Final Day - Garden Tomb

Today was our final day and we spent the morning visiting Gordon's Calvary and the Garden Tomb.  It was a beautiful, cool morning with not as many as normal visiting the Garden Tomb.  Therefore, it was not as crowded as usual.  It was so special to have a british guide explain the history of the discovery Gordon's Calvary and the Garden Tomb.  

We saw the place of the skull that was outside the gate of the city and beside a busy road where Jesus was likely crucified.  It was very near an empty tomb of a rich man and in an area where there was a huge cistern that would have supplied water for a Garden.  We all had the privilege of entering the tomb as Peter did and observing that it is empty!  "He is not here, for He is Risen!"  Matthew 28:6.  I know that is true because God's Word says so.  I don't believe it any more now than I ever have believed it, but it certainly is a blessing to be able to see the empty tomb and the remains of a 2000 year old metal spike that is stuck in the outer wall that would have been used to seal the tomb.

We also went to the Holocaust museum.  It is a very powerful and sobering museum.  We visited the one in Washington a few years ago, and found this one equally overwhelming.  

After a final meal as a group we said goodbye to our tour guide Reuben.  I had opportunity to witness to him again today.  Please pray for the Lord to convict him of His sin and need for a Savior and that Jesus is n fact the Messiah.  We are already taking with him about dates to return with another group next year.  I would love to come again and bring others to see the land of our Savior and His people.

We are now at the airport in Tel Aviv waiting to board our flight to New York and on to Chicago.  In some ways it is hard to leave, but we are ready to get home to see our family and be in church on Sunday.  I can't wait to begin to tell every one about what we learned.

Pray for our safe trip home and quick adjustment to the jet lag.