Jerusalem Approaches

Impression Report 3

Jerusalem Approaches

9/20/13

by Andrew Sharp

[with a few notes and corrections by Alana]

            In this field study we looked at the different approaches to Jerusalem, and it's surrounding geography. We started at a look out point north east of the city where we could see some of the landmarks; the temple mount and mount of olives in particular were close and easily visible. While we were here we also looked at an old family tomb, as likely would have been the style of tomb Jesus was put in. These tombs often had large rolling stones as their doorway, just like is mentioned in Scripture. Inside they would have some form of table area where the body could be laid, and individual kokhs (spelling?). Or small tunnels into the rock built for the bodies to be 

placed into once they were properly prepared. Jesus wasn't properly prepared, something attested to in Scripture by both the quickness of his being placed in the tomb, in preparation for Shabbat, but also by the need for the women to carry spices to his tomb after the Shabbat was over. The spices were for his body's preparation to be placed into one of these kokhs where his body would have decomposed to the point of being bones, then likely would have been put into an ossuary, a small stone box to hold his bones. But as we know, they found no body in the tomb when they arrived.

            Next we took the bus a bit further east where we could get out and see just how stark of a contrast a rain shadow can be. On one side of the hill, green, on the other, brown. We were able to barely see the dead sea as well.

            Moving south onto the mount of olives, we stopped and looked over all the tombs on the hillside. This also gave us one of our best first looks at the eastern wall of the temple mount. Or at least the first good view we've had where we could see all of it at once.

            Next we walked down to the Necropole, [at Dominus Flevit] aka house of really old bones. And I don't recall for sure, but I think Vernon said the most ornate one was thought to be the Ossuary of James, brother of Jesus, and that Gabbi believes it's the real thing. [??]

Walking down the Mount of Olives

In the church at Dominus Flevit

            Garden of Gethsemane! Yup, we went there. Had some really old olive trees. Maybe close to a thousand. Super old, hollow. Vernon told us how it was likely that the garden was more likely something of an industrial complex for the production of olive oil. After all, it's the mount of olives. And he pointed out the likely hood of there being caves, and many people who could have been in this garden/complex. Making it necessary for Judas to point out Jesus to his captors. After all, saying “a jew on the mount of olives” would have left them with quite a few choices, not just 10 or 15. We also checked out the church on site. Dimly lit, filled with pictures of Jesus praying for the cup to be taken from him, tall pillars, alabaster windows that let light in through cross shapes, beautiful place.

            Then we got lunch. And ate ice cream.

            Then Sataf! West of Israel. Where I had a son named Eric, a real good man, and my wife and I married him off to Mike and Havvah's daughter Hannah. While we played in the terra rosa soil, discussed family life, and how it'd be super hard to keep a cave or stone house warm in the winter. And how the agricultural land was a lot of hard work. Requiring years for terracing, and requiring rain fall and God's blessing just to get by. As well as the danger of childbirth. Plus there were grape vines and walnuts and almonds being grown, it was pretty cool.

Us under Herodian

            Next we went to the Herodium. 

Got some interesting pictures, in particular of a doorway that seems to have had part of the crossbeam supporting it, removed. Alana suggested it may have been made of wood and in order to preserve the building they put in some concrete and rebar in the stone blocks above where the wood beam once sat, and never replaced the wooden beam, leaving doorways that looked like fat letter T's. Plus we went into the tunnels carved out below it, and could see Jerusalem from there, barely, kind of sorta. And giant round rocks that would have been rolled down onto enemies attempting to scale the fortress. 

And last we wen to the shepherds field.

[After leaving the church we stopped at a nearby store - our drive knew the owners, of course.  They had a lovely sign... 

...and some truly lovely olive wood carvings.  We rather liked this triclinium version of the last supper:]