by Kimberley Attaway
"Although I was completely exhausted leaving Jerusalem, I was spiritually full."
Today was an amazing day! We left Migdal retreat center at 6 am to make the two hour trek to Jerusalem. The majority of our schedule today centered around the week leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. We began on the Mount of Olives overlooking Jerusalem before following a path down to the city, similar to the path Jesus would have taken on Palm Sunday. From there we entered the Garden of Gethsemane and reflected upon the agony Christ experienced knowing the sacrifice he was about to make. From the garden we walked to Ecce Hommo and spent time walking on the stones where Jesus was beaten prior to his crucifixion. We took a moment to sit quietly and reflect on Jesus’ experience before eating lunch and going to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (one of the places where Jesus May have been crucified and buried). We stopped by Caiphas’ house to see the steps Jesus would have climbed after being arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane and then drove to the Garden Tomb, another possible place of Jesus’ crucifixion and tomb is unknown, Dr. Sanders reminded us not to get caught up in this controversy; the important part is that Jesus is not in Jerusalem - he is alive! We also participated in communion at the Garden Tomb, a moment I will cherish forever.
From Jerusalem we traveled another two hours south to Kfar Hanokdim in the Judean Desert, where we rode camels, ate dinner, and relaxed for the evening. Although I was completely exhausted leaving Jerusalem, I was spiritually full. It amazed me to see these different aspects of Jesus’ final week come to life.
