The Garden Tomb Jerusalem

Map

The Garden Tomb in Jerusalem is a beautiful garden place that commemorates and remembers the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. I remember first coming to Jerusalem in 2019. We were on the bus and our guide pointed out the Garden Tomb. I was very anxious and thrilled to first lay my eyes on the site. That moment was a life changing moment as Jesus Christ's atonement started really penetrating my heart. It became a living thing from that point on. I have gone several times including a couple weeks ago which I will share. It is a special place to me, not because it has been proven as the place where Jesus's atonement actually happened. But it is a special place because millions of people have come and celebrated Him in this special way. I have come closer to Him because of what I have experienced here.

Just one experience a couple of weeks ago that was just amazing that I would like to share. I got up early, knowing I needed to get there early. I planned on going because I needed to go and buy a flock of sheep, sheep that is made from Bethlehem, for gifts for the holidays. So off I went and got there about 9:30 am. I entered the gate and meet the sweet greeter there. We visited for a minute and she said", If you go now, the tomb is all yours." There were two groups visiting but were meeting on their own as part of the tours there. So I went straight to the tomb! I was just standing in there, just thinking and these two gentlemen joined me inside the tomb. I was surprised but excited to realize just looking at them that they were Middle Eastern. The older gentleman just said," I'm sorry for interrupting you." I of course said," your not interrupting me. Your just fine!" So they came in and were taking pictures and speaking in Arabic so I didn't know what they were saying. I thought to myself that it was very peculiar but very amazing to see them there. They left and I also left right after them. I walked around for a minute and noticed this cute little room that was new to the Garden. I went in and noticed a bench and some windows that were placed so you could see the tomb from there. It started raining so I decided to sit on the bench in there and read some scriptures. What a great place to just think and ponder and just be present to feel the spirit! While doing this and spending some personal time these two men came into this room with me. They again said," I am sorry we are interrupting you again." Of course they were not interrupting me but I became more curious. The younger gentleman proceeded to get out some equipment for his phone and they started filming. The older gentleman began filming the younger one. He was speaking in Arabic. I couldn't understand what he was saying but I understood him with my heart. I could feel what he was saying. It lasted about 5 minutes. They then picked up their equipment and proceeded to leave. They again apologized for interrupting me and this gave me the chance to ask questions. I simply asked," who are you guys?" The older gentleman asked first where I was from and then he told me that he was from Haifa and his friend was from Egypt. He said," we are believers!" I turned to the younger one and asked," what were you saying because I could feel what you were saying but I don't speak Arabic. He said," we are believers and we want everyone to know!" Wow!! So Amazing! As they left the older gentleman turned to me and said," remember, the most important thing is that the tomb is empty!" Oh my goodness what a testimony!! I felt such a privilege to have meet them and to hear their testimonies of Jesus in this special place!!

Pictures from that day!