What does the Bible say about giving to the poor?

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Question: "What does the Bible say about giving to the poor?"

Answer: In both the Old and New Testaments, we see God’s desire for His children to show compassion to the poor and needy. Jesus said that the poor would always be with us (Matthew 26:11; Mark 14:7). He also said that those who show mercy to the poor, the sick and the needy are in effect ministering to Him personally (Matthew 25:35-40) and will be rewarded accordingly.

There is no doubt that poverty’s reach is both widespread and devastating today. God’s people cannot be indifferent toward those in need, because His expectations for us in regard to taking care of His poor are woven throughout the entirety of Scripture. For example, look at the Lord’s words about the goodness of King Josiah in Jeremiah 22:16 “He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me, declares the LORD?” And Moses instructed his people how to treat the poor and needy: “Give generously to [them] and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to” (Deuteronomy 15:10).This sentiment is perfectly captured in Proverbs 14:31: “whoever is kind to the needy honors God.”

Conversely, there is another part to this verse: “He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker.” Proverbs is in fact filled with Scripture clearly showing that God loves the poor and is offended when His children neglect them (Proverbs 11:4,17:5, 19:17, 22:2, 9, 16, 22-23, 28:8, 29:7, 31:8-9). The consequences for ignoring the plight of the poor are also made clear in Proverbs: “If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered” (Proverbs 21:13). And note the strong language in Proverbs 28:27 “he who closes his eyes to [the poor] receives many curses.” Among the many sins of Sodom described in Genesis 19, her people were “arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy” (Ezekiel 16:49).

The New Testament is equally clear as to how we are to take care of the poor. One verse that nicely summarizes our expected altruism is found in the first epistle of John: “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children let us not love with words or tongue but with action and in truth” (1 John 3:17-18). Equally important is Matthew 25:31-46. Now, this judgment precedes Christ’s millennial reign and is often referred to as the “judgment of nations,” in which those assembled before Christ will be divided into two groups—the sheep on His right side and the goats on His left. Those on the left will be sent to the “eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (v. 41), whereas those on the right will receive their eternal inheritance (v.34). Noteworthy, however, is the language Christ used in addressing these separated groups. The sheep were basically commended for taking care of the poor, the sick, the imprisoned, and the vulnerable. The goats, on the other hand, were chastised for their lack of concern and action toward them. When the righteous asked Him when they did these things, Christ responded by saying “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

Now, we are not to misconstrue this as meaning the good works of the sheep factored into their gaining salvation; rather, these good works were the “fruit” or evidence of their having been saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8-10), further evidencing that a commitment to Christ will indeed be accompanied with undeniable evidence of a transformed life. Remember, we were created to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do, and the “good works” Christ spoke of in Matthew 25 included taking care of the poor and suffering.

Now, with all of these scriptural truths in mind, we are to obey them and act on them, because “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26). As James stated “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (James 1:22). Similarly, John said “The man who says, ‘I know Him,’ but does not do what He commands is a liar and the truth is not in him…Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did” (1 John 2:4,6). And the words of Christ Himself: “If you love me, you will obey what I command” (John 14:15).

Jesus commanded us to love one another (John 13:34-35). And what better way to demonstrate the love and kindness and compassion of Jesus Christ than by reaching out to the “least of these” among us?

Can a Christian today perform an exorcism? What does the Bible say about casting out demons?

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Answer: Exorcism (commanding demons to leave other people) was practiced by various people in the Gospels and the Book of Acts—the disciples as part of Christ's instructions (Matthew 10); others using Christ's name (Mark 9:38); the children of the Pharisees (Luke 11:18-19); Paul (Acts 16); and certain exorcists (Acts 19:11-16).

It appears that the purpose of Jesus' disciples performing exorcisms was to show Christ's dominion over the demons (Luke 10:17) and to verify that the disciples were acting in His name and by His authority. It also revealed their faith or lack of faith (Matthew 17:14-21). It was obvious that this act of casting out demons was important to the ministry of the disciples. However, it is unclear what part casting out demons actually played in the discipleship process.

Interestingly, there seems to be a shift in the latter part of the New Testament regarding demonic warfare. The teaching portions of the New Testament (Romans through Jude) refer to demonic activity, yet do not discuss the actions of casting them out, nor are believers exhorted to do so. We are told to put on the armor to stand against them (Ephesians 6:10-18). We are told to resist the devil (James 4:7), be careful of him (1 Peter 5:8), and not give him room in our lives (Ephesians 4:27). However, we are not told how to cast him or his demons out of others, or that we should even consider doing so.

The book of Ephesians gives clear instructions on how we are to have victory in our lives in the battle against the forces of evil. The first step is placing our faith in Christ (2:8-9), which breaks the rule of “the prince of power of the air” (2:2). We are then to choose, again by God's grace, to put off ungodly habits and to put on godly habits (4:17-24). This does not involve casting out demons, but rather renewing our minds (4:23). After several practical instructions on how to obey God as His children, we are reminded that there is a spiritual battle. It is fought with certain armor that allows us to stand against—not cast out—the trickery of the demonic world (6:10). We stand with truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer (6:10-18).

It appears that as the Word of God was completed, the Christians had more weapons with which to battle the spirit world than the early Christians did. The role of casting out demons was replaced, for the most part, with evangelism and discipleship through the Word of God. Since the methods of spiritual warfare in the New Testament do not involve casting out demons, it is difficult to determine instructions on how to do such a thing. If necessary at all, it seems that it is through exposing the individual to the truth of the Word of God and the name of Jesus Christ.

Question: "Is there activity of demonic spirits in the world today?"

Answer: Ghosts, hauntings, séances, tarot cards, Ouija boards, crystal balls—what do they have in common? They are fascinating to most people because they seem to open the window into a curious and unknown world that lies beyond the limits of our physical existence. And to many, such things seem no more dangerous than opening a window in their homes.

Many that approach these subjects from non-biblical perspectives talk about the existence of ghosts and hauntings by the spirits of dead people who, for whatever reason, have not gone on to the “next stage.” These same people talk about three different kinds of hauntings: (1) residual hauntings (likened to video playbacks with no actual interaction with any spirits); (2) hauntings by human spirits, with those spirits being a combination of good and bad (but not evil), similar in nature to people we meet in life. Some may simply want to get a person’s attention, others may be pranksters, but in either case they do not truly harm people; and (3) interaction with non-human spirits or demons. These demons can sometimes masquerade as well-intentioned human spirits, but they are harmful and dangerous.

When reading material on ghosts and hauntings from such non-biblical sources, it should be remembered that just because an author may refer to the Bible or to Bible characters (such as Michael the archangel), it does not mean they approach the subject from a biblical perspective. When no authority is given for an author’s information, the reader has to ask himself, “How does he/she know this to be so? What is his/her authority?” For example, how does an author know that demons masquerade as well-intentioned human spirits? How does he know that it is good to ask advice from “spirit helpers,” while at the same time it is important not to “invite a spirit to manifest its presence” at a séance because it may be a demon? If demons can masquerade as well-intentioned human spirits, how can one tell whether his spirit helper is telling the truth about its identity or is truly a demon seeking to confuse and deceive? How can one be sure? Ultimately those who address such subjects from non-biblical sources must base their understanding on either their own thoughts, the thoughts of others, and/or the experiences of the past. But based upon their own words (that demons are deceiving and can imitate benevolent human spirits), experiences can be deceiving! Ultimately, if one is to have a right understanding on this subject, he must go to a source that has shown itself to be accurate 100% of the time—God’s Word, the Bible. Let’s take a look at what the Bible has to say about such things.

1. The Bible never speaks of hauntings. Rather, when a person dies, the spirit of that person is goes to one of two places. If the person is a true believer (not one who merely knows about Jesus, but one who has established a living relationship with Christ through faith), his spirit is ushered into the presence of Christ in heaven (Philippians 1:21-23; 2 Corinthians 5:8) and he will be reunited with his body (after it has been transformed into an immortal body at the time Christ “snatches” away his own from the coming judgment upon the earth at the time of the rapture [1 Thessalonians 4:13-18]). If one is not a believer in Christ and does not have his name written in the Lamb’s book of life, his spirit is put in a place of torment (Luke 16:23-24) called hell, to await his sentencing for his works in what is called the “great white throne judgment.”

At that time he is also reunited with his body and is cast into eternal torment in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10-15). But whether a person is a believer or an unbeliever, there is no returning to our present world to communicate and interact with people, even for the purpose of warning people to flee from the judgment to come (Luke 16:27-31). There are only two recorded incidents in which a dead person interacts with the living. The first is when King Saul of Israel tried contacting the deceased prophet Samuel through a medium (or witch), contrary to God’s command. God allowed Samuel to be disturbed long enough to pronounce judgment upon Saul for his repeated disobedience (1 Samuel 28:6-19). The second incident is when Moses and Elijah interacted with Jesus when he was transfigured in Matthew 17:1-8.

2. Scripture speaks repeatedly of good and bad angels moving about unseen (Daniel 10:1-21), but also as interacting with living people at different times, even to the point of evil spirits actual possessing people (dwelling within them and controlling them (see Mark 5:1-20, for example). Good angels, on occasion, appear to people as well (Acts 5:17-20; 12:3-11). The four Gospels and the Book of Acts are filled with many incidents of demon possession and of good angels appearing and aiding believers. Angels, both good and bad, can cause unusual natural and supernatural phenomenon to occur (Job 1-2, Revelation 7:1; 8:5; 15:1; 16).

3. Scripture repeatedly shows that demons know things of which the people around them are apparently unaware (Acts 16:16-18; Luke 4:41). Because these evil angels have been around a long time, they would know facts that those living limited life spans would not. Because Satan has access to God’s throne at the present (Job 1-2), the demons may also be allowed to know some specific events that pertain to the future, but this is speculation.

4. Scripture speaks repeatedly of Satan being the father of lies and a deceiver (John 8:44; 2 Thessalonians 2:9) and that he also can disguise himself as an angel of light. Likewise, those who follow him, whether human or otherwise, do the same (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

5. Satan and demons have great power (compared to humans) (again see Mark 5:1-20; Acts 19:13-16), even to the point where Michael the archangel trusts only in God’s power when dealing with Satan (Jude 1:9). But Satan’s power is nothing compared to God’s (Acts 19:11-12; Mark 5:1-20, etc.) and God is actually able to use Satan’s evil intent to bring about His good purposes (1 Corinthians 5:5; 2 Corinthians 12:7).

6. God commands us to have nothing to do with anything that smacks of the occult, devil worship, or involvement with the spirit world through the use of mediums, séances, Ouija boards, horoscopes, tarot cards, channeling, etc. He considers all of these an abomination (Deuteronomy 18:9-12; Isaiah 8:19-20; Galatians 5:20; Revelation 21:8), and those who involve themselves in such things invite disaster (Acts 19:13-16).

7. The example set by Scripture in dealing with items that pertain to the occult (books, music, jewelry, games dealing with the occult, and other occult objects) is to confess the involvement with such as sin and burn the items (Acts 19:18-19).

8. The main source of release from the power of Satan is through salvation through the believing of the gospel of Jesus Christ (Acts 19:18; 26:16-18). And if one will not believe the Word of God, there is no other source of the truth they will believe, even if it came from one who rose from the dead (Luke 16:31). If one attempts to get rid of Satan and his evil angels’ involvement in his life without this, it is futile, as one merely leaves an empty dwelling place for even worse demons to return to in the future (Luke 11:24-26). But when a person comes to Christ for the forgiveness of their sin through His shed blood, the Holy Spirit comes to abide and remain until the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30). The other main weapon would be simple prayer in total dependence upon God, even as Michael the archangel exemplified in Jude 1:9.

In view of the multitude of passages dealing with involvement of the unseen demonic world with the present world—in contrast with the two recorded incidents involving interaction between the living and those who have died—and considering that the dead cannot visit the living without permission and that permission is not lightly given (Luke 16:27-31), it would seem best to understand ghosts, hauntings, spirit helpers, voices at séances, etc. (besides those which are the mere illusions created by charlatans) as the work of demons. Sometimes these demons may have no intent to conceal their nature, and at other times they may seek to deceive by appearing as human spirits in order to generate credibility for the lies they seek to spread and the confusion they seek to create.

Again, God states it is foolish to try to consult the dead on behalf of the living or to consult with those who say they have an inside track on the future when instead one can actually consult with the wisdom of the living God (Isaiah 8:19-20). And if God considered the occult practices of contacting the spirit world for wisdom or guidance for the future an abomination worthy of judgment in Moses' time (Deuteronomy 18:9-12), then God who does not change considers it so today (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 1:12) and those who ignore this do so to their own hurt. Lastly, again, the largest weapon in God’s arsenal for freeing people from Satan’s kingdom is the good news of Jesus Christ.

http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/audio/flash_play.php?aid=25&book=2&chapter=3&end_chapter=10

Prophetic Voice Publications - Games People Play - (7) Part Audio #93 (2002)

Prophetic Voice Publications - Games People Play - (7) Part Audio #93 (2002)

THATS MY KING!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upGCMl_b0n4&feature=channel

The message of Easter

Firstly that journey to Jerusalem with palm branches strewn in the path of Jesus and his disciples by an expectant crowd, and the very visible tension in the air at the Last Supper as Jesus reveals that one of those sat by him would betray him. Then the betrayal by one of those whom Jesus had trusted and loved and the trial, which had only one certain outcome because that was the politically correct one to make. Follow that with accusations; the beating and whipping at the hands of the soldiers; crucifixion as chief priests, teachers of the law and elders looked on; and now the climax as Jesus is revealed alive and risen from the dead.

It's quite an amazing few days in the life not just of Jesus, who knew exactly what was happening, but also for those around him who really do show themselves up to be absolutely human in their confusion and lack of understanding.

The Sabbath was over, and it was almost daybreak on Sunday when the eleven disciples together with the women and all of Jesus' followers, scarcely able to contain their excitement, made their triumphant way to the tomb singing songs and hymns of thanksgiving. The inhabitants of Jerusalem were much affected by this outpouring of joy and many believed that day.

When the disciples arrived at the tomb they didn't find Jesus there, but rather two men stood there in dazzling clothes. Peter asked the angels 'O holy angels of God, we know that Jesus has risen from the dead, but thought he would be here to greet us.'

The angels said to them 'You have done well to remember all that Jesus taught you concerning the Son of man being delivered into the hands of sinful men to be crucified, and on the third day rise. But why do you seek him in a musty tomb?'

And realising their mistake, they went to meet Jesus in a more suitable place.

(with apologies to Ken Collins and his Revised Fractured Version)

It sounds quite plausible, doesn't it?

The climax of the disciples' relationship with Jesus. He'd spent a considerable time explaining to them what would happen to him, and how his forthcoming and inevitable death was not to be thought of as a failure, but rather a triumph.

Now, with the crucifixion over, the crowds dispersed and the dust settled, the disciples would be actively seeking their Lord having seen the fulfillment of Jesus' prophesy. This would be the spark that set the followers alight.

Trouble is, a story like this is perhaps just too plausible and tidy to be true. This has all the hallmarks of a scriptwriter trying to make sure there are no inconsistencies and the main players are seen in their best light.

This is a story that tries and brings all the strands together too neatly, and assumes too much of the disciples - who were just as human and lacking in faith as we can be in times of crisis. Read the version that appears in the New Testament and see how it varies, especially to the description of the disciples, and their part in the story.

Very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, carrying the spices that they had prepared. 2 When they found the stone rolled away from the entrance, 3 they went in. But they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus, 4 and they did not know what to think. Suddenly two men in shining white clothes stood beside them. 5 The women were afraid and bowed to the ground. But the men said, "Why are you looking in the place of the dead for someone who is alive? 6 Jesus isn’t here! He has been raised from death. Remember that while he was still in Galilee, he told you, 7 ‘The Son of Man will be handed over to sinners who will nail him to a cross. But three days later he will rise to life.’ " 8 Then they remembered what Jesus had said. 9-10 Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and some other women were the ones who had gone to the tomb. When they returned, they told the eleven apostles and the others what had happened. 11 The apostles thought it was all nonsense, and they would not believe.

CEV

Why is this version more believable?

- Possibly because it shows the followers of Jesus to be just what they were, frightened and confused and forgetful when it came to remembering Jesus' teaching to them.

- These were Jesus' closest friends and yet the men didn't even bother to check out the tomb to see if he'd risen from the dead. It was almost as if they thought the whole story was finished.

- The women went to the tomb, but they went expecting to find a corpse because they took spices.

- When the women saw the stone rolled away, the body gone and the angels standing guard they were terrified. It was only when the angels reminded them of Jesus' teaching that they remembered.

- When the women told the disciples, they were dismissed out of hand as mad.

Is this a tidy ending to the Easter story?

It certainly doesn't seem that way. In many ways the first version would seem to fit the bill much better, give a much tidier conclusion to the Gospel message.

But this is real life, and in real life people don't always react in a predictable way.

Put yourself in the shoes of those early followers and see how you would have reacted. You've followed this charismatic carpenter around, watched as he performed miracle after miracle. You've listened as he opened your mind to the exciting possibilities of a new kingdom of God. You've been enthralled as he told stories that illustrated what life in this new kingdom would be like, watched as the number of people who flocked around Jesus gradually increased as word spread.

You've even been commissioned by Jesus himself to go out and spread the word, heal the sick and cast out demons. A real measure of responsibility has been given to you in anticipation of this new kingdom.

Your hopes are running high that here is the one who is Messiah, who will lead God's people back to God and in doing so perhaps even fulfil the historical idea of Messiah and overthrow the Roman rulers.

Yes, Jesus talked about death, but you didn't really cotton on to what he was talking about, did you? How could someone who called himself Son of God be put to death?

Then it happens, the betrayal, the trial and the crucifixion.

If you'd seen Jesus die on the cross would you really have expected to see him alive again? If you'd visited the tomb what would you have expected to see? Would you have been any different to those women who looked for Jesus' body? What would your reaction have been at the stone rolled away? The empty tomb? Angels?

I can't see our reactions being anything other than shock, confusion and fear.

And if we'd been among the group of disciples who stayed at home while the women went up to the tomb. What would our reaction be to the hysterical cries of the women as they returned and told of a resurrection?

It's the loose ends, the very human qualities of the story in the New Testament that make that Easter story so believable. It's not the way we'd have written the last chapter, but it was the way that it really was. This was real life, and real life is like that.

And why do we have confidence in this story? Because we have the word of witnesses. In Acts Chapter 10 we find what is probably the first Gospel sermon preached and written down - in the sense that it tries and explains in a few simple words what Jesus did. Preached by Peter who was there when Jesus showed himself to his disciples and followers.

To Peter, Jesus was no character in a book, or someone who was known to his cousin's sister's best friend. To Peter, Jesus was a very real person who had met, touched and spoken to, and this adds something special to his personal testimony about Jesus as he talks to Cornelius and his friends.

Acts 10:34ff

Peter then said: "Now I am certain that God treats all people alike. God is pleased with everyone who worships him and does right, no matter what nation they come from. This is the same message that God gave to the people of Israel, when he sent Jesus Christ, the Lord of all, to offer peace to them. You surely know what happened everywhere in Judea. It all began in Galilee after John had told everyone to be baptized. God gave the Holy Spirit and power to Jesus from Nazareth. He was with Jesus, as he went around doing good and healing everyone who was under the power of the devil. We all saw what Jesus did both in Israel and in the city of Jerusalem.

"Jesus was put to death on a cross. But three days later, God raised him to life and let him be seen. Not everyone saw him. He was seen only by us, who ate and drank with him after he was raised from death. We were the ones God chose to tell others about him. God told us to announce clearly to the people that Jesus is the one he has chosen to judge the living and the dead. Every one of the prophets has said that all who have faith in Jesus will have their sins forgiven in his name."

While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit took control of everyone who was listening. Some Jewish followers of the Lord had come with Peter, and they were surprised that the Holy Spirit had been given to Gentiles. Now they were hearing Gentiles speaking unknown languages and praising God.

Peter said, "These Gentiles have been given the Holy Spirit, just as we have! I am certain that no one would dare stop us from baptizing them." Peter ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

It wasn't Peter who walked to the tomb to meet with his risen Lord. Peter no doubt was no different to the rest of the disciples on that first Easter, confused and not sure what to believe. He might well have been one of the men who called the women stupid for suggesting that the resurrection had taken place.

The proof for him was the appearance of Jesus, and that was the moment when it all fell into place. And the effect that this had on his life was profound. You've only got to look at the opening chapter of Acts and see how it's Peter who assumes a leadership role within the group of believers before the Day of Pentecost and the Church was to be born.

In Peter's words in our reading it's obvious that he's come to terms with his own misunderstandings, and the penny has finally dropped. Perhaps he's remembered Jesus' words that Peter would be the rock upon which Jesus would build his Church. The message that comes across here is that God's love encompasses all people. And through that love Jesus came into the world to bring God's love, peace and healing. Peter and the others can testify to this because they were there when it happened.

Then the contrast between God's love shown through Jesus and the sin of mankind who could put Jesus to such a horrifying death……… followed by a big 'But'.

"But three days later, God raised him to life and let him be seen. Not everyone saw him. He was seen only by us, who ate and drank with him after he was raised from death. We were the ones God chose to tell others about him."

Not only that, says Peter but because of who Jesus was and is, and because of all that he achieved through his life, death and resurrection a new relationship is established between God and mankind with Jesus as the cornerstone of this new relationship.

"God told us to announce clearly to the people that Jesus is the one he has chosen to judge the living and the dead. Every one of the prophets has said that all who have faith in Jesus will have their sins forgiven in his name"

Through Jesus' resurrection on that first Easter Day the relationship that once existed and should always have been there between Mankind and its creator but was interrupted by sin, can now be re-established.

It doesn't end there of course. We've seen how the Easter story affected various people and brought them from confusion and fear into a confident and empowered faith. But the Church didn't grow because of Peter's experience, it grew because of the effect that Easter had on all those who heard it.

While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit took control of everyone who was listening. Some Jewish followers of the Lord had come with Peter, and they were surprised that the Holy Spirit had been given to Gentiles. Now they were hearing Gentiles speaking unknown languages and praising God.

Peter said, "These Gentiles have been given the Holy Spirit, just as we have! I am certain that no one would dare stop us from baptizing them." Peter ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

This is also the message of Easter. That lives are continually being changed and empowered through the retelling of the Gospel story. A story that didn't end with a closed tomb and a dead body but with an empty tomb and a resurrection. A story that shouldn't leave us unmoved. It should encourage us, as we realise that any struggles we might have with our faith are no different to those experienced by the early believers.

Sometimes we might wonder if it's all worth it. And then, into our moments of doubt walks Jesus and shows us his wounds and touches our hearts. If at that moment we will open our hearts to him then our lives will be empowered, as were those who listened to Peter's words. If we remain unmoved, if all this is a story and nothing else then how will the world outside understand the Good News of Easter - of release from fear and sin through the cross and resurrection, of empowerment, of the possibility of a new and real relationship with God?

Christians converge on Jerusalem for Good Friday

What's Good About Good Friday?

• Slideshow:Holy Week

AP – Christian Orthodox pilgrims hold crosses during Good Friday processions in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, …

By AMY TEIBEL, Associated Press Writer Amy Teibel, Associated Press Writer – Fri Apr 2, 10:24 am ET

JERUSALEM – The cobblestone alleyways of Jerusalem's Old City became moving forests of wooden crosses as Christian pilgrims and clergymen commemorated the day of Jesus' crucifixion, Good Friday.

Black-robed nuns filed past metal barriers erected by police as dozens of tourists in matching red baseball hats held up digital cameras. Some pilgrims carried elaborately carved crucifixes, while others had crude crosses made of two planks held together with tape.

Good Friday rituals center on the ancient Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where Christian tradition says Jesus was crucified and buried before his resurrection on Easter Sunday.

While Catholics and Orthodox Christians follow different calendars, this year their Easters coincide and the churches are commemorating Good Friday together.

Watching as hundreds pressed through the narrow Jerusalem street called the Via Dolorosa — the "Way of Suffering," tracing Jesus' final steps — was Katy Fitzpatrick, 24, Spokane, Washington. She said the event was both "exciting" and "a little overwhelming."

"It's a little intimidating, and the riot gear is a little intimidating too," she said of the heavy presence of green-clad Israeli police deployed to keep the peace.

Around midday, an American church group performed a reenactment of Jesus' walk to his crucifixion — including an actor who played Jesus, wearing a crown of thorns and carrying a heavy cross, who was led by other actors dressed as Roman legionnaires.

Amalia Daskalaki, 71, from the Greek island of Crete, said this was her third visit to Jerusalem for Good Friday and that she was moved each time. "It's so nice. I like to cry all the time," she said.

Amid the crush of Christians from all over the world, an ultra-Orthodox Jewish man in black tried to make his way along the crowded street by pressing against one of the walls. Jews are currently celebrating the weeklong spring holiday of Passover, and thousands of Jewish pilgrims and tourists were also in the Old City.

In addition, Muslims were holding weekly Friday prayers at the Al-Aqsa mosque, located in a compound they call the Noble Sanctuary and Jews call the Temple Mount. The disputed compound has been the scene of recent clashes between Muslims and Israeli police.

Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said around 2,500 policemen had spread out in and around the Old City to enable all three faiths to observe their rituals. No disturbances were reported Friday.

http://news.yahoo.com/video/local-15749667/18944728