The Garden Tomb is run by a British Society and as you may expect is a series of beautiful gardens around the site they feel is "The Place of the Skull" near where Jesus was crucified.
After the explanations by our guide Martin we gathered to share together in Communion. A focal point from Scripture was the verse (Mark 16:8) which is the "shorter" and most likely true ending of Mark. It seemed to fit well the sense of tension, unanswered questions and bewilderment that any group will experience when trying to put together the conditions faced by our Palestinian and Arab Christian friends and the fact of the Holocaust which helped propel the State of Israel into existence.
Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.
The Resurrection had happened. It was announced to them by the Angel. The tomb was empty but their world was spinning. So too, more than once, was ours.
Interestingly we were sent to "Area C" in the Garden Tomb complex. It wasn't lost on some that our trip introduced us to Area A, Area B and Area C in the West Bank. Area A is where the Palestinian Authority has Security and Civil control (less than 12% of the entire West Bank area). Area B is where Israel controls Security and the PA controls Civil issues and Area C is where Israel controls both Civil and Security issues.
The Garden Tomb is a place for reflection and much silence. Enjoy some of the things we saw:
One final word. After reflecting on some of the group that had a 4am Delta affiliate flight and another part that had an 8am United Flight (we are 50 minutes from the airport and you MUST be there 3 hours in advance for security) The Canadian contingent plus Victoria from Chicago are pretty happy with the sweet Air Canada Flight 085 that leaves after 1pm! Leisurely breakfast followed by loading up at 9am; it doesn't get much better when you are facing a 12 hour flight.
Peace/Salaam/Shalom
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