While viewing this breathtaking site, I learnt that; the City of David was so named after the king of Israel, who conquered the city in the 1000 BC. Scriptures say he brought to the city the Ark often Covenant, which contained sacred artefacts including the stone tablets bearing the Ten Commandments. David made Jerusalem the political and religious capital of his kingdom. His son and successor made many grand improvements to the city, including a lavish palace and a temple to house the Ark.
After wondering about in awe of the city of David, I rested for a short prayer before departing to return to my abode.
Day Two
My travels today are taking me to Lion's gate. It allows passage through the massive stone wall that surrounds Jerusalem's Old City
It was created by workers around 1538 AD when Jerusalem was controlled by the Ottoman Empire and under the rule of Suleiman, the magnificent.
On the astounding lion's gate the lions were based on a dream had by Suleiman, he was terrified by it, in which he was attacked by lions. Those lions are represented on the gate. Lions seem to me to represent fear and a threat of death. Lions seem to be used as a method of killing and of torture, in the many stories containing lions in the bible and in stories told by Jesus.
My next visit was to the church of the Holy Sepulchre, which stands over Golgotha, or Calvary, the hill where Jesus was believed, to have been crucified, buried and, according to Christian belief, resurrected.
While touring the massive Basilica I came upon the Greek orthodox, Roman Catholic, Armenian, Coptic and Syrian chapels that mark the sites of several events leading up to and following the death of Jesus.
Beneath the churches largest dome lies the tomb of Jesus, and around this area I felt an immense amount of warmth and intensity and I felt safeguarded and secure! I left with an uplifted spirit and soul.
Day Three
Today I am returning to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to visit The Greek Orthodox Chapel of the Crucifixion. It is near the end of the Via Dolorosa, the route taken by Jesus from the site of his condemnation to the place of execution. It comprises revered sites, know as the Stations of the Cross. One of the five stations inside the church of the Holy Sepulchre is the Chapel of Crucifixion. It contains part of the rock, believed to have marked the hillside known as Golgotha or Calvary, where Jesus was crucified. The rock is encased in thick glass and is said have held Jesus'' cross. This spot was identified by early Christians as the sight of the crucifixion; knowledge of its location was maintained by word of mouth, until the Roman emperor Constantine, the Great, built the first church of the holy sepulchre in the forth century. The chapel is also known as the chapel of exaltation.
In places like this I have learnt so much about what happened to gives me a reason to believe and makes me feel closer to God.
Later that day in the early evening, I meet up with a mixed group of other Christian pilgrims; I had meet earlier that day. We came together to tell each other our favourite parts of the bible. The stories that meant the most to each of us or a speech that we felt strongly about. I even though nervous rose first to share, Acts 2 . 25-28
"For David said about him;" I saw the Lord before me at all times, he is near to me, and I will not be troubled. And so I am filled with gladness and my words are full of joy. And I, mortal though I am, will rest assured in hope because you will not abandon me in the world of the dead; you will not allow your faithful servant to rot in the grave. You have shown me the paths that lead to life and your presence will fill me with joy."
Many people also shared their favourite parts of the bible, some recited lyrics from meaningful songs or hymns. It was fascinating the way some people understood the deeper meaning of the words spoken in different ways. The evening ended with a quote from Matthew 24 . 4-14
"Watch that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name claiming "I am the Christ" and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumours of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase in wickedness the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm till the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."
Day 4
My path today is taking me to place of enchantment. A place I believe of beauty and wonder, a place of prayer and dreams. A place where you can walk with Jesus and God, in one, and feel completely at peace. Yet a place of great sorrow and betrayal.
I am to visit The Garden of Gethsemene, the place where Jesus' was betrayed with a kiss, on the eve of his crucifixion, by Judas Iscariot and where he prayed, to his father for help, before the time of his arrest for he knew, the pain he would have to face.
Several churches have been built at the Garden of Gethsemene, marking the spot where Jesus prayed. Today, the Church of Nations stands there, beside the garden walls.
I ambled through the ancient olive trees and marvelled at the view up the mountainside to the Mount of Olives. The Garden of Gethsememe is one of few, places that I feel total at rest and I do not comprehend how a garden can mean so much to me. I do not fathom at how this unfamiliar, alien place can seem so unpretentious and homely.
I left the phenomenal Garden of Gethsemene, to trek up the portentous mountainside, the Mount of Olives. The view was ethereal and the hard walk seemed facile, as though I was lifted by god's own hand, as if the Holy Spirit had filled me, and supplied me with wings!
The Mount of Olives is a Jewish Cemetery and when I reached it, I was greeted by the dramatic view of Jerusalem. From there I could see the walls and the buildings of the Old City, I also spotted many holy sites.
I wondered amongst the graves and some of them dated back to biblical times. From the top I could also overlook the Valley of Jehoshaphat, which is Hebrew for "God will judge".
My time in the Mount of Olives seemed short and I wish I could remain there, but I soon found myself having to leave the astounding place.
My Final Word
I believe I have grown closer to God and that I have found my place in the Christian world. I believe that I have now recognised my true reason for being a Christian and I think I have now strengthened my hope and faith in God.
I can now see my faith was growing weak and weary, and I needed to replenish my belief in God.
My pilgrimage has shown me that the Holy Land is real, although I knew that Jerusalem was real I was not positively sure, about weather it was rightly named the "Holy Land", but now I am.
I have travelled though the Holy Land with God and I have felt him with me at all times. I now constantly feel that he is always with me and that I have no reason to fear the world and its foes. I can live each day with Gods strong presence with me and the knowledge that he will love and care for me forever.
Part B
(i)
Why do Christians go on pilgrimages?
Christians go on pilgrimages, for many reasons normally their reasons are specific to their own beliefs, within the Christian belief.
Many Christians go on pilgrimage to certain places for specific beliefs, for example Christians often go to Lourdes because Bernadette saw Mary in Lourdes and because people believe that praying to Bernadette will bring them healing or a miracle.
Many go pursue spiritual ecstasy in sacred sites of particular faith. Some seek a miracle through god or a saint. Often Christians go on pilgrimages to obtain salvation of their soul through a physical journey, or to thank god in a place that is wildly acknowledged for being specifically Christian related. Sometimes pilgrimages can express penance for past evils, or the search for future good. Most pilgrims are indistinguishable from tourist except in purpose.
"The earthly voyage is an echo of life, which is in itself a pilgrimage."
Ninian Smart, Modern Theologian.
(ii)
What effect may a pilgrimage have on a pilgrim's life?
Pilgrimages can effect people in a very strong way, or not much at all.
Many are, or believe that they are mentally and/or physical healed. Some believe that they have been forgiven and cleansed from sin.
Often pilgrims return having found a sense of peace or they have discovered a physical renewal and/or spiritual renewal, or awakening.
Pilgrims sometimes go home having met new people and they have a different view of the Christian belief. They then view life in a different way; they appreciate life more and face problems with alternative views.
Pilgrims can return home with fresh ways of helping the world and their community and they have a new awareness of what is happening in the world.
They may have a clearer head and vote in a way that will benefit the community. They may start buying 'The Big Issue' or collect for Christian Aid, they may dedicate more time to work in their local parish or in the community.
A pilgrim could return home having strengthened their belief and/or found New Hope within God.
Part C
Are there more important things for Christians to do then go on pilgrimages?
Yes, I do agree with this, although pilgrimages may be important or seem necessary to some, there are many more important things Christians should do and are told to do in the bible.
I believe that if a Christian's faith is strong enough, then they have no reason to journey to a far off place, to find God or to replenish their belief. In my opinion Christians should be able to find a place of sanctuary, close to home or inside one's self. Christians should be blessed with a miracle, rather then seek it. They should trust God's promise, that he will stay with them, instead of travelling to places where he is believed to be, when the bible tells us that he is all around us and is with us what ever we do!
Christian people could be out spreading the Lord's word or helping the sick, elderly or disabled. They could be making friends of their enemies, feeding the hungry and hosing the homeless. Christians could save the money that they would spend on a pilgrimage and use it for charities.
If Christian people feel the need to grow closer to god they could take time away from there outside world, for a time of reflection and thankfulness. To study their beliefs and/or to study the meaning of the words in the bible, because the biblical stories have a message and a meaning for each and every Christian.
By going on pilgrimages, dolatry is being encouraged, by journeying to a place of a saint; they are worshipping a saint, an idol or a place. Pilgrimages can be seen as a selfish act and as I stressed earlier, the money saved from the pilgrimage could be spent on people of great need and not on one persons holiday type trip.
But……….
Christians sometimes believe that a pilgrimage expresses their love for God and gives them a time set aside for living a pure Christian life and being with others of the same frame of mind, who are able to feed and sustain their faith.
Pilgrimages may seem to be encouraged by God's promise, be travelling by faith and sustained by God.
Many Christians are so wearied by work, that they are doing for others, that it is good for them to go on a pilgrimage to renew their strength and faith. Some Christians are very isolated, even though they are with many other people and they have the need to seek out other Christians with the same or similar beliefs. Jesus, himself, retired from his public life, for a time of reflection, and many pilgrimages are described in the bible.
