – stand.

You rise redeemed

Lift your hands and sing!

For Israel is returning to her land!

2 Chronicles 6:32-33 – Solomon’s prayer to God for foreigners was never more meaningful “Also concerning the foreigner who is not from Your people Israel, when he comes from a far country for Your great name’s sake and Your mighty hand and Your outstretched arm, when they come and pray toward this house, then hear from heaven,  from your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You, in order that all the peoples of the earth may know Your name, and fear You as do Your people Israel, and that they may know that this house which I built is called by Your name.” Lord, may Your people return home.

Our first stop in Jerusalem was at the Davidson Center where we watched a virtual 3-D reconstruction of the Temple Mount based on actual archaeological evidence. Then we walked through the ruins and observed the evidence! 

Flagging on the Southern Steps

On the Southern Steps of the Old City, we were finally in a place where we could be certain that Jesus had once walked. We filmed dancing and declaration. It is a great sadness to the Jewish people that not even one stone of the Temple itself remains as it was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD and now the Muslims have built The Dome of The Rock on the very spot. Every Jewish marriage ceremony recalls the longing for the Temple as the bride and groom symbolically crush a glass.

Schultz Family on the steps of the Temple Mount where Jesus would have walked!

As we neared the Western Wall of the Temple Mount and then as we walked in the streets of the Old City, we realized the fulfillment of Zechariah 8:5: “The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there.” Tomorrow is Jerusalem Day and already the streets are filled with school children and Birthright young adults. Jerusalem Day celebrates the 1967 liberation and reunification of Jerusalem which had been under Jordanian rule, now once more under Israeli rule. Great excitement was in the air! We shared quiet contemplative moments at the Western or Wailing Wall.

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School students rejoicing near the Western Wall

After which we walked through the famous Zion Gate, sang a couple of songs to some more students and continued on into the City of David. Another completely new experience awaited: a 45 minute historic trek through Hezekiah’s Tunnel complete with cool, refreshing water (over our knees at times!) “Singing and rejoicing, we bumped our heads and arms as we made our way under the city through to the light at the end of the tunnel where the Pool of Siloam pool was recently discovered.” Peter Firth

Hezekiah's Tunnel

During supper back at Psagot, we were joined by Chris Mitchell, CBN’s Bureau Chief for the Middle East. This amazing day ended with prayer for Chris and his family.