Good Friday in Jerusalem

APRIL 10, 2009
Today is Good Friday—and I am blessed to be in Jerusalem. It’s a beautiful sunny day—somehow I always connected this day with rain, wind and cold …and maybe it was because the timing may be different. But today was really nice.

I went to the Garden Tomb—it is right beside the Arab bus station, and I had seen the sign but never gone in. What a huge blessing I have been missing. It is just so beautiful and serene and a wonderful place to worship. My roommate Mary had told me that she goes there often to just sit on the benches and meditate and listen to music and pray…and it is perfect for all that. There are long benches all around—some sections have groups of benches so tour groups can gather together.

There is another place called the Church of the Holy Sepulcher that some consider the place where Jesus was buried.

At the Garden Tomb, there is a skull hewn out in rock—naturally hewn. Then a short distance away is the tomb—in the stone there is a round stone that looks like it might have been that big stone…it is in the stone, not separate from it. The tomb is closed today because it is Good Friday. But I was there from 2 or so until almost 5…and I realized that it was about the time they were taking Jesus off the cross and carrying Him across to the tomb. I was just completely overwhelmed to think about it all. It is just so visibly clear—and makes all of the truth of what happened so meaningful. I called Bro. Joe because I remember seeing a picture of him at this place and hearing him talk about how meaningful it was to him. He thought something was wrong with me because I was so overcome with being there! He just rejoiced with me and prayed with me on the phone. I sat there until I was really cool—and needed to go home…I hope to be able to go there often.

I was thinking about Joseph (of Arimethea) who owned the tomb. I’ve never read any more about him—I wonder what happened to him after the Resurrection.

I left here about 11:30 this morning and went to Jamil’s in the Old City and had my hair colored…I took my own stuff…but I surely do miss Sheliah …there’s no one quite like Sheliah…& not just with hair!

Then I found a little restaurant in the Old City and had a delicious meal…I wish all of you could eat some of what I’ve been eating…this was grilled chicken with some kind of seasoning…and a Greek salad…just yummy. Then I headed on over to the Garden Tomb.

On Sunday morning at 6:00, there will be a sunrise service. The worship team from King of Kings church is leading it…so we all plan to go. The man at the Garden Tomb said to come early…so we’ll all get up early and be there. What a wonderful time that should be. I’ll let you know.

Melissa and Maegan arrived in San Francisco last night to enjoy a visit with Holly and Dana over the Easter holidays…I love when they are all together having a good time. I don’t know if I told you, but Maegan won 1st place in the two-mile run at the district track meet—running on JV …and she won 2nd place in the mile! What a girl! Nan surely would liked to have been there cheering for her! I look forward to seeing all those fun things when I’m home.

Wilma, Kristen and I have booked a trip to Istanbul, Turkey for the 4-day holiday next week end. Please pray for us as we go on that adventure.

Hope all is well with each of you…please pray for the girls and the rest of my family…and for me and Jerusalem School. I am thanking God for the blessings of being in Jerusalem during these days. I do continue to look forward to being home…hopefully on June 7…I hope to be in my pew at FBC Groves on June 14! Seems like years since I was there!
Love
Beth