Shavuot and Pentecost in Jerusalem

We were originally scheduled to head to view a World Vision project today.  As it turns out it is Shavuot (50 days after Passover - Originally a time of giving the first-fruits of harvest but also to commemorate the giving of the Torah to God's people ... Also the day of Pentecost for Christians) and there were going to be some protests along the area we were to travel to so we did a change up and came to Jerusalem.

Below is the Western (often called Wailing Wall) around 8am today awaiting the huge crowds that came to celebrate Shavuot.

Our guide likes to say, "The most difficult place to negotiate is the middle east, and the most difficult in the middle east is Israel, and the most difficult in Israel is Jerusalem."  You walk three minutes up a ramp to get to the "Temple Mount" (site of the Dome of the Rock) and then from there you proceed less than ten minutes to the path Jesus took to the cross.

Lunch was at Jacob's Pizza near the Jaffa Gate.  If you are in the area our group would highly recommend it; make sure you give the Feta Vegetarian a try!  Part of the trip is aimed at supporting Christian business people like Jacob - he is a cousin to the President of Bethlehem Bible College...It really is a small world over here!

If you ever wonder about the concept of forgiveness take another look at the life of Peter.  This sculpture puts his denial of Christ into great clarity.  Of equal clarity is the reinstatement we read about when Jesus gives him the charge to "feed my sheep" by the shores of Galilee after the resurrection.

And finally, coming from a place where road construction is constant during the non-winter months it is  almost inconceivable to think of a section of road that is 2000 years old.  I'm pretty sure the pot-hole kingdom of Winnipeg wouldn't have road remnants from the present 200 years from now!

If you really like this please send one dollar - not really but it appears that is the price for about half the items you can buy along the street!