My Journey To Jerusalem The Gospel According To Terrence
In the Garden of Gethsemane--did this tree witness His travail?
by Terrence G. Clark Chapter Seven - Day 6
Midnight Cry at Gethsemane---Bethlehem A Room in The Cave
Dinner in Jerusalem was great. The dining room in the Grand Palace was laid out a little different than the Leonardo in Tiberius. Some of the same foods. A lot of the tour groups, we had brushed passed in our ventures along the way, had also made this their last stop. Although, there were some whose journey was beginning here.
Dawn, who I sat next to me on the plane, was from North Jersey. Conversation with her revealed we actually knew some of the same churches and ministries back home. Seeing her at various places created certain camaraderie. I was always sure to call to her when I spotted her. She didn’t answer a couple of times. I was trying to convince a young lady in her group that I knew her. I had gotten her name wrong. I sure hope Dawn is right.
It was dawn here in Israel’s capital city. The morning light out of the window only exposed buildings. Other than signs in Hebrew and Arabic, not too much different from a city in the States. I tried to gauge where I was, but at this point, useless. After prayer and meditation, I headed down to breakfast.
Chillier today than others, we were told to bring a jacket and perhaps an umbrella. I’m sure the higher elevation contributed to the temperature difference. Gauging the temperature was also interesting. Temps in the MiddleEast, as well as in a lot of the world, are measured in Celsius instead of Fahrenheit. I had been wearing sandals the entire trip with the exception of Caesarea and Jaffa. Partly for me, it was reminiscent of life in the old days, reminiscent of Jesus’ daily journeys. The other part because it was easy to just slip the sandals on and not have to tap into my limited sock supply.
Gershon had prompted us not to wear sneakers. The journey today and hereafter would be in the Old City. In sacred places, sneakers would not be permitted, neither improper attire for the women. Sandals would be fine if weather permitting. To avoid cold feet, I slipped on the loafers. A light breakfast for me with roasted veggies and eggs, some dainties to go with the coffee, and it was about time to go.
I already knew. Today would be a prophetic marker. A buoy in the ocean of eternity upon which I would forever visit. An opportunity would be presented to me, upon which I would always reflect. A short bus ride, really just up the street from where we were staying.
We were going to the Garden. The Garden of Gethsemane. Gershon had already explained several times Gethsemane is two words---- Gath Šmānê---meaning olive press or oil press. A priest opened the gate and let us in the entrance. The garden path twined around as Gershon led. It was beautiful, strewn with olive trees. The trees here were old. The newer ones transplanted from the same tree. Dating to the time, day, and hours that Jesus spent here---on a slope of the mountain bearing the name of the fruit from which oil is extracted.
This was time portal I'm sure. A wormhole joining eternity to those who would receive it. Connecting, the Garden of all trees---Eden, and the original sin, to this place. Connecting God's heart in Jesus, to every man's heart crying out for deliverance from Adam's curse.
“If there is any way for this cup to pass,” cried Jesus unto the Father.
There wasn’t---not to accomplish what he had come to do. My redemption---yours---all men who come. In His solitude and trust, he sighed to the Heavenly Father. “Let your will be done.”
If there was a possibility of God the Son separating in purpose from God the Father, it was here in the "Place of the Press." Prayer was the answer. The body that Jesus wore, caught a glimpse of the cross. His mind—soul caught a shadow of Calvary. His spirit held true, hence why He came to pray. As the night travailed His Father’s purpose led Him on.
Gershon gave the usual tour explanation and beyond the scenes expository. We were scheduled for service. We came to a mason and marble encirclement around, carved benches, a table or podium in the center. The peak of Mt. Olivet in full behind in view.
Pastor Jason shared out of the Word reading Matthew 26:36-46 encouraging us to follow the commitment of the Lord in our walk. It was then my turn. Not only had I believed God to go to Israel, before this side of the rapture, likewise, it was to sing upon the Mt. of Olives my signature song as a psalmist and prophet.
The Midnight Cry (Written by Chuck & Greg Day) is a prophetical song of the return of Jesus Christ in the rapture---1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. I have sung it all over---back yards, camp meetings, revivals, church services, secular events, Christian TV, radio, funerals and more.
The song is my trumpet sound---my shofar blast. I believe the Lord uses me to sing this song as a clarion call, from His Word and from earth---of what is soon to come. Notwithstanding, it is upon the Mt. Olives that Jesus returned into heaven—Acts 1:11. And, it is from where he is scheduled to return in His second coming—Zechariah 14:4
It's prophetic. I knew. Jason said, Terrence is going to sing. Normally my accompaniment is the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, but they weren’t here. I could have brought some music, looking back, but I had my voice. In a capella, I sang the song. Glancing behind at the temple mount and the current Muslim facility sitting there.
“The signs of our time are happening everywhere. I can almost hear the Father saying son go get our children and bring them home at the midnight cry we will soon be gone
This was not a checklist. It was a prophetical fulfillment. The Lord had told me that 2015 would be a year of prophetic manifestation. Another one was complete. There would be more. Gershon was waiting around the corner. He met us. We followed. Albert was also waiting back at the bus. We boarded and another short drive up Mt. Olive for another view and lesson.
The Mount Olive view was picture card in expression. It was same awesome picture seen on postcards and Google images. A tour photographer was there to snap frame a picture of our group, to add to someone’s album. There it was bigger than life, the wall and the dome. The mountains of time were where we stood and watched.
Terrence and Preaching buddy Dr. Belinda (Billie) Fontane
“Camel rides anyone?” a vendor and his pet, I supposed. For three American dollars, he would bend and kneel (the camel) allowing you to board and lift up---the same way in reverse. So several of us engaged the experience. Linda, Denise, Pastor J, and myself. I was dressed in my safari vest and safari hat. I felt the part---Indiana Jones movie material. And yes, the camel smelled. Although it wasn’t evident until back on the bus. Billie felt it was animal abuse. Quipping again, I replied, the man probably works for the camel.
We headed back to the bus. Lagging behind unknown to anyone else, I selfied [new word] myself on my video camera singing a line again from the Midnight Cry. So now, at the base of the mountain, and now on top, prayer fulfilled and moments I will remember forever.
From the top of Mt. Olive, to the upper room was the path. To note, sitting next to the Garden is The Church of All Nations. We visited it, but now it could be seen, on the slope, as we passed by. We now, viewed the mountain, from the bus. Gershon made reference to a hill called The Hill of Evil Counsel. It is believed, to be the place where Judas met with the Pharisees, in counsel, to betray Jesus. Ironically, today, the United Nations Embassy is built there.
The Upper Room also called the Cenacle is now a mosque. It is still visited by tourist as we did. There was a caution to pray there. Irony or blasphemy, this is the place where the last supper was held, as well as the Pentecost infilling. It was here, the Holy Spirit empowered the disciples with a new power and language in prayer. 3000 Jews from around the world were converted, in one prayer service, as they heard in their own language, the wonderful works of God. A sign in Arabic says no public prayer. Below, there’s another sacred place, the tomb of David. Although it has been attested that it is not his real burial place.
We had still been on the geographical slopes of Mt Zion. The next site here---on tour, was the palace of Joseph Caiaphas the High Priest at the time of Christ. It was he that plotted Jesus death. It was also in this courtyard that Peter denied Christ three times, sealed by a rooster crow. A statue attempts to capture that moment of eternal emptiness when Peter realized what he had just done. Underneath is a dungeon---a holding cell for prisoners awaiting judgment. It is where Jesus was held awaiting Caiaphas sentence.
The same steps that Jesus walked on to go from the holding cell to Caiaphas is still there. Billie and I reported (a newscast) from there. Our words interrupted by the sound of 12 bells from the church. For whom the bell tolls, I thought. Another reminder of His sacrifice on the cross.
It seemed we did a lot in the morning. Less driving, I guess and things closer together. Portraying how Jesus 3 and ½ years were sped up in his last pre-cross visit to Jerusalem. He didn't enter the city like us on a bus but on the back of a donkey. The symbol of a king celebrating coronation. Many received him. Most of the religious hierarchy did not. He cried unto the city.
Luke 13: 34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! 35 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Luke 19:44King James Version (KJV) 44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.
Caiaphas has no idea that in a dungeon below his palace was the king that is called the chief cornerstone. Patiently waiting for His future and the whole world
We left there and had lunch at Kibbutz Ramat Rachel.
After lunch, again fitly, we boarded the bus and headed to the House of Bread. Bethlehem, as known by most---beth (house) lehem-(bread or meat).
There is a Christian own store in Bethlehem where we stopped to support the believers in the Holy Land. This biblical city is now majority Muslim. The store is known for fine jewelry and ivory carved figurine of famous biblical events, such as the nativity and the last supper. I was convinced, if I was a collector, it would begin here. We spent about an hour here.
Our second visit was to the Church of the Nativity, an edifice, built over the manger where Jesus was believed to been born. A silver star marks the place, in an underground cave. Diane, the church secretary, had been healed of cancer. She shared that with me upon our first conversation. She had taken the tour some years ago. She testified of visiting the Church of the Nativity after her healing. While there, she had an experience and epiphany perhaps. Oil (of some sorts) was on hands. In the church, there are lamps above. But far from her reach and not really to be touched by anyone else. No one else on her tour had experienced this. Somehow the oil had found her. Taking this as confirmation of her healing, she rubbed the oil in.
I was with Diane this tour. I had held my camera up high to snap a picture over the heads of the crowds. While doing so, my hand bump a lamp bottom overhead. I thought nothing of it. As I moved around in the crowd, I look down at my hand. There was oil my hand. No one else in our tour experience this. I was healed of cancer in 1998.
Connected to the church if the nativity is St Katherine Church---the church is where it is believed St Katherine had a visit from Jesus. The church also has steps and rooms leading under the Church of the Nativity. Entering the church is a small rectangular entrance called the Door of Humility. It forced visitors of all society, to remove from their horses, and humbly enter the holy place. Perhaps an idea used by Jesus. Saying, it easier for a camel to enter the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.
Gershon had to leave that afternoon and were with our new tour guide for the afternoon---Iman. She led us through the church and to our next site---a cave at the Shepherd’s Field Bethlehem in the village of Beit Sahour. It is possible that here the infamous Luke 2:8-20 was first narrated.
(8-14) 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Iman was a preaching tour guide. She preached in the church reminding us that whether or not the site of Jesus birth was archeologically authentic, the most import thing is what the scriptures says and that He is real in our hearts. She continued the message in the cave. We entered and shut the door. History was infused with the Spirit, as we sit on the pews, in the shepherd’s home away from home.
Daylight was beginning to wane. It had been a holy day and would continue to be a holy night---from Bethlehem to Jerusalem. We headed back to the bus. Hotel, rest, dinner.
Rona's Report - Day 6
Garden of Gethsemane (Church of the Garden of Gethsemane)
- From the Hebrew, “Gat Smane”, meaning “oil press”
- Coming down from the Mount of Olives, Jesus wept for Jerusalem (Luke 19: 41-44)
- Garden at the foot of the Mount of Olives believed to be where Jesus prayed before His crucifixion (Matthew 26:36; Mark 14:32; Luke 22:39-40)
- Olive trees in the garden are among the oldest in the world
- Terrence sang (title of song?) at the Garden of Gethsemane
Upper Room (Mt. Zion Church)
- Structure build over or near the original site of the Last Supper (Mark 14: 12-15)
- Unlike the portrayal of Leonardo da Vinci, the setting for the Last Supper is not a long rectangular table, but a triclinium (a low u-shaped table, with a middle opening) with the host seated on the left
- The Upper Room was later transformed into a mosque by the Ottomans
- Tomb of David (not the real burial place) s found on the lower level
Palace of Caiaphas
- Residence of the High Priest; place where Jesus was tried by the Sanhedrin (Matthew 26:57-68)
- On the courtyard of this palace could be found the place where Peter denied Jesus (Matthew 26: 69-73)
- Underground cave/pit where Jesus could have been imprisoned before he was delivered to Pilate (read Psalm 88 for reflection)
Lunch at Kibbutz Ramat Rachel; met with Richard Page of Ed Hill Travel
Bethlehem, Palestine (with Iman as guide)
- From the Hebrew words, “beth” (house) and “lehem” (bread); thus, referring to Bethlehem as the “house of bread”
- Church of the Nativity, oldest Christian church built by Constantine the Great, believed to have been built over the place where Jesus was born, marked by a silver star on the floor of an underground cave (Luke 2:7)
- Church entrance is through a “door of humility” (small rectangular entrance)
- Administered by three religious groups: Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, and Armenian Apostolic
- While underground, Diane led the singing of (song title?)
§ Shepherds’ Field, Bethlehem
- Located in the village of Beit Sahour; believed to be where an angel announced the birth of Jesus to shepherds (Luke 2:8-18)
- The cave used as a church from the 4th century remains intact