Lion's Gate

This post is one in a series of posts about my trip to Israel in March 2011.
For other posts in this series, click here.

A wall surrounds the entire city of Jerusalem.  On this day of our trip, we began outside the Eastern Wall of Jerusalem.

The stonework still amazes me.

From where we were standing at the Eastern wall, you could look back and see the Mount of Olives.

This particular gate is called the Lion's Gate and is the place where Stephen was stoned in Acts 7.

When they heard these things, they became enraged and ground their teeth at Stephen.  But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.  

“Look,” he said, “I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”  But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him.  

Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.  While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”  

Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he died.

Acts 7:54-60 NRSV

As you can see, Stephen was note the only figure we might recognize at the Lion's Gate, but a young Saul was there as well.  He, who would have a transformational journey to Damascus and become one of the leading figures in the early Christian movement, stood here as well.  

Each step on this journey was like this, literally walking where powerful pieces of Scripture took place.

And don't forget to head over here and enter to win a $75 Target gift card!!