Click picture, Temple Mount/Christ's Temptations, Part 1 (3 m. 18 s.)
Why is the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem significant? What do archaeologists want to do here and why can’t they?
What was significant about the south western corner of the temple mount in the first century? What do we learn from Josephus about this corner? How do we know this is where Jesus would’ve been tempted to throw himself down (Matthew 4:1-2, 5-7; Luke 4:1-2, 9-13), and why?
This south western corner was where things were announced like newspapers publish the news for us today. New Moons, Sabbaths, the New Year and the Messiah’s expected return were all expected to be announced here by trumpet.
Jesus was tempted to throw himself down from here because it would’ve convinced everyone he was the Messiah instantly. But these expectations were inseparable from the expectations that their Messiah would also lead them in battle against the Romans.
Click picture, Temple Mount/Christ's Temptations, Part 2 (1 m. 51 s.)
Click picture, Temple Mount/Christ's Temptations, Part 3 (1 m. 29 s.)
What did John of Gischala do in Jerusalem to try to convince everyone he was the messiah? There were already 2 others in Jerusalem who made the same claim, so what did John of Gischala do about that? And what is similar in this approach to preachers who pound hard on the pulpit when their logic is weak?
How does this differ from Christ’s approach while he was here, and his example?
The temptations of Christ are explained here. Kings enjoy food and drink, are recognized in their own day, and make monumental architecture. Jesus, however, preferred to gently draw people.
What did Jesus mean when he said to Simon Peter, “flesh and blood have not revealed this to you” in Matthew 16:13-17?
Jesus chose not to parade himself.
Click picture, Temple Mount/Christ's Temptations, Part 4 (1 m. 40 s.)
Click picture, Temple Mount/Christ's Temptations, Part 5 (36 s.)
What do we wish for in our weakness? But God wants us to be drawn, that we would be teachable, and disciplined. He wants us to listen, learn, and grow in response to what we know to be true. He doesn’t want to always dazzle and impress us like entertainment is expected to. And he won’t use force.
How wide were the original southern steps of the temple mount? How were the steps designed to slow people and why was this considered important?
What is the Ophel and what does this mean? How big was the City of David?
Now there’s a building that goes up against what used to be part of the Huldah gate. We see in the drawing how it was in Christ’s era. But how can archaeologists know beyond any shadow of doubt that Jesus was here at one time?
What did Neil Armstrong want to do in Israel? And what meant more to him than walking on the moon?
Click picture, Temple Mount, Southern Steps (3 m. 19 s.)
Click picture, Temple Mount (3 m. 2 s.)
Dr Fleming shows us a gate that dates back to Jesus’ era of time, and the molding which was carved to look much like the molding of our modern door frames. Then he shows us huge gates that Arabs carved into the rock centuries after Jesus was here.
The temple mount was created with such huge stones, there’s no known wood they wouldn’t crush. And yet they didn’t need any plaster since they were perfectly chiseled.
Unlike what many Christians assume today, the Golden Gate was only used for ceremonial purposes in Christ’s era. This means his triumphal entry wouldn’t have come through these gates.
How was the temple mount destroyed? How do you make limestone explode? What did the falling rocks do to the streets and shops below?
How do you destroy an arch? Where do you stand as you raise the pole vault pole? How far away could the exploding rocks be heard? How were many people killed as they destroyed the temple mount?
Click picture, Destroying the Temple Mount (2 m. 7 s.)
Did you read your Bible lately?
Heather, May 2023
