So it is so hard to pick favorites…again, this is up there for me because I did an entire, lengthy Beth Moore Bible study on this next one. We went back out of the Dung Gate, and walked around the southwest corner of the temple.
We went to the south side/wall of the Temple Mount, and found the stairs that the Jews would have used to enter the temple on occasions such as Passover etc. The feasts, the times when Jews were called to come to Jerusalem. As they entered the Temple, they would have prayed on each step the Psalms of Ascent. Each of 15 steps for the 15 Psalms (Ps 120-135, as memory serves). The southern gate was blocked and a wall built by the Turks kind splits where the gate was, but this is where Jesus would have taught…men and women. This is where Mary and Joseph would have brought him the first time to see Simeon and be circumcised. This is where the apostles would have taught the people too. These steps.
(Top left is the gate blocked and half covered with a wall). Here’s a closeup of that part…
I mean in.cred.i.ble. I love this spot. Again, a place where I could have spent a long time reflecting and praying.
Here is a pic of the WW again from higher up. Men on the left/top, women on the right/bottom. When we left the Southern Gate, we went up a huge ramp to get up to the upper courtyard and the Dome of the Rock, which has been claimed by the Muslims. There is a mosque up there from the era of the Crusades, and then also the place where the Southern Gate would have allowed people to emerge onto the open courtyard area. Next up, some pictures of the Dome of the Rock.