Biblical Moment 10: Celebrating the Easter Resurrection of Jesus Christ in the Empty Holy Sepulchre!
John 11:25-26: “Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
Birthplace, Manger, Baby Jesus, and Christmas Tree from Bethlehem; Calvary and Empty Tomb with Risen Lord Above at Chiurch of the Holy Speulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem (From Lower Left Corner Clockwise)
Much has been written on Day 6 of my Spiritual Journey to Israel & Palestine!
Suffice it to say that the day started with the birth of Baby Jesus in Bethlehem; moved to the Old City to witness the death of Jesus on the Cross for our sins at Golgatha; and ended joyously with the Easter Resurrection of Jesus Christ!
The tomb was indeed empty and housed me for a good 15 minutes or so of contemplation, prayer, and joyous celebration!
The bus from Bethlehem dropped me off near the Damascus Gate of the Old City. After a piece of AFC (Arab Fried Chicken) and some more charge for me and my phone I decided that it is time for me to enter the Old City.
I head through the Damascus Gate seeking the Church of the Holy Sepulcher because that is what Christians do. We seek the Alpha and the Omega, the birth and death of Jesus and know that the Omega becomes the Alpha, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ we have new life now and for all of eternity. Glory to God, Jesus, and The Holy Spirit Forever.
I sought and I found the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Moments later I found myself in the tomb with Jesus where he died and was resurrected. No lines, no wait, almost as if it was pre-destined. Though we do not know the hour of our death I imagine it will be something like the day I had today. Only closeness, human and spiritual freedom and completeness forever.
Here is what I wrote the following Easter:
Al-le-lu-ia! The Tomb is Empty! The Lord Jesus has Risen!
Al-le-lu-ia! Happy Easter Everyone!
My first full day in Jerusalem on the month-long Spiritual Journey to Israel & Palestine, the 18th of December last year, I took a bus to Checkpoint 300, crossed into Palestine, and walked two miles through Bethlehem up to the Church of the Nativity. Blessed was I to enter the grotto underneath the altar where Jesus was born and to witness the Noon Ceremony.
Later that same day in the evening I took the bus back to the Old City and went to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher where the last five Stations of the Cross are located. It was late in the evening almost time for the Church to close for the night.
Empty Tomb in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where Christ was resurrected from the dead. Note the Risen Lord Above! Alleluia!
From the Cross on Golgotha (Calvary) upstairs I went downstairs past the Stone of the Anointing (and the large mural depicting him being taken down from the Cross) to the Empty Tomb provided by Joseph of Arimathea where the crucified body of Jesus was laid to rest. The very Tomb from which Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was resurrected on Easter Sunday!
There was no line, only an attending priest seated outside this stand-alone small building called an Aedicula. Respectfully I entered the Aedicula, first to a small room called the ante-chamber and then through a small opening into the Holy Sepulcher or Tomb of Jesus itself. There I knelt, lighted a candle of gratitude for all my ancestors passing along to me this Christian faith, especially my Mom and Dad, and prayed a prayer of gratitude with hope of enlightenment for the rest of my life.
Not knowing any better, and being just me, I stayed in there for 14 minutes and took 40 pictures, until the priest came in and guided me outside. During the time in the Holy Sepulcher of Jesus I felt an amazing sense of peace> How could one not being at the very place where Jesus was resurrected by God according to Scriptures. I had my Family Bible with me and also felt strongly the presence of The Holy Spirit. I imagine, God Willing, that I will feel and will have the same sense of peace and sense of spiritual being the day that I pass into Eternal Life.
Here are the 40 pictures in ordered sequence with two taken of me praying by another pilgrim… I hope sharing these pictures and this experience brings all closer to our Resurrected and Living Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Our Father, and The Holy Spirit. Amen! Al-le-lu-ia the Lord has risen! Al-le-lu-ia!
John 11:25-26: “Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
(Andy Reistetter; Facebook Post with 40 Pics; 4-20-19)
Comment Highlights:
Praying inside the Empty Tomb, for myself, family, friends, & strangers… for peace in our world!
Maria Isabel McIntyre: Beautiful pictures. I enjoyed them very much! How special to have the opportunity to go there during Christmas!
Roger Alcerro: Felicidades por su viaje a tierra Santa, recuerdos lindos de lo que vivió y padeció nuestro Señor Jesucristo.
Roger Alcerro: Congratulations on your trip to the holy land, beautiful memories of what lived and suffered our Lord Jesus Christ.
Heidi Moya: Thank you ? ❤️? and Happy Easter – I was there many years ago but I was at an age that couldn’t even begin to articulate the glory and exceptional depiction as you so eloquently did. You brought it to life, Andy❤️?❤️
Scott Santos: Wow, absolutely amazing… thanks for sharing
Valerie Tidwell: Andy beautiful love the photos.
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