The Old City
Jeremiah 17:20 say to them, ‘Hear the word of the Lord, you kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, who enter by these gates..
There are 9 main gates leading into the Old City of Jerusalem: Jaffa, Herod’s, Damascas, New, Zion, Dung, Lions, Tanners and lastly the Golden Gate which has been sealed up. All with their own history and story.
Herod's Gate
ENtering into the Old City of jerusalem
Revelation 3:18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
Covering just 220 acres (one square kilometer) it seems like there are endless streets of shops and cavernous stalls all open seven days a week, mostly all selling very similar items. The main categories include jewelry, religious artifacts, souvenirs, clothing, antiques, and food with various street cafes and restaurants built into the caverns and stonework.
OLD CITY BAZAAR
each stall attempting to appeal to Christians, Jews and Muslims alike
Jeremiah 31:13 Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, And the young men and the old, together; For I will turn their mourning to joy, Will comfort them, And make them rejoice rather than sorrow.
Meandering through the streets of the Old City
It feels like your are literally walking through history
Jeremiah 5:1 Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem; See now and know; And seek in her open places If you can find a man, If there is anyone who executes judgment, Who seeks the truth, And I will pardon them.
Early morning stroll through the Old City
Isaiah 9:2 The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined.
When walking through certain parts of the Old City shafts of light penetrate through the awnings in a startling display.
Old City Streets
1 Kings 11:36 And to his son I will give one tribe, that My servant David may always have a lamp before Me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen for Myself, to put My name there.
There are four quarters in the Old City: Jewish, Christian, Armenian and Muslim.
Jewish Quarter, Old City
John 5:1 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.
The remains of the Pool of Bethesda
Deuteronomy 15:7 If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother.
A side door, church of St. Anne
I've always loved taking photos of colourful or ornate doorways. This one caught my attention tucked away down the side of the Church of St. Anne at the Pool of Bethesda.
Luke 23:26 Now as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus.
Probably the most famous street in the Old City, the Via Dolorosa.
Via Dolorosa, Old City
Hebrews 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The streets of Jerusalem are no older than the middle ages. But underground the Via Dolorosa it is possible to walk on the actual streets that Jesus would’ve walked on. Here was this mosaic portrayal of Jesus walking with the cross.
Mosaic of Jesus Carrying the Cross under the Via Dolorosa
Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.
Walking the Ramparts in the Old City of Jerusalem provides a extraordinary perspective. I was mesmerized as we passed children in school yards, nuns hanging out their ‘habits’ and inhabitants of the Old City getting on with their daily lives.
Walking the Ramparts of the City Walls
Psalm 19:9 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
View of the Temple Mount
Here an extraordinary view of the Old City with the Al-Aqsa golden dome in the background
Psalm 51:2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin.
Washing day in the Old City, Jerusalem
And the sign above the man resting reads:-
Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all
Walking the streets
how many have passed this sign without reading it?
John 19:40 Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury.
The Spices of Israel
Israel is known for its herbs and spices. This was the best selection I've ever seen. Holy Land spices', 59 David Street, Jerusalem Old City
Matthew 23:8 But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ.
At the side of the Church of the Sepulchral
Isaiah 13:6 Wail, for the day of the Lord is at hand! It will come as destruction from the Almighty.
The Western Wall is believed to be the remains of a wall of the great Jewish temple extending 62 feet (18.9 m) above ground. The wall is considered to be a sacred site by Jews, and thousands of people make pilgrimages there each year.