After lunch in small Jerusalem restaurant, we had a busy, crowded walk up to and through the Damascus Gate to the Garden Tomb. The tour of the Garden Tomb was done by American or British Guide (Shafik not allowed to guide us here). The Church of England purchased land in 1890. They thought the “skull” face in side of cliff with two caves could be place of Jesus’ burial outside the city because Jews stoned/executed other Jews there and Romans would have used highway to do executions so others would see. When Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus took Jesus’ body to a garden nearby, the garden would have been an agricultural one, not just flowers and trees. They found a wine press below, so it could have been a garden/vineyard. When grapes were pressed, they used small people to tread on them but not break the seeds because it would taint the flavor of the juice. The trough or channel is for the juice to run or pour. Then we saw the tomb, which has small window to allow soul to get out, and a channel for stone to roll. Normally a body would have been left one year, and then the family would come and put the bones in an ossuary (box) and move it out. Rounded roof could indicate Byzantine church in 4th century and has a painted red cross with symbols of Jesus Christ, Alpha – Omega It’s not important to know the exact location; it’s about the resurrection in your heart. Pastor Kyle preached and we celebrated communion. Then we sang the hymn In the Garden. We had time to reflect ... and notice the sound of the water, see pomegranate trees bearing fruit and a bird close by... As we prepared to depart, an Israeli Government Tour Guide came and asked if Pastor Kyle would meet with a vacationing Latina singer. We had seen her entourage yesterday at the top of the Mount of Olives and again at the Garden of Gethsemane, where she openly listened to Kyle's message - then talked with Shafik for a full explanation and answer her questions. Now, when she saw us at the Garden Tomb, she asked Pastor Kyle to pray with her (and she cried). Then she asked to be baptized.
As we drove away from the Garden Tomb, we saw tombs/monuments of Absalom and Zachariah (pointed roof). It brought to mind Jesus' warning in Matthew 23: "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside ... you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness." It's not the outward appearance, but the heart that matters to God. We went to Western Wall (also known to us as Wailing Wall, but not referred to that by Jews). This is where the Jewish people believe they can be closest to God and the Holy of Holies in the Temple. The prayer areas are divided for men only and women only. When Jews finish praying, they respectfully back away from the wall rather than turning their back on it. We stayed for Sabbath - Shabbat Shalom Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16)
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AuthorThis blog is mainly written by me (Laura Walkendorf,) and also by my parents. Archives
April 2017
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