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Israel Diary Garden Tomb
Gordon’s Calvary, known as the Garden Tomb, is located about 1,000 feet from the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem. It backs up to the East Jerusalem bus station. In that beautiful, contemplative place, you can hear the noise outside and experience the wonderful peace and solitude inside. I sat there and listened and prayed. The garden is beautiful. Quiet walkways, shaded by trees and colored by flowers. In November, the mornings are quite chilly and brisk.
Is the Garden Tomb the right place for the crucifixion and burial of Jesus? Some think that it is but many scholars citing some significant amount of evidence think that the Holy Sepulcher located across the Old City near the Jaffa Gate is the right place. Obviously, I can’t decide the true place but I do know that as a place of commemoration and remembrance this is a good location. Every time I visit Jerusalem, I come to the Garden Tomb to pray and remember those final events in the life of Jesus. ©mikeclay.com, 2000, 1999 |
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Joseph of
Arimathea once was weak and fearful but in that moment when Jesus died gained courage.
Joseph’s courage was exposed by his love. Once weak now bold, he asked for the body
of Christ and Pilate stunned by the request checked to see if Jesus was dead. When Pilate
found out that Jesus was dead he gave the body to Joseph. The dead redeemer was again with
friends. He no longer suffered the indignities experienced at the hands of the religious
and the Romans. Joseph took him to a garden that was nearby and buried Him in a tomb that
had never been used. 
Before
He died for me, He suffered for me. Suffered so that I could escape the wrath of just
punishment for my sin. The eternal separation from the Father was ended and by His stripes
I have been healed. Looking at the empty tomb I could rejoice. He is alive. He is alive
and in my heart.