Oh Jerusalem. Oh how beautiful you are.
I hope I’m not sounding repetitive by now, but honestly, never have I felt more at home than in this Land. It seemed like a dream to be walking its streets.
My heart resounded with the cry of heaven as I walked in Jesus’ steps. Looking across from above the Mount of Olives (which is a cemetery by the way) and the Garden of Gethsemane, to the Temple, I realized, no wonder He spent so much time here. He longed to see His Father’s Kingdom come and what better place to pray it down than with the whole city in sight.
Down in the midst of the graves, a group of devout Jewish men hoarded around and prayed their hearts out before a tomb of a prophet, suspected to be Nehemiah. I witnessed this happen at David’s tomb and at what remained of the Temple Wall. They seemed desperate to hear from Yahweh.
If only they knew He was standing right in front of them, within reach, but they missed Him. It hurt my heart to see women weeping for salvation yet He was in right there, holding them, waiting for them to acknowledge Him. The evidence of bouncing off the walls, reverberating in every tunnel, singing love in every room.
Ending our crazy first day, we walked the path Jesus used for His Triumphal Entry, when the people blindly welcomed Him, stuck with the image of a King who would reign over them here on earth. His agenda was quite different. It felt like you could hear His voice breathe on the wind saying, “Children, come home.”
Entering in through the Dung Gate, it felt surreal walking into the Temple. We prayed down the fullness of His Spirit that night in the Upper Room. We were privileged with 20 minutes of undisturbed worship time, as the sun set over His city, declaring that His glory would fill His house once again. I left with more assurance of His power than ever before. What a day!
Lydia, you are spot on. I also was impressed with those at the wall waiting to hear from God. And their thinking their only way to talk to God was to write a note on a piece of paper and stick it in the wall. But as you pointed out, all they need to do is realize he is right in front of them with held out arms, waiting to embrace them. I also appreciate your insight in your seeing a God who is telling them “children come home”. And yes, the upper room was an experience I’ll never forget. It was incredible how the Spirit uplifted us all.
Love this, Lydia. I, too, was taken back looking across the cemetery to the city in 1999, when we were the first LFF church group to tour Israel. Unforgettable experience! Thank you for sharing your pictures and thoughts.
Beautiful, Lydia! It brought back wonderful memories of our time there in 2001. Love reading your heart. ❤️
Nancy