Experiencing the Land of the Bible – Tour Stop #8

Experiencing the Land of the Bible is a series of posts about places in the Holy Land that I visited on my trip in 2023. If you travel to Israel with me, many (if not all) of these are places we’ll visit as well. Each week’s post highlights the biblical and historical significance of the site, any interesting modern facts that add value, some pictures and maybe some videos I took in those locations as well. And if there’s a faith lesson to be learned, I’ll make sure to point that out as well.

Israel is a beautiful place that will not only inspire you, but totally transform your faith. You’ll never see the Bible the same way again… it will come alive in a way you never expected. If you’re interested in visiting the Holy Land, we have a trip scheduled for March 12-20, 2026. Space is going fast, but you can still get more information and reserve a spot now!

Where Are We?

Just outside Jerusalem’s Old City walls, near the Damascus Gate, lies a quiet, walled garden. It’s shaded by trees, filled with flowers, and isolated from the chaos of the city. This is the Garden Tomb, a site many Christians visit to reflect on the resurrection of Jesus.

Archaeologically, the exact location of Jesus’ tomb has long been debated. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre within the Old City has been venerated since the 4th century as the traditional site of Jesus’ crucifixion and burial. But in the 19th century, British explorers identified this garden site as another strong possibility. If I’m being totally honest, my head tells me the Church of the Holy Spelchre makes more sense… but having visited both, my heart tells me it’s the Garden Tomb.

Whether or not this is the place, the Garden Tomb powerfully captures what the Gospels describe: a peaceful garden, a rock-cut tomb, and the good news that “He is not here; He has risen!” (Luke 24:6).

Biblical Significance: The Empty Tomb

After His crucifixion, Jesus was laid in a new tomb, cut out of rock, belonging to Joseph of Arimathea (Matthew 27:57–60). It was located in a garden near the place of crucifixion (John 19:41). A stone was rolled in front of the entrance, soldiers stood guard, and the disciples scattered in fear.

But on the third day, everything changed. Women came at dawn to anoint His body and instead found the stone rolled away. Angels declared that Jesus was alive. The empty tomb became the centerpiece of Christian hope: death defeated, life restored, promises fulfilled.

The peaceful setting of the Garden Tomb offers a vivid reminder of that reality. It invites visitors to step into the story, just as Peter and John ran to see the empty place where His body once lay (John 20:3–8).

Archaeological Insight: A Tomb in the Garden

The Garden Tomb site contains a tomb carved out of the stone hillside with several striking details:

• First-century style: The tomb matches the description in the Gospels – cut into rock, with a groove for a rolling stone, and a chamber inside that could hold multiple bodies.
• Nearby winepress: Excavations revealed an ancient winepress and cistern, consistent with John’s description of the area being a garden.
• A Place of the Skull: Just outside the garden rises a rocky cliff face resembling a skull, which some identify with “Golgotha.”

While scholars continue to debate whether this is the actual burial place of Jesus, the Garden Tomb has become less about certainty of location and more about certainty of faith. It’s a tangible reminder that the resurrection wasn’t just a story. I was a real event that happened in a real place, at a real moment in history – the moment that is the foundation for the faith of anyone who calls themselves “Christians.”

Aha Moment: An Empty Tomb, A Full Faith

Standing at the Garden Tomb, you realize something profound: the exact location isn’t the point. What matters is that the tomb was empty.

Every religion honors its founder by venerating a tomb that still holds bones. But there is something that sets Christianity apart. Christianity is the only religion that celebrates an empty tomb.

The Garden Tomb reminds us that our faith is built on a living Savior who walked out of the grave and never went back.

At First Christian Church, this is why we exist: to help people find hope in the risen Jesus. Because if the tomb is empty, then anything is possible.

Reflection Prompt

Am I living like the tomb is empty or am I still weighed down by fear, shame, or defeat? Pray,

Jesus, thank You for conquering death and leaving the grave behind.
Help me walk in the freedom, joy, and power of Your resurrection every day.

Visiting Today

The Garden Tomb is one of the most peaceful stops in Jerusalem. Visitors can tour the tomb itself, gather for communion in outdoor chapels, and reflect in the quiet garden. The stone doorway still stands open, with a simple sign inside that declares the heart of the Gospel:

“He is not here—He is risen.”