We spent yesterday and this morning visiting the most important sites for Christians. I’ve already reported about Jesus’s trials before Pilate and Herod, but let’s go back to the hours prior to Jesus being thrown into Caiphas, the High Priest’s dungeon. (See yesterday’s post for that part of the story.)

The Gospels teach us that Jesus traveled to Jerusalem for Passover; that He stayed with Mary, Martha and Lazarus in Bethany, on the eastern side of the Mount of Olives; and that He taught His disciples on the western slope of the Mount of Olives, overlooking the Kidron Valley. Scripture tells us that He went to the Garden of Gethsemane with His disciples to pray, but His disciples slept. Here is that area of the Mount of Olives. (The Church of All Nations stands there today.)

After betrayal by Judas, Jesus was taken to Caiphas, and that chapter was written in yesterday’s post.

We know that Jesus was handed over to a Roman legion to be crucified. He was taken outside the city gates to a place called Golgatha, the Place of the Skull.  The crucifixion took place on the major trade route. He was hung naked on a cross, at the foot of that hill, easily accessible for the jeers and degradation by passersby.

He was then laid in an unused tomb, in a nearby garden. Though the garden was likely a bit different then, here it is today.

This is believed to be the actual tomb.

But friends, I have been in this very tomb 4 times now and can attest that the tomb is EMPTY!

Jesus was laid there…in an unfinished tomb. (Evidence supports that.) And He simply borrowed it for a few days!

John 20 tells us that Mary Magdalene went to the tomb three days after He was laid there, but found the stone rolled away. She ran to tell the apostles, and Peter and John ran to the tomb to check it out for themselves. Peter arrived first, but did not go in. John, however, saw and BELIEVED!

When Jesus proves Himself evident in our lives, do we enter in and BELIEVE, or do we simply “look inside,” give a nod , and move on?  Sobering question, isn’t it? And one I am reminded of each time I see this site or read the passage.

I’ll leave you with that thought as we travel back home. However there is so much more to share regarding this journey, and I’ll do my best to share more in the next few days.

Also, I plan to lead “Looking for the Blessed Hope” with friends of mine, beginning in a few weeks. If you are interested in me posting some of that study, please let me know that by commenting. If there is enough interest I will attempt to share some of the study via this blog.

Meanwhile, one last time from Jerusalem…..Shabbat Shalom!