The Garden Tomb: Disciples Go And Tell Others

[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/67668242[/vimeo]A hush fell over us as we walked through the manicured gardens to view the place of the skull which is now located at the back of a Palestinian bus station.  It is the place, where historically, executions were carried out, so is very probably also the place where Stephen was stoned to death while the young Pharisee, Saul, held the garments of his executioners. What struck us is that it is not on a hill far away, but it is a site located beside what had been the main road going into the city. If Jesus was crucified there, His agony was surely increased by His public humiliation.

From viewing the stark, stony face of the execution site, we walked back through the gardens. 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....and Jesus was laid there. Praise God! The tomb is still empty because He has risen from the dead! 

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Because we wanted to remember His death and resurrection in a significant way, we took communion together. Only God knows the thoughts and decisions that were made by each one, but there were many who whispered in my ear, "Anne, I will never be the same." "Anne, my life has been changed." And so I am praising God for the great things He has done, and the great things He has taught us, and the great rejoicing that continues to flood my heart! I believe that many, if not all of those who began the tour as tourists, went home as disciples! To God be the glory! John 19:17-30, 20:1-18

The above post belongs to a number of vignettes written by Anne Graham Lotz from her 2013 trip to Israel. The pictures and videos are a compilation of those taken by iPads, iPhones, and cameras belonging to Anne and other tour members. All of Anne's site teachings were professionally videoed and in the near future, it will be our joy to share some of them with you. But we couldn't resist giving you this "home-made" glimpse of our tour of His land. We pray you will be blessed.