An Afternoon at the Garden Tomb

Jerusalem might be a small city, but hidden between its crowded stone buildings are some of the cities greatest riches. One of these is the Garden Tomb, a beautifully landscaped sanctuary, situated just off of very crowded Nablus Road which is one of East Jerusalem's major thoroughfare's running north from the Damascus Gate. There is a small little sign on Nablus Road directing you down a little stone walkway. After a few metres there is a sign and a large gated entrance door. Walking through the doorway, one is transported into a tranquil and lushly landscaped garden, evoking the feeling of Oz. The Garden Tomb is ideal for worship and reflection, and visitors will find washrooms, retail store, drinking water, and numerous places for rest and prayer. I had the honor of participating in my tour of the Garden Tomb with approximately 20 congregants from the First Baptist Church in Chatsworth, GA and their spiritual leader, Pastor Tommy Snyder. The group was on their last day of touring, and ended their itinerary at the Garden Tomb with a communion service.

The Garden Tomb is believed by some Christian denominations to be the possible site of the resurrection of Jesus. In the late 1869 a large tomb was discovered, the size and type of which correlates with the description in the bible as a possible site for Jesus's tomb. In 1892, the site was purchased by a Charitable Trust based in London and the Anglicans continue to administer the location today. The British tour guide explained that the water cistern located there represents the largest in Jerusalem and dates back 2000 years when the area was believed to be a vineyard (referred to in the bible as a garden). The location, just outside the gates of the city, is according the guide, situated along a portion of Mt. Moriah andcorresponds with the biblical description of the crucifixion which, he described, as occurring proximate to a mountain cliff resembling a skull. We could view the cliff from the northern end of the garden and it did, in fact, resemble a skull.

The group was on their last day of touring, and ended their itinerary at the Garden Tomb with a communion service.

The Garden Tomb is opened Monday thru Saturday from 9 to 12 and from 2-5:30. Group reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 02-627-2745.