Welcome back to our virtual tour in Jerusalem. Today we will be descending down the Mount of Olives and into the Kidron Valley. As we travel by foot down the staircase to the small windy road that leads down the mountain, our expansive view of Jerusalem begins to narrow and we become a part of the Israel story. The steep decline and worn out stepping stones on the walkway causes us to think about every step we take and all the steps of those who have gone before us. We become a part of the narrative of generations past.
The ancient Mt. of Olives cemetery. (ivarfjeld.com)
Walking down the steep slope of the mountain, we pass on our left the oldest Jewish cemetery in the world. It has been in use since the 1st Temple Period and continues in use until today. There are an estimated 150,000 graves on the Mount, including tombs traditionally associated with Zechariah and Avshalom (Absalom). Important rabbis from the 15th to the 20th centuries are also buried here. Among them are R. Abraham Isaac HaCohen Kook, the first Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel, and one of my favorite rabbis of all time. Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin asked to be buried on the Mount of Olives near the grave of two of his underground fighters from the War of Independence, who were executed by the British during the war.
Directly across from us, we can see the double arched entry to the Temple Mount, known as the Eastern Gate, Beautiful Gate, Golden Gate, or the Gate of Mercy (Sha’ar Harachamim). This gate was closed up by the Muslims and then they built a cemetery just in front of it. In both Jewish and Christian tradition, Messiah is supposed to enter Jerusalem through that gate. By placing a cemetery in front of it, Messiah would become ritually unclean by passing through it. It will be interesting to see how God manages to hurdle that situation so that prophecy can be fulfilled.
As we approach the halfway point down the mountain, we enter a beautiful courtyard of a property owned by the Franciscan church. The name of the church is called Dominus Flavit, Latin for the Lord wept. As we look at the view to the Temple Mount from the courtyard, we can see the Kidron Valley just in front of us and some of the ancient graves from the Jewish Cemetery climbing towards us up the mountain. The Kidron Valley is also known as the Valley of Jehosephat. This is the valley that King David went through on his way up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he left Jerusalem. There is another story of one who wept over Jerusalem, but this time from the New Testament.
The Golden Gate (magdalenepublishing.org)
”And when he [Jesus]came near the foot of the Mountain of Olives, all the disciples with loud voices gave praise to God with joy, because of all the great works which they had seen; Saying, A blessing on the King who comes in the name of the Lord; peace in heaven and glory in the highest. And some of the Pharisees among the people said to him, Master, make your disciples be quiet. And he said in answer, I say to you, if these men keep quiet, the very stones will be crying out. And when he got near and saw the town, he was overcome with weeping for it, Saying, ‘If you, even you, had knowledge today, of the things which give peace! But you are not able to see them. For the time will come when your attackers will put a wall round you, and come all round you and keep you in on every side, And will make you level with the earth, and your children with you; and there will not be one stone resting on another in you, because you did not see that it was your day of mercy.’ And he went into the Temple and put out those who were trading there, saying to them, ‘It has been said, My house is to be a house of prayer, but you have made it a hole of thieves.’ And every day he was teaching in the Temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the rulers of the people were attempting to put him to death; but they were not able to do anything, because the people all kept near him, being greatly interested in his words.” (Luk 19:37-48)
Yes, not only King David cried over the city of Jerusalem, but Jesus did, as well. He then went on to give a prophecy of its future destruction and entered into the city, teaching at the Temple. This happened in the last week of Jesus’ life. And if you were here and could look over the railing and into the cemetery, you would see many broken gravestones. Look at the verse above where Jesus wept…”the very stones would cry out.” I can’t help but think that he might have been talking about these stones. He so often used the nature and surroundings around him to make a point.
Dominus Flavit chapel designed by Antonio Barlucci. (israeladvantagetours.com)
If we turn around we will see the small little chapel, built by Antonio Barlucci in the 20th century. He built it in the shape of a teardrop, in commemoration of the tears that Jesus wept over the city. Some interesting facts about this church are that it was built over the ruins of a previous Byzantine church and the view from inside faces west. This is contrary to most churches that face east. But Barlucci understood that the story of the church was Jerusalem and therefore, the church would face Jerusalem. This is a powerful place with a powerful story. Please do come to Jerusalem and see for yourselves!
Next time, we will continue down the Mount of Olives to the Garden of Gethsemane.
See you then. L’Hitraot!
