The Empty Tomb!
Back under the raindrops we exited our bus at our first stop at the top of the Mount of Olives. This is a great site that overlooks into Jerusalem-looking straight toward the golden Dome of the Rock, at the right the sealed opening of the Golden Gate in the old city wall, and to the left steps carved out of the Mount Moriah stone leading into the old temple, with the steep valley in-between. Up to Jerusalem, what a sight! We walked down to a garden area where Pastor Gary gave a morning devotional recounting that Jesus will come again, and this place-the Mount of Olives is where He will return!We walked down this very steep hill, a long and winding road into the valley. Some historians believe this is the road where Jesus rode the donkey on Palm Sunday, and people waved Palm branches and praised Jesus with “Hosanna, Hosanna!” As we walked I couldn’t help but think of the song and sing the words to “Hosanna in the Highest…”
At the bottom of the hill we entered the Garden of Gethsemane. This garden has a high stone fence all around it because now it’s surrounded by busy roads with people and cars rushing by-what a sobering place this was. There were very old olive trees scattered throughout and our group sat and read the story of Jesus betrayal. Here we were, in the garden, the place where Jesus was praying and was betrayed by Judas. We took time to spend some time in prayer on our own. To my surprise, with all the surrounding noises you could hear, standing quietly for a few moments silently with the Lord in prayer was very emotional. This is another place I hope I won’t forget.
We walked across the road and up, up, up the hill to enter the city walls of Jerusalem at the Lion’s Gate. We toured the area around the Pool of Bethesda. Pastor Gary reminded us of Jesus ministry of healing here-He healed only one man God told him to minister to…of all the sick people that would gather around that pool area everyday. Jesus obeyed and ministered to the one God appointed for Him. How obedient am I? Do I listen to God to know who and when to minister to people?
Also, there has been built a beautiful white church building on this site, and as we toured inside and heard the incredible acoustics, our whole group stood on the front steps and sang together the Doxology and Amazing Grace-wow! We sounded like an award winning church choir—only due to the building’s construction-it was a worship treat to our ears!
Next we walked through the city and down the Via Dolorosa-the street many believe was Jesus’ route when carrying His cross to Golgotha. We entered and toured the Roman prison house, Antonia Fortress. This is where Jesus was mocked, beaten, and tried as a criminal. We went in the basement area-street level in Jesus’ time—where you can still see the street blocks and prison floor.
After a salad buffet lunch at a nearby Kibbutz that overlooks into Bethlehem, we made our way back to the Garden Tomb! I had been looking forward to this all week-unfortunately when we entered and toured the garden it was raining really hard! Our group stood and heard a historian's view of the Golgotha Hill side…at once time the mountain looked like a skull face, hence the name means, “place of the skull.” Then we each took a turn entering the empty tomb where Jesus was for only 3 days. It’s a very small space, half barricaded, with a sign posted on the door, He is not here for He is risen. 
Afterward we gathered in a nearby chapel room and had a communion service remembering what happened on this mountain and in this garden tomb!I am grateful for my Jesus today because…
He came to Earth-in Bethlehem
He died for my sins-on Golgotha
He was raised from the grave-from the tomb
He lives today- in heaven
He is coming again- on the Mount of Olives
Reminds me of the old hymn...
Because He lives…I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives….all fear is gone,
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives
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