July 10-He is Not Here

Good Wednesday to you! As I continue to ponder and study the things from my pilgrimage to the Holy Land, I cant help but be amazed at how Jerusalem has had such a storied history. It began with Abraham taking Isaac up Mt Moriah and God telling David to purchase it for His dwelling place (the Temple). It amazes me that this is the very place that Jesus was trates the very best and the very worst in the span of 5 days. 


Along the Via Dolorosa (the Way of Suffering of the Savior) is the Church of the church of the Holy Sepulcher. The church was built over the “place of the skull” by Constantine (~310 AD) because after Caesar crushed the Jews at Jerusalem about 66 AD, he had the temple and all holy places torn down and a temple for Athena built. About 300 years later, when Constantine was in power, his mother (Helena) was in the process of removing the pagan temple, when a tomb was discovered that was thought to be the one Jesus used for three days. She had the Church of the Holy Sepulcher built around the site. 


Pilgrims entered church by a flight of steps from the main street of Jerusalem, through a narthex; a basilica; and into an open area, the “holy garden,” which had in it the rock of Golgotha and the Holy Sepulchre itself.


The rock-cut tomb was initially open to the elements, but later it was protected by a small building. In 614, the Persians destroyed the church, and later in 1009 it was burned, but it was later rebuilt by the Byzantine emperor Constantine IX Monomachus (1042–1055) and the Crusaders freed it from the fanatical muslims around 1099. Many of them are buried beneath the floor. 


Today, the entire place all full of history and places that are very special to all Christians are under roof and it is ran by six different denominations. 


“So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb.” Mark‬ ‭15:46‬ ‭NIV‬‬ 

““Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.” Mark‬ ‭16:6‬ ‭NIV‬‬


I (and millions of others) have seen two tombs and either very well could be “the” tomb. Both are indeed empty. No bones nor even a box for bones. Nothing there. And isn’t that the greatest message for us a Christians? There is no grave or “resting place” to visit because our Lord conquered death and the grave. “Come see the place.” 


Jesus, Savior, we praise you with all we are for your defeat of death. You alone are worthy because you alone are alive and preparing a place for us so that we may live with you. Hallelujah for the cross. Hallelujah for an empty grave! Bless us Lord and teach us your ways. Help us to live so that you could take joy in us and the lives we lead. Today we ask special blessing on those who are ill and those who are close to seeing you. Cradle them Lord and let them feel you ever near to them. We love you and can’t wait to see you face to face. Amen and amen. 


Love you dear one,

Pam




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