THE HOLY LAND REVISITED - The Garden Tomb

The Garden Tomb, although has olive tree's and an old olive press, is different from Gethsemane and far more emotional. Our guide was also an archeologist and through his scriptural story telling and explanations through archeological finds we were convinced that this was in fact the garden that housed the tomb of Christ. At the far end we sat on benches near a wall. On the other side of the wall was a clear view of Golgotha or Calvary. The hill was not any taller than a large mound that could easily be walked up with no crosses on top as a monument to our Saviors sacrifice. Just below, the face of the scull was clearly defined in the shelf of the rocks. We saw two sculls! "And when they brought Him to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull)." Mark 15:22 The scriptures marked the spot.

About 100 yds on a beautiful path, we came to the tomb. The one we have seen in pictures. The one that the Catholic church does not accept as the tomb. "And he bought a linen shroud and taking Him down, wrapped Him in the linen shroud and laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb." Mark 15:46 In front of the door of the tomb was a stone trough which you had to step over. It was about a foot wide and 18 inches deep. The trough slanted upwards to the left of the door which would have been difficult to roll back. Our guide said that the stone was probably a millstone and was not rolled away but thrown away altogether, by someone with super human strength. Up on the right of the tomb was a tiny window. The door originally was small and you would have to stoop or crawl inside. The door was now much larger so that people like us could go inside.

"Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden and in the garden a new tomb where no one had ever been laid." John 19:41 Just inside the door, we were separated from the actual place where Jesus laid, by a gate. Many were peering beyond the gate but we immediately felt the presence of the Lord so strongly that tears welled up into our eyes. I caught my breath as Jim pulled me back towards the wailing wall and held me close. We clung to each other, as we felt the impact of where we were; the place where Jesus was laid!

A communion service was held in a place under the trees and foliage. We sat on benches while we listened to the communion sermonette. I was troubled as he spoke of our Savior as a man of sorrows, despised and rejected. "Gave my back to those who strike Me and My cheeks to those who plucked out my beard." Isaiah 50:6 Our surroundings were peaceful and I was reminded I always like being in cemeteries. Looking at the grave sites and reading the markers; wondering about those who had been laid to rest. Here I was at the grave site of Jesus Christ, "The King of the Jews" and my Lord and Savior. I was here in a place I have only read about, and it was empty as they said it was. One important fact that our Savior had risen! The angel said; "Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He has risen as He said. Come see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples that He has Risen from the dead." Matthew 28:5-7b

Imagine your standing inside the empty tomb; Imagine yourself sitting outside the tomb in a beautiful, serene garden like the one described in the scriptures; Imagine sharing communion with fellow Christians remembering our Savior; Imagine walking where Jesus walked and feeling His presence everywhere. Jim and I did! It is now engraved within our memory banks but it is also just as real to those of who have never visited this holy place. "In Him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in Him, are sealed with the promised Holy Spirit." Ephesians 1;13 by Jane Ann Crenshaw 9/27/09