Healing in Jerusalem

We entered Jerusalem through the Lion gate. We then walked to the ancient pools of Bethesda. We sat in the gardens of the church and read from John Chapter 5. we considered how in verse 8 Jesus told the man to: "Get up, pick up and walk!"

For me, however, I considered how the man had been looking for healing wherever it could be found. He couldn't even get into the pool but he was desperate to cure himself. 

When Jesus saw him, his first words were, "Do you want to get well?" So often we look to other things to give us the healing only Jesus can give. We need to look ONLY to him and faith that we will Get up, pick up and walk!

We went inside a beautifully simple church and sampled the acoustics singing 'Praise my soul, the king of heaven' it gave me goosebumps! 

We then stood and looked over the ruins of the pool of Bethesda. At the side of the pool was a plaque that read:

'Jesus is all-powerful, omnipotent; He always has ways and means to help you.'

We need to go to God believing he can and will heal us so that we can Get up, pick up and walk. 

Having visited Bethesda, we went to view some ancient ruins of the old which wove their way through the Jewish Quarter. After a lovely gluten free lunch, Paul and I walked to get our first glimpse of the Western wall. It was a fascinating view, watching people assembling and praying as music and singing filled the air. It felt very bitter sweet as the Al Aska mosque and dome of the rock loomed over this little piece of Jewish faith. 

After re-joining the group, we made our way through the winding bazaars to the Holy Sepulchre, the place where Catholics and Orthodox Christians believe Jesus died and was buried (and rose again!) Like the crowded streets we had just walked through, the courtyard was full of hustle and bustle. However, after a powerful meditation by Eric, we entered the church. 

We followed the last stations of the Via Dolorosa and saw people react to this holy place. I really struggled in there. Maybe it was the business, maybe it was the different style of Christianity, but I failed to see and hear from God.