A Focus on Easter - Part 6
From FirstTullahomaWiki
The conclusion...........
In the previous message I discussed the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the site considered by many to be the more authentic of the two traditional locations for the crucifixion and burial of Jesus Christ.
The truth is that no one really knows where these events took place.
The other site considered a favorite by many, is the place called "Gordon's Calvary" and " The Garden Tomb". "Gordon's Calvary" and "the Garden Tomb" are adjacent to each other and are not far outside the present city walls as illustrated on the satellite image above.
This is the Damascus Gate, built in 1542 by the Ottoman ruler, Suleiman the Magnificent. The Damascus Gate is in the northern wall of the old city of Jerusalem. "Gordon's Calvary" and "The Garden Tomb" are not far from the Damascus Gate.
A personal note: I have walked on top of as much of the wall around Jerusalem as is allowed- from the Jaffa Gate (on the west side) to the Temple Mount (on the east side).
In 1883, General Charles Gordon was visiting his friends Horatio G. and Mrs. Spafford* (who lived atop the northern wall of Jerusalem) and noticed the similarity of this rock out-cropping to the appearance of a scull. Hence, the name: "Gordon's Calvary". This view is from atop the city wall- likely near where they lived.
*Horatio G. Spafford wrote the well known hymn, "It is Well With My Soul". His name is on a memorial stone I have seen in the Christian Cemetery immediately behind Jerusalem University.
If you use your imagination, you may be able to see what looks like the eye sockets, nose, and mouth of a symbolic scull.
Just to the west of "Gordon's Calvary" is the site called "The Garden Tomb". While the garden is beautifully landscaped and provides a pleasant place to visit and reflect on the burial and resurrection of Jesus, according to archeologist and Biblical scholars it does not hold up as an authentic location.
I liked what the Methodist pastor who guided us on our tour in 2008 said....."If it did not happen here, it did happen not far from here."
John 19 KJV
Jesus is Buried
31 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
32 Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.
33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:
34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.
35 And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.
36 For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, *A bone of him shall not be broken.
37 And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.
38 And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.
39 And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.
40 Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.
41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.
42 There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.
*Remember the instructions about the Passover Lamb that God gave to Moses and the Israelites ?
Exodus 12 KJV
46 In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof.
I made this picture in northern Israel, far from Jerusalem. In my mind, it is probably a better image of what a tomb might have looked like at the time of Christ.
Matthew 27 KJV
The Tomb is Sealed and a Roman Guard is Posted
62 Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,
63 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.
64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.
65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.
66 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.
Matthew 28 KJV
He is not Here- He is Risen!
1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshiped him.
10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
Many have asked......:Does it get cold in Israel? This picture answers the question. Yes, it does!
To visit this spot was what I consider a rare opportunity that a tourist in Israel would never have. When I was at Jerusalem University in January 2008, our leader Dr. Paul Wright (President of the University) and took us to a number of remote Biblical locations not usually visited by tourist. As you can see from the tall weeds, this site is definitely "off the beaten path".
Luke 24 KJV
The Road to Emmaus
13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.
14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.
16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.
.....
28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.
29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.
30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.
31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
Acts 1 KJV
Jesus Appears for 40 Days Before His Ascension
1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
Luke 24 KJV
The Ascension of Jesus
50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.
Acts 1 KJV
6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Acts 1 KJV
The Disciples Return to Jerusalem
12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.
So, we come to the end of "A Focus on Easter".
I trust that these messages have caused you to better understand or have a deeper insight into the events surrounding the Easter story. My hope is that as we approach the Easter season, you will experience it with a new reality; perhaps as never before.
In closing, I am providing a sampling of scriptures that may add further significance to what we have reviewed. To access these scriptures, please click on these links:
The New Covenant, Jesus’ Death on the Cross, The Resurrection, The Ascension, and The Significance of a Decision.
I really appreciate those of you that have given me feedback and encouragement on this endeavor. It pleased me that many have shared these messages with others.
I hope all have been blessed by them.
Jim Johnson
The "NIV" and "New International Version" are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™ (NIV quotations are used in accordance with “Fair Use” provisions.)
King James Version of the Holy Bible is in the Public Domain and is not copyright protected.
Google Earth Satellite Images are used in accordance with published copyright provisions.
All photography in Israel is by Jim Johnson and Tom Cole.
A Focus on Easter:
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6
