In Gratitude for the Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ

Several years ago my husband and I had the privilege of visiting Israel. As Easter approached this year, I have been writing that portion of my autobiography that reflects on this wonderful opportunity we had to become immersed in the land of the Bible and especially the life of Christ. This experience changed my life. The climax of our tour of Jerusalem was visiting the scenes of the last week of the Savior’s ministry.We literally, as far as can be determined, walked in the footsteps of Jesus.First we visited the traditional Upper Room, the scene of the Last Supper.This is now a medieval Franciscan building dating back to 1335 and according to the latest archaeological evidence appears to be the site of the Church of the Apostles which earlier was the Upper Room. (Matt. 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-25; Luke 22:7-30; John 13:1-30)

Leaving the Upper Room we made our way to Gethsemane on the slope of the Mount of Olives where the great atoning sacrifice took place as well as the betrayal and arrest of Jesus. The Spirit was strong as we left the hawkers of souvenirs on the streets and entered the small peaceful garden containing eight ancient olive trees. These trees are the oldest in the country. Botanists claim they may be well over 2000 years old. Josephus tells us Titus cut down all the trees in the environs of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. Whether these are trees that somehow escaped destruction or whether they grew later from the roots of previous trees is difficult to say. What we do know if it wasn’t right here, it was very close to here that Jesus took upon himself our sins. “We do not know, we cannot tell, no mortal mind can conceive, the full import of what Christ did in Gethsemane. We know he sweat great drops of blood from every pore. We know he suffered both body and spirit, more than it is possible for man to suffer and still live. We know that in some way, incomprehensible to us, his suffering satisfied the demands of justice and made mercy available to those who believe in Him.” I often think that our Savior must be hurt and so disappointed when we don’t take advantage of His great sacrifice for us. I look forward to the day when I can kneel at His feet and thank Him in person. I pray that I can be worthy of that opportunity. (Matt. 26:36-56; Mark 14:32-49; Luke 22:39-53; John 18:1-13: also read Elder Bruce R. McConkie’s talk, Ensign Nov., 1985 for more quotes)

As Jesus left Gethsemane, Judas betrayed him and Christ was taken prisoner by the chief priest, captains of the temple and the elders. Jesus was placed in a dungeon below the Palace of Caiaphas. While Jesus was in the dungeon, he was undoubtedly scourged. You can still see the holes in the walls where ropes were placed to string a person up for scourging. I was surprised to note that the dungeon cell was simply a large hole carved into the solid rock floor and the prisoner was lowered into it with a rope. This was a holy place because of Christ’s suffering but I also felt the darkness, the evil and cruelty that must have pervaded there. It was hard for me to hold back the tears as I contemplated the suffering of the Savior at this place. His apostle and friends had deserted him. He was spit upon, ridiculed and scourged. Those very people who had looked forward to a Messiah and should have recognized Him denied His divinity. Matt. 26:57-75; Mark 14:53-72; Luke 22:52-71; John 18:12-27) 

From the Palace of Caiaphas, Jesus was taken to be tried by Pontius Pilate who according to tradition was at the Antonia Fortress. These two places were some distance apart, much further than I had previously thought they would be. Within the fortress Jesus was condemned, mocked, crowned with thrones and given the cross to bear. In the floors of the area where prisoners were kept, you can still see the games that Roman soldiers carved into the floor while they were on guard duty. The ruts can be seen in the road where Jesus was made to carry his cross. We walked the path that undoubtedly Christ followed out through the Damascus Gate to Golgotha where He was crucified. Most protestant churches and the LDS Church feel that the crucifixion occurred and the Garden Tomb is located not too far outside the Damascus Gate. Golgotha or Calvary is a knoll that is presently used as a Muslim cemetery. Today at the bottom of the knoll is a parking lot. I was very surprised to find the knoll not very tall at all. This was a traditional place for stoning and crucifixions to take place so as people passed in and out of the city gate they would take note of the punishment. Today it is dirty, noisy place which is polluted from the smoke from vehicles. (Matt. 27:32-56; Mark 15:21-41; Luke 23:26-46; John 19:16-37) 

 Damascus Gate in the wall surrounding Old Jerusalem

Golgotha or Calvary

 

 In contrast to modern day Golgotha, the Garden Tomb is a place of peace surrounded by a garden.  This garden is located immediately west of Golgotha and a short block north of the Damascus Gate.  This is a traditional Jewish tomb composed of two chambers; the first served as a vestibule and in it the relatives congregated to mourn for the dead; in the second, on a shelf cut into the rock, the body was laid.  A round massive slab, like a millstone, which rolled in a groove, closed the entrance to the tomb.  Of his visit to the Garden Tomb, President Harold B. Lee said, “something seemed to impress us as we stood there that this was the holiest place of all, and we fancied we could have witnessed the dramatic scene that took place there.”   Fred and took the time to sit and meditate on the life of our Savior, our Elder Brother, our best friend, who gave His very life for us.  My heart was filled with deep gratitude for His atoning sacrifice and the knowledge that on the morning of the third day, Christ appeared as a resurrected being.  I knew then as I know now that because Christ lives, I, too, will live again someday.  (Matt. 27:57-66; Mark 15:42-47, 16:1-11; Luke 23:50-56, 24:1-12; John 19:41-42, 20: 1-18)