Church vs Garden

Day one in Jerusalem was spent doing a lot of walking around and seeing many of the highlights. We decided to see both sights that claim to be the location where Jesus was crucified and buried. The first location is the more traditional site, established in the early 4th century, at the time of Emperor Constantine.

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

The stone of anointing.  This stone is believed to be where Jesus' body was laid after he was crucified. Although Wikipedia tells me that this tradition didn't start until crusader era. It was an interesting experience being in this church. Many, many people here, kissing the stone, taking pictures, weeping, rubbing clothes or pictures of loved ones on the rock. It has the traditional smell of an Orthodox church, candles and incense.  

A closer view of the stone with a priest swinging some smoke around the church. 

This is called The Edicule. It has two rooms, one which holds a piece of stone that is believed to have sealed the tomb that held Jesus. The second room holds the tomb itself. We didn't stand in line to go inside. I have to admit, it felt a bit to iconic for me. This church is home to Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Roman Catholicism. 

Garden Tomb and Golgotha

This location is right next to a bus station, but is thought to be the place where Jesus was crucified at. It was also an old stone quarry. Jesus was thought to be crucified outside the city and at a place of the skull. There is a place on the rock wall that has a slight resemblance to a human skull. 

The tomb. A pleasant, quite, and peaceful place. Much like what I would picture in my mind. This whole garden had a totally different feel. It had flowers, green shrubs, places where groups can gather and relax to sing or listen to a speaker.

This tomb was unearthed in 1867. the entrance was damaged, that is why there is stone blocks beside the door. 

Here are some facts about the garden tomb. (Copied from the brochure.)

-It is cut out of solid rock and was not a natural cave (Matthew 27:60)

-It was sealed by a large rolling stone, as indicated by the channel outside the front wall (Matthew 27:60)

-Inside there would have been space for several mourners to stand inside the large chamber (Luke 24:1-3, 10)

The Bible also says that "at the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no-one had ever been laid." (John 19:41) 

There are a few features around the tomb that possibly give evidence that this was a garden long ago. There is a large rain water cistern, and a large preserved wine press. (See two pictures down). 

Old wine press, discovered in 1924. Whether this is the real location or not, it was a beautiful place, and as the brochure from the garden says, "the actual site is of less importance than the spiritual significance of what really happened. Jesus went willingly to His death on the cross. It was all part of God's loving plan to bring us forgiveness."

Praise the Lord!