Day 7
Masada, Israel Museum, Western Wall
Date: October 30th
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Tram up to Masada
I am thankful that I am not too afraid of heights.
Ancient Soldiers Quarters
As we walked to the entrance of Masada, we came to these casemate rooms—small stone rooms that were likely where the soldiers stayed or stored supplies.
Ancient Quarters
If you look at the center of the wall behind our tour group you will see a long black line. Everything below this line is original to Herod’s time.
Plastered Walls to Resemble Marble
I was struck by the plastered walls, which still look so smooth and polished. Even though these were functional spaces, you can see that Herod liked to make things look nice. Herod was known to use plaster to imitate marble.
Rolling Stones
These massive stones weren’t part of the construction—they were weapons. The Jewish defenders stacked them here so they could roll them down on Roman soldiers during the siege.
Herod’s Palace at Masada
This model highlights the impressive scale of Herod’s palace complex at Masada. A significant portion of the mountain was cut away to create space for an elaborate guest residence built on multiple terraces. The structure featured Roman-style architecture, decorated reception halls, and sweeping views of the Judean Desert. The palace reflects Herod’s characteristic blend of engineering ambition and a desire to provide luxury and comfort even in one of Israel’s most remote and rugged locations.
Israel Museum — Jerusalem
The Israel Museum features some of the most important biblical and archaeological treasures in the world, including the Dead Sea Scrolls inside the iconic Shrine of the Book and the large outdoor Second Temple Model of Jerusalem. Its galleries also showcase Jewish history, ancient artifacts, and fine art from around the world—bringing the story of Scripture and the land of Israel to life.
The Shrine of the Book
The Shrine of the Book houses beneath it the world-famous Dead Sea Scrolls. Its unique white dome and contrasting black wall symbolize the scrolls’ ancient battle between “sons of light and sons of darkness,” making it one of Israel’s most iconic and meaningful museum spaces.
The Black Wall
The Western Wall Tour
Our group ended the day with a tour under the Western Wall.
The Western Wall
Massive Herodian Stones
Deep below today’s Western Wall lie enormous stones placed there by Herod the Great over 2,000 years ago. The guide told us that some of these weigh over 500 tons, making them among the largest building stones ever used in the ancient world. Standing beside them gives a powerful sense of the scale, strength, and craftsmanship that went into expanding the Temple Mount in the time of Jesus.
Touching history
One of our crew is enjoying the opportunity to touch the very places that we find in the Bible!
The Holy of Holies
The wall behind me is the closest place you can stand to where the Holy of Holies once stood. For many Jewish people, this is deeply sacred space. As believers in Jesus, we are grateful for the privilege of standing so near to the place where God’s presence once dwelled (1 Kings 8:10-11; Psalm 132:13-14). We are reminded that today, through Christ, God’s Spirit dwells in us. And we look forward with hope to the day when Jesus will establish His temple in Jerusalem once again (Ezekiel 40-48; Isaiah 2:2-4; Zechariah 6:12-13). Zechariah 14:16 tells us that one day the nations will come to Jerusalem to worship Jesus!
Wrapping Up Day 7
Day 7 was a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness throughout history and His ongoing work today. Standing in Jerusalem—near the very places where God once dwelled among His people—filled my heart with gratitude for the privilege of knowing that through Christ, His Spirit now dwells in us. Each site we visited pointed us back to the greatness of our God and the certainty of His promises.
As I continue serving Jewish people in the DC and Baltimore area, I am deeply aware that I cannot do this ministry alone. I am thankful for everyone who prays for me, encourages me, and partners with me so that the gospel can go forth in love and truth.
Would you prayerfully consider joining me as a monthly ministry partner? Your faithful support—whether $25, $50, or $100 a month—helps me bring the hope of the Messiah to God’s people Israel and equip local churches to do the same. May the Lord use our shared efforts to bless the Jewish community and exalt the name of Jesus.
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