I'm still thinking about what the Bible tells us and how archaeological discoveries have served to attest to the Biblical record. The reliable record that the Bible provides makes me imagine and wonder about a great many things that will not be answered for me until a later time, but what we know now is enough. I have often imagined what Jesus and the disciples saw, and heard and smelled as they spent their last hours together.

Jesus walked northwards, up through the Kidron Valley, on His way to Gesthemene. With the light provided by the full Passover moon, He was probably able to see the Temple mount, and the "Tomb of Absolom." Many structures still stand now, where they did then. I have people I fellowship with and others I know, who can tell you that you can still walk through the ancient olive trees to the Garden of Gethsemene, the place where Jesus prayed before his betrayal and surrender to the authorities. You can also look back across the Kidron Valley and see the "Golden Gate" where the Savior of mankind entered into the city of Jerusalem to be tried, beaten, scourged and sentenced to death.

There is an inscription that mentions the Roman Procurator of Jesus' day, Pontius Pilate, and the actual bones of the then Jewish High Priest, Caiaphas have been found to be contained in a somewhat ornate ossuary. You can stand in Jerusalem at the judgment place of Pontius Pilate, Gabbatha, and walk from there, down the Via Dolorosa, where Jesus likely carried His cross to Calvary where He was crucified.

One of my friends has offered to let me wade through hours and hours (a shopping bag full) of video tapes of his visit to the Holy lands. One of these days, I may take him up on that if I see him again. For now, I will continue to imagine.