October 26, 2009

It was such a beautiful day on top of the Temple Mount! Seeing that Golden Dome up close actually touching it was a dream come true. I was so happy that the riots did not continue when we were there. It is crazy how one day it is peaceful up there, the next there is a riot, and then the day after that it is peaceful again, but plenty of Israeli soldiers making sure there is peace. Walking up there on the Temple Mount I realize that somewhere on top use to be the temple King Solomon built and then Herod's temple that he had rebuilt after King Solomon's temple was destroyed. So much history has happened up there. There has been war and destruction and then rebuilding again. It is great to know  that as Christ followers we do not need a temple to worship anymore, pray, ask forgiveness, or even sacrifice. We are free to worship anywhere, and know that we do not need a priest to go into the Holy of Holies. God had sent his perfect son to be the perfect lamb to be sacrificed for our sins so we no longer have to make a sacrifice to God.

Today we also went to the Western Wall (Wailing wall...Jews do not like that term). That was such an incredible experience...It was my 3rd time going to the western wall since we have been. The first two times I had gone on fridays at the beginnng of Shabbat, and then went today as an actual tourist with my camera ready. Going to the Western wall you notice the boys are on one side and the girls on the other. There is singing and dancing, praying, boys who are coming of age have their Bar Mitzvah at the Western wall. Lots of Jewish culture is represented at the Western wall. In my opinion it is as if they feel closer to God there at the Western wall because the Holy of Holies use to be there ontop of the Temple Mount. It is tradition to put your prayers inside the cracks at the Western Wall. What an emotional experience that was writing my prayer on my little piece of paper. I know that I am not closer to God because I prayed at the wall and stuck my prayer in a crack. I had a God moment being there praying to our wonderful creator. I get overwhelmed with his love for me. I absolutely love my moments with God.