Israel 2022 - Reflection #26 - The Temple Mount - Jerusalem

 

This is a MODEL of the Temple and how it would have looked in the first century. The first Temple, built by Solomon was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC and the second Temple was built 70 years later. That temple was added to by King Herod and eventually completely destroyed not to be rebuilt until Jesus second coming. We don't know a lot of the specific details as the Muslims do not allow archaeological excavation at this site. The gate in the lower part of the picture is the Golden Gate, the Eastern Gate, or the Mercy Gate. 

We finally made it . . . . . . .  JERUSALEM!!!!!!!!

We have traveled all over the country of Israel but now, the last leg of our journey would focus on Jerusalem. There was so much to see and so much to do and my senses were on overload trying to piece together what this place was like when Jesus walked these streets and eventually died here for all mankind.

We entered via the Dung gate. This gate was used to remove the ashes and the dung from the animals sacrificed at the Temple. We walked past the Western Wall or as we know it the "Wailing Wall" and entered into the Temple Mount area. 

{Confession, I really had no idea this area is controlled by the Muslims. I later found out this has been true for over 1300 years. So, I am a little slow!}

 As I read the rules for this area, there is a strict dress code for modesty. A few of our group members were called out for their "inappropriate" dress and they had to wear these sac-cloth type garments. I wanted to take pictures so bad but also wanted to spare their dignity. LOL!

I was fascinated that the Jews really do not come here. That really surprised me, because inside the Mosque, THE DOME OF THE ROCK, is the exact place on Mount Moriah, where Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac. This is such a key moment in the Jewish faith. But, since it is run by the Muslims, and there is much debate about the location of the original Temple, they will trek to the Western Wall, their holiest site, but no further. 

I was most fascinated by the Eastern gate, also known as the Mercy Gate, or by Christians as the GOLDEN GATE. 

The gate, pictured below, is also known as the Shushan Gate. Although it has been closed for hundreds of years, this is the place, referred to in Leviticus 16:6-10, where the SCAPEGOAT would be released to the wilderness:

'“Aaron will present his own bull as a sin offering to purify himself
and his family, making them right with the Lord . Then he must
take the two male goats and present them to the Lord at the
entrance of the Tabernacle. He is to cast sacred lots to determine
which goat will be reserved as an offering to the Lord and which
will carry the sins of the people to the wilderness of Azazel.
Aaron will then present as a sin offering the goat chosen by lot
for the Lord . The other goat, the scapegoat chosen by lot to be
sent away, will be kept alive, standing before the Lord. When it
is sent away to Azazel in the wilderness, the people will be
purified and made right with the Lord. ' Leviticus 16:6-10 https://my.bible.com/bible/116/LEV.16.6-10

Ironically this gate is also the nearest gate to the Mount of Olives and would most certainly have been used by Jesus riding his donkey to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. 

I think Matthew records the majesty of this event the best:
'As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the
town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on
ahead. “Go into the village over there,” he said. “As soon as you enter
it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them
and bring them to me. If anyone asks what you are doing, just say,
‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will immediately let you take them.”
This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said, “Tell the people of
Jerusalem, ‘Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding
on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt.’” The two disciples did as
Jesus commanded. They brought the donkey and the colt to him and
threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it. Most of the crowd
spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches
from the trees and spread them on the road. Jesus was in the center of
the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, “Praise
God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the
name of the Lord ! Praise God in highest heaven!” The entire city of
Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked.
And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in
Galilee.” 'Matthew 21:1-11https://my.bible.com/bible/116/MAT.21.1-11

To think about this being the place where Jesus began his march to the cross, the place where our sins were atoned for, not by a scapegoat, but by the only Son of God is so powerful. 

Since the beginning of time, this was God's plan to save us and bring us into right relationship with him. This temple area, the thriving town of Jerusalem, the birth of Jesus a few miles away, were all part of the plan of the Creator of the Universe. He put this plan together for one reason, he loves us. He put this plan together for all people, all nations, Jew and Gentile. I was so humbled to be physically at such a key place in revelation of God's plan. 

Entering the Dung gate into the old city - Jerusalem.

Entering the Temple Mount area.

The Temple mount area is such a large area. Underneath this location is a mosque that can contain several thousand worshippers. 

The Dome of the Rock. Such a beautiful Mosque was allegedly built over the rock where Abraham went to sacrifice Isaac. It is also a key holy site of the Muslims.

The Mount of Olives as seen from inside the walls of Jerusalem's Temple Mount.