DAILY JOURNAL #6

One of the most moving sites on this trip is the “pit” of the church of St. Peter of Galluctu. This is where Jesus was brought from the Garden of Gethsemane to the home of the High priest. He was probably lowered down a narrow shaft that opened up into a small area used as a cell. (See the photos of the mosaic depicting this.) As we stood in the cave-like space, I tried to imagine what it was like for Jesus –dark and isolated. Pastor Crisp read Isaiah 53 – I could not help to be moved. Many in the group cried. To visit here is to have a visual reminder of how the Lord Jesus must have suffered for us. We turned off the lights and were in total darkness. When we visit the pit it is warm, dry and lighted. It smells good. We are able to come and go as we choose. We are surrounded by friends and family. Jesus had none of this.

Next was a drive across town to the Shrine of the Book. After seeing Quamran where the Scrolls were found, now we get to see some of the actual scrolls, housed in this building that, architecturally, looks like a clay jar from the time of Jesus. God worked a special set of miracles to bring us His Word. Thousands of small miracles, all linked together to give us our Scripture today. We take it so for granted.

The Holocaust Museum is without description. Every Christian, no, every human being should see it. God calls the Jews, “the apple of His eye,” yet this happened. When we get to heaven we will have to ask God, “Why?”

We saw many other things today.