The Garden Tomb

This site is outside the current old city walls, and was discovered by a British archeologist in the later 1800's.  It has a lovely garden, and is a place tour groups can come to hold worship services and communion, which we did.  It was touching to hear hymns and readings in many other languages as we saw this potential place of Golgotha and the tomb.   The tomb found here was later identified as probably one from a time earlier than Christ, but this was still a meaningful place for our group to remember and celebrate the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross, as well as rejoice in the resurrection and the fact that His tomb, no matter where it actually was,  IS EMPTY!

This cliff is reminiscent of a skull (the meaning of Golgotha- "Place of the Skull") and was next to a well traveled road where crucifixions would have an impact on passersby.

The ancient tomb in this garden.  This gentleman is part of the British organization that runs the site. He gave an excellent gospel presentation and history of this place.  

Inside the tomb.

Photos for John 19:31-42

An example of a 1st Century tomb from the time of Jesus.  This was excavated in the 1980's in the Galilee area.  

Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Jerusalem 

Orthodox worshippers at the site honored as the place where Jesus body was taken off the cross and put into the care of His mother Mary.  Joseph of Arimathea  asked Pilate for the body, and after customary preparation placed it in his own new family tomb.

Lighting candles at the site of the site believed to be that of the empty tomb of the risen Christ.  The Church of the Holy Sepulcher is built around this tomb.

Jerusalem sites for John 19

The Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Old Jerusalem.

Tradition holds it is built over the site of Golgotha and the tomb of Christ.  It appears this has been an honored Christian site since before 100 AD.  The first church here was built in the time of Constantine (later 300's).  Much of the current building was built in the time of the Crusaders in Jerusalem (1095-1187).  There are currently 6 main denominations that reside on this property:  Greek Orthodox, Catholic, Arminian, Coptic, Ethiopian Orthodox and Syriac Orthodox, each with various chapels, and all part of the history of this site.  

Courtyard and Entrance.  

Stations 10-14 of the Stations of the Cross are inside the church.

Orthodox lanterns and mosaics of Jesus in prayer at Gethsemane and the betrayal of Judas

Beautiful mosaic on the pillars near the Altar of the Crucifixion.

The 11th Station with a mosaic of Jesus being nailed to the cross.

The 12th Station, the Orthodox Chapel at the place of the death of Jesus.  The Altar of the Crucifixion is built over Golgotha.  The rock can be seen through the glass case on either side of the altar.  In the center under the altar is a silver disc marking the place the cross of Christ is believed to have stood.

Jerusalem, November 2009

Andrew and I on the Mount of Olives 

   

The Dome of the Rock, a Muslim shrine at the site of the 1st and 2nd Jewish Temple.

Chapel of the Flagellation, near the Antonia Fortress in Old Jerusalem, commemorating the site where Jesus was scourged and mocked by Pilate's Roman soldiers.  The design over the door is to remind one of the thorns in the crown placed on Jesus' head.

The Via Dolorosa, (the Way of Sorrows) a winding pathway through the Old City; since Byzantine times considered the traditional way of Jesus to the cross.  There are 14 stations marking different events along the route. The chapel above is station #2

Today it is a crowded, noisy market area - and probably was as Jesus went by, bearing the cross.

Station 3 marks the first of three times tradition says Christ fell under the weight of the cross.

The 5th Station, where Simon of Cyrene was pressed by soldiers into service to carry the cross for the stumbling Jesus.  

The 8th Station (not pictured) is the site of the lamenting women of Jerusalem in the Gospel of Luke.  

Israel pictures for John chapter 18

East Gate of Jerusalem - now closed in but open at the time of Jesus.  Where He and disciples exited the city to go to the Garden of Gethsemane.



Modern artwork at probable site of Gethsemane.  Jesus in agonized prayer.

Mosaic of Judas' betrayal kiss at Gethsemane.  Church of All Nations, Jerusalem.

Ancient olive tree.  Gethsemane means "Place of the Olive Press."

Church of All Nations, Jerusalem, next to the olive grove commemorating Gethsemane.