This episode takes us up close to the famous Western Wall in Jerusalem. This is a holy site, a place of pilgrimage, where the Torah is read and Jewish men come to lament and pray for Israel. It is a section of the great retaining wall created as part of Herod the Great's rebuilding of the temple.
The Western Wall, or Wailing Wall, is all that’s left of a much larger wall which used to surround the Temple Mount: a magnificent architectural complex, initiated by King Herod the Great (c.72–4 BC). Yet all except the Western Wall was razed to the ground by Roman armies in AD 70, when Jewish rebels resisting an extended siege were finally overcome.
The term ‘Wailing Wall’ refers to Jews previously using the wall as a place of lament over their destroyed Temple, city and nation. These days Israelis tend to speak of the Western Wall. It is still a place of prayer and pilgrimage.
In Jesus’ day, countless pilgrims had flocked to the Temple. He taught and healed people there, as well as driving out those who were turning worship into a lucrative business of currency exchange and the sale of sacrificial animals.
The walls that ‘heard the voice of Jesus’ also echoed with the shouts of praise of those who’d begun to realise that he might be the Messiah. No wonder the established religious leaders challenged him before long.
A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood tells the story of children’s TV star Mr Rogers and investigative journalist Lloyd Vogel, a hurting young man who is set on destroying Rogers’ sterling reputation. Instead, Vogel finds that Rogers is willing to give him space to lament and process the pain buried inside, which ultimately leads to his inner healing. Do we make room for our hurt?
Nowadays, people pray and lament at the Western Wall. In our broken and complex world, where things aren’t as they should be, the Bible permits individuals and communities to voice their pain. Is lament an expression of a lack of faith? Quite the opposite. Crying out to God in our distress is a way of expressing both grief and trust: that God is big enough to handle the problem. To lament is to have faith!
When was the last time you lamented? Take time now to let your suppressed hurt and emotions rise up. God is big enough and he’s listening.
Read on, to find out more about the Temple:
Subscribe to our Youtube channel to be updated on the latest videos!
An eight-session course helping you explore the world’s bestseller.
The Bible: A Story That Makes Sense of Life
What is the Bible and how is it relevant to me? This book is the perfect read for anyone asking those questions in the 21st century. The Bible: A Story That Makes Sense of Life helps readers see how the narratives and themes of the Bible connect to their own lives.
Read the Bible 
Processing...