The Temple Mount

Observations about Jews and Christians... per lizzie's request... I think it is hard for Jewish people to distinguish the difference between Christians and Americans. This is not alot unlike our own culture where so many people think, "Well I must be Christian, because I was born in American." Of course we know that is not true.

But in Israel, the same is true. While people may claim to be Jewish by "race," they seem to have some sort of thought that because they are living in Israel then they are part of God's chosen people

Our study in Romans pointed out that a Jew is a Jew because he one inwardly in God's sight. Same thing with Christians. Its a heart thing, not a location deal.

For the Jewish people we encountered along the way, they view Christians as well meaning people who love God. And they expect that we would afford them the same thought. I heard many times, "We are all part of the same family." Or "We believe in the same God." But try to take the conversation to Jesus and there is a decided difference in tone and receptivity.

Part of my view of Jewish people is a bit colored because they are so dependent on the USA for their protection. The fact is that if we do not stand up for them, no one will. It is an awesome responsibility. So when we bought things from them, they were grateful. They thanked us over and over for coming to their country, and reminded us how much they depend on America.

Back to the tour... One hot afternoon, we gathered together on the Southern Steps of the Temple Mount. 300 of us make quite a spectacle. We found some shade and had our teaching time from Kay Arthur. But what struck me was that we sat there, being taught from the Word of God, being taught about Jesus Christ, right under the dome of the El-Asqua Mosque. We are told that what we were doing was under the watchful eye of the Muslims. But we sang some great worship songs, and studied anyway. I really liked that.

Later in the week, we went up on the Temple Mount. The Dome of the Rock ( the golden one in all the pictures) is amazing. But what really caught my attention was the fact that Muslims watched your every move. They demanded that you not express any physical affection with a person of the opposite sex, and that you do not engage in laughter or any other "frivolity". Just to get on the Temple Mount is a hassle. You have to go through security, including metal detectors, they check your bags, etc. The security is all under Jewish control, because part of the agreement with the Jordanians (after the 6 day war in 1967) was that the Temple Mount would remain Muslim, but the Israelis would maintain control and security. Another example of "peacful co-existence." Lots of guns and security there.

Then you have to go up this long "boardwalk" kind of thing which is very rickety. Kind of creepy really...not safe and the City inspectors are all over the Muslims to get it together and get a safe ramp up the Temple Mount. Once you cross into the Temple Mount area, you are under the scrutiny of the Muslims... They are looking you over top to bottom. Do not hold hands, do not touch a woman, wear "holy clothes" ( men wear slacks and women must have their shoulders covered...no cleavage or anything like that.)

Interstingly enough , our guide, Kenny, was a bit nervous on the Mount. He is a Jewish man, and said that on more than one occassion he had been escorted off the Temple Mount by Muslim authorities. So we kept moving, he told stories without his usuall dramatic flair... Our Bus guide, Bob, was even more uncomfortable and kept things moving too... You just got the feeling that you were being watched.

One last thing about this. When we got up on the Temple Mount , we were besieged by young boys "selling" postcards which contained interior pictures of the Mosque athe Dome of the Rock. They were pretty agressive. Eventually, after most of us had bought a pack of postcards for $1, they were shooed away.

Captitalism still reigns, even on a Muslim Holy Site.