HOLOCAUST MUSEUM, CHURCH OF ST JOHN, AND GARDEN TOMB

On our last day with the first group, we began with a visit to the Holocaust Museum.  Photos were not allowed inside the museum.  We had only an hour, which was NOT enough.

Entrance to the Holocaust History Museum

Inside the museum were numerous exhibits intended to chronicle not only the plight of the Jewish people in Europe prior to and during World War II, but the focus was on stories of individual people.  It puts a personal touch on the atrocities that were inflicted on the Jews.  I have heard of Auschwitz, and imagined the horror.  But, this exhibit touches deeper in my heart.  Through the photos and diaries and possessions of those who were tortured and killed simply for their beliefs and heritage, it became personal for me.  If that was the intent of this exhibit, it worked.  It is unbelievable that this type of prejudice has taken place in recent times.  Yet, we continue to see it around us in our lifetimes... Saddam Hussein, ISIS, Sierra Leon, Afghanistan, and many, many other examples... even the persecution of blacks in the US.  When are we, as a human population, going to live in peace as Jesus taught us?  It was a thought provoking, somber bordering on depressing experience.

Shrine above where John the Baptist
is believed to have been born.

Next was a visit to the church of St John Ba Harim (St John of the Mountains).  John the Baptist was born to Zacharias and Elizabeth, who are believed to have lived in this area.  Mary visited Elizabeth after the angels announced to Mary that she would give birth to Jesus.

The church contained many paintings honoring John and his parents, including the Song of Zacharias, Jesus being baptized by John, John's imprisonment, and his beheading.

This was another place for reflection on the sacrifices made by John and Jesus for their beliefs, and for our sins.

Ginger touching the place where John the Baptist
is believed to have been born.

Our last visit for the day was to the Garden Tomb and site where the crucifixion is believed to have taken place.

Skull Hill.  From the rock formations,you can make out 
what seems to be the eyes and chin of a skull

In the early 1800's, a German theologian suggested the notion that the crucifixion took plus underneath an area known as "Skull Hill" rather than in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.  This idea took hold in Great Britain, resulting in the formation of the Garden Tomb Association in 1893, and purchase of the property in 1894.

Rich man's tomb.  Could this be the tomb of
Joseph of Arimathea?

The bible makes reference to "the place of the skull".  We viewed the rock formations, walked the garden, and visited the inside of the tomb.  As our guide walked us through the area, citing references from the bible, it seems plausible that this could be the place where Jesus was crucified, placed in a tomb, and resurrected.


As I took it all in, I wondered:  Am I looking at the place in which Jesus was crucified?  At this moment, am I one of the onlookers to His death and resurrection?

Communion in the chapel at the Garden Tomb

We then worshipped and had communion in a small chapel inside the rock of the garden.

It was a very moving and spiritual time.









Later, we had dinner, then bid "farewell" to 30 of our fellow Pilgrims, wishing them "may the peace of God be with you", as they boarded the bus for a late night flight back home.

Another couple were joining Ginger and me, along with 8 from other groups on the journey to Jordan, visiting Mt. Nebo, Petra, and Jerash.