JERUSALEM AT THE TIME OF JESUS

Model of the city of Jerusalem at the time of Jesus

On Saturday, our group took a trip to the Israel Museum and saw several interesting displays. First was a scale model of the city of Jerusalem at the time of Jesus (circa 30 A.D.). This model was built to a scale of 1:50 and is over 21,520 square feet in total. The model gave us a glimpse into what the structures and buildings at the time of Jesus would have looked like, and opened our imaginations to the scripture in a whole new way. After our guide spoke about the model city, we had a few minutes to explore the model. 

Model of the city of Jerusalem at the time of Jesus

We gathered around the reproductions of the places we read about in the Gospels. We looked upon the 2nd temple on the temple mount. He pointed out the palace of Herod and the palace of Pontius Pilate. We even saw the spot of Calvary as it would have looked at that time Jesus was there. 

Next, we moved as a group into the museum display of the Dead Sea Scrolls. The Dead Sea scrolls are over 1900 years old and are in extremely good condition! In the dark, climate controlled room, we moved from station to station, reading the translation of the scrolls and feeling extremely grateful for the opportunity to see them with our own eyes. So how does an experience like this impact us as we continue our pilgrimage? I think that one way these experiences impact us is by revealing to us how the things of the past help us to unlock our understanding of our faith now and in the future. Both the ancient model of Jerusalem, and the Dead Sea Scrolls are so important to us precisely because of their relation to the Life of Jesus Christ. The scrolls, which foretold the life of the Messiah that was to come, and the model of Jerusalem, the place where the Messiah walked, taught and healed the sick, help us to understand both the divinity and humanity of Jesus. The more we understand about the humanity and divinity of Jesus, the closer in relationship we grow with Him. And the closer we grow with Him in relationship and prayer, the more prepared we are to follow and go where He calls us, and to do the work He asks of us.

The Dead Sea Scrolls