Jesus walked up these steps! (Part 1 of 3)

What if you could walk exactly where Jesus did? While in Jerusalem in March, I did just that.

Jerusalem Archeological Park sits directly above the City of David (ancient Jerusalem). I didn't have a tour guide while there, just a brochure and the signs posted around the park, but I was able to listen in as a tour guide explained in English to 2 men about this place. He especially pointed out the steps and the straight line they formed down to the City of David.

As you can see in the picture above, there's a (now blocked) triple gate, and a double gate (the arche above one is only partially visible. Travelers to the city would walk up through the city and up to the Hulda gates to worship.

You can see where the original stones still stand and where others were added on later to make the mosque. These are the original stones!

Take a look at these steps! As pilgrims ascended, reciting the prayer of ascents, the steps themselves provided almost a rhythm in how they were arranged, adding to the event.

Beside and below the steps are the remains of the ancient mikvot used for cleansing before Jews entered the Temple. There was so much there that I wanted to learn… my brochure made me wish I’d had a guide. But, I was lucky, because we'd learned about mikvot in my Hebrew class that very week! I walked around giggling, experiencing my new knowledge firsthand!

I walked all through this maze of mikvot (as the paths allowed). It was a beautiful, warm day, and tourists were just returning to Israel at this point, so I basically had it all to myself. How incredible to imagine David, Solomon, the disciples, Yeshua—EVERYONE!—walking up to the 2nd Temple to worship on this very route.

And, let's not forget the spectacular view of the Mount of Olives!

That's it for now, but not the end you'll see of this incredible place. This is only part 1 of 3 about my visit to this park. Stay tuned for part 2 next Monday!