HERODYON - WESTERN WALL - POOL OF BETHESDA - VIA DOLOROSA - GARDEN TOMB

Well, ironic or not, today is my 500th post since I began the blog in 2008.

And ... the places we visited on THIS day definitely made THIS my favorite day of the Israel tour. Here were my personal highlights:

We began with a visit to Herodyon, the mountain which Herod the Great set his magnificent palace on, not far from Bethlehem. He artificially made this hill into a huge volcanic-shaped mountain by adding dirt and rocks and the like and then placing his huge castle on top. To be able to look down from this huge mountain and see Bethlehem not at all far away made the story of Herod demanding all the first born boys be killed so vivid. There lay Jesus, practically within stone-throwing distance of this mountain and palace. Very moving and powerful moment.

Next we re-visited Old Jerusalem and went to the famous Western (or Wailing) Wall. We had a chance to stand and watch and listen for many minutes while people stood there praying -- rocking -- reading the Torah. Little boys were being trained in their religion at this wall as well.

After lunch, we went to St. Anne's Church, which is next to the ancient Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus healed the man who had been ill for 38 years. It was my privilege and pleasure to share a devotional at this site for the group (pictured above with the Pool of Bethesda behind me).

We had a whirlwind afternoon, practically racing thru various Stations of the Cross, including a visit to the Church of the Agony, where Jesus was beaten by Roman soldiers and where He likely received the cross to carry. From there, we walked up the Via Dolorosa, where Jesus carried the cross on the way to Golgotha. An extremely narrow, ascending street, it features shopping on both sides - very possibly the same kind of commercial street as in Jesus' day.

Appropriately, this day ended in the Garden Tomb, located just next to the likely hill where Jesus and the two thieves were crucified. We had a time of communion together at this spot, and it was a fitting finish to a packed, emotional, meaningful day.

THIS IS THE EVENT that our faith is about. It's not about Jesus' teaching so much - not His doctrine - not what He did ---- more than anything, it is about THIS ONE EVENT that changed history and your life and mine.

And be blessed.