Where Is Jesus Grave?

Jesus’ Tomb

Tomb of Jesus

The specifications of the Biblical tomb of Jesus (″Jesus’ tomb″) perfectly match those recorded in the Bible, as follows.The Bible states Jesus was buried in a tomb near Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified: ″So there they placed Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day, because the tomb was close″ (John 19:42).(John 19:42).

• The tomb of Jesus lies about 90 meters northwest of the site of the Crucifixion.
• According to the Bible, Jesus was laid to rest in a tomb ″carved out of the rock″ (Mark 15:46).
• As you can see in the image above, Jesus’ tomb has been hewn out of solid rock.
• According to the Bible, Jesus was put in ″a new tomb, in which no one had been laid before″ (John 19:41).
• The loculus (burial place) within Jesus’ tomb, where the body of Jesus was deposited by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, is depicted in the image below.
• Take note of how the rock facade slopes into a ‘pillow’ at the head (on the left), but drops off at a straight angle at the opposite end (on the right).

1. Located on the other side of Jesus’ tomb (under the region seen below) is a second loculus, which had not yet been polished, suggesting that the tomb was nearly but not quite finished and hence brand new when Jesus’ body was placed inside it.
2. ″A big stone″ was rolled ″against the door of the tomb,″ according to biblical accounts (Matthew 27:60).
3. In the groove running along the front facade of Jesus’ tomb, a 1.5-liter (50-ounce) water bottle gives an indication of the size of the stone that was rolled along it to enclose the tomb.
4. Is it possible that a wounded but still-alive Jesus managed to emerge from the tomb by Himself?

• It would have been difficult to roll the stone away from the tomb by pushing it from behind; rolling it away from within the tomb with nothing to grab onto by a severely wounded man would have been impossible.
• Could Jesus’ followers have shown up and rescued Him from his captivity?
• That option, or more specifically the prospect of Jesus’ disciples stealing His corpse from the tomb, was eliminated when the chief priests and Pharisees petitioned the Roman ruler Pontius Pilate to ″close″ Jesus’ tomb and station guards, which Pilate allowed.
• No matter how bravely they attempted to enter the tomb, Jesus’ followers were no match for the armed Roman soldiers who protected the tomb with their lives, knowing that failure to protect the Roman seal would result in their own execution if they did not.

• Theorists must explain how someone whose back had been shredded by Roman flogging, whose wrists and feet had been crushed and punctured, whose shoulders had dislocated on the cross, whose torso and vital organs had been pierced by a spear, and who had been confirmed dead by multiple Roman soldiers – trained killers – could have come back to life in the first place.
• As you can see above, the angels’ words from Luke 24:6 concerning Jesus’ resurrection are engraved on the door of the tomb, which reads: ″He is not here, since He has risen.″ How can we be convinced that Jesus resurrected from the dead?
• Despite all Jesus said and accomplished, if He had died and remained dead, Christianity would not have been able to get off the ground.
• Consider things from the perspective of Jesus’ disciples.
• They followed Jesus around for three years, witnessing incredible miracles along the way.

1. All but one of them ran and hid after Jesus was crucified, fearful that they would be detained and murdered along with the rest of the disciples.
2. But barely six weeks later, they marched up to a vast throng in Jerusalem and firmly stated that Jesus, ″whom you killed″ (Acts 2:36), ″this Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.″ (Acts 2:32).
3. In those six weeks, something occurred that was both significant and unexpected – something so significant that it reinforced their belief in Jesus as God more than all of His miracles (see Tabgha) that they had observed during the preceding three years combined.

But what could be more spectacular than witnessing Jesus cure the ill, restore sight to the blind, feed a multitude of people, quiet a storm, and walk on water?Not what Jesus did, but rather what He couldn’t do, made the difference this time: Jesus couldn’t stay dead.During those six weeks, they had witnessed and conversed with the physically risen Jesus, who demonstrated His divinity and power over death, and who even ate in front of them to demonstrate that they were not witnessing a supernatural apparition.Consider the situation from the perspective of those who were there when the disciples made their announcement.Having heard that Jesus, whose death they had demanded, had returned and that He is now their ″Lord,″ it was the last thing they wanted to hear (Acts 2:36).If Jesus hadn’t risen from the dead, they would have responded with a cry of their own ″What exactly are you referring to?

• Jesus is no longer alive, and we know exactly where his body is interred!″ When the disciples listened in quiet instead of questioning them, 3,000 of them became Christians right there and then (Acts 2:41).
• Why did they do this?
• The only reason is that they were unable to refute the reality of what Jesus’ followers had declared: that Jesus had actually risen from the grave, therefore demonstrating His deity and proving His divinity.
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Jesus in India

In the aftermath of his crucifixion, Jesus (peace be upon him) made his way towards India, where he would continue his mission with the Lost Tribes of Israel.A further point of contention is that his mausoleum, which contained his body, has just been re-discovered in India, where it may still be visited today.Additionally, Ahmadi Muslims argue that this view is supported not only by the Holy Quran and the Sayings of Muhammad (sa), but also by the Holy Bible itself.

• Continue to recite!

The Kashmir Tomb

According to the locals, the tomb of Jesus in Kashmir is known as Rauzabal, which literally translates as ″Honored Tomb.″ It is known as the tomb of Yuz Asaf, which may be derived from the Buddhist term Yuz Asaf (see link), or it may be derived from the names Yusu or Yehoshua (Jesus) the Gatherer.In accordance with local legend, the person entombed was a prophet of Ahle-Kitab, also known as the People of the Book, and his name was Isa, which is the Quranic term for Jesus.According to the historical official papers preserved by the present custodian of the tomb, the prophet Yuz Asaf came to Kashmir from the West (Holy Land) during the reign of Raja Gopdatta (c.

• 1st century A.D.) to establish a new kingdom.
• Professor Fida Hassnain, a noted historian and former Head of Archaeology for the State of Kashmir, has undertaken some of the most thorough study on the tomb.
• Professor Hassnain is now retired, but her work on the tomb is still ongoing.
• The orientation in which the burial is oriented indicates that it is a Jewish tomb.
• A footprint etched in stone, an artistic depiction of the crucifixion’s scars, is located next to the tomb.
• Continue to recite!

There will be more!

The Messiah ibn-e-Maryam, some current scholars maintain, has not died, but has rather been raised alive to heaven and is present in heaven with his physical, worldly body and life, according to the Bible.And they assert, with great bravado and insolence, that the term tawaffi, which has been used in regard to the messiah does not imply death, but rather ″to take completely.″ In other words, the body was carried away with the soul as well.However, to interpret it in this manner is clearly fictitious.

• The Qur’an, in its language, has utilized this term to refer to the taking of the soul and death in every place where it appears.
• This same meaning may be seen in all of the Prophet Muhammad’s ahadith and sayings (sa).
• Since the beginning of human settlement on the Arabian Peninsula and the development of the Arabic language, it has not been demonstrated in any ancient or modern literature that the word tawaffi has ever been used to refer to the taking of a body.
• As a result, whenever Allah’s name has been applied as a verb to an individual human person, it has always meant merely causing death and taking away the soul, never implying that the body was taken away as well.
• In the Arabic language, there is no such thing as a dictionary that provides something opposite to this.
• The specialists of the language have not said any word or saying that is in opposition to this.

1. It follows that the possibility of a different meaning is completely eliminated.
2. I swear by Allah the Magnificent that if anyone presents proof from the Holy Qur’an, any hadith of the Holy Prophet(sa), poetry, odes, or ancient or modern arabic prose that the word tawaffi as a verb attributed to Allah is used in relation to an animate individual, and that it means anything other than causing death and taking the soul, that is to say that it also means the taking of the body, then I will give such a person an (Ruhani Khazain, vol.
3. 3, Izala Auham, pgs.
4. 602-603; Ruhani Khazain, vol.

• 3, Izala Auham, pgs.
• 602-603) Continue to recite!

Jesus’ Burial Tomb Uncovered: Here’s What Scientists Saw Inside

Researchers got the opportunity to explore the holiest location in all of Christianity for only 60 hours throughout their investigation.Here’s what they came up with.JERUSALEM Researchers have continued their investigation into the site where the body of Jesus Christ is traditionally believed to have been buried, and their preliminary findings appear to confirm that portions of the tomb are still in existence today, having survived centuries of damage, destruction, and reconstruction of the surrounding Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem’s Old City, as well as centuries of damage, destruction, and reconstruction of the surrounding church.

• The tomb, which is the most revered location in the Christian world, presently consists of a limestone shelf or burial bed that was hewn from the cave’s wall, and it is the most visited site in the world.
• Since at least 1555, and most certainly centuries before that, the burial bed has been surrounded by marble cladding, which is said to have been installed to prevent enthusiastic visitors from taking parts of the original rock home as mementos.
• When the marble cladding was initially removed on the night of October 26, an initial assessment by the restoration team from the National Technical University of Athens found merely a layer of fill material below.
• The discovery of another marble slab with a cross cut onto its surface occurred while the researchers continued their constant labor over the period of 60 hours.
• After being discovered intact in the middle of the night on October 28, just hours before the tomb was to be resealed, the original limestone burial bed was discovered.
• ″I’m really amazed.

1. Because I was not anticipating this, my knees are trembling a little,″ said Fredrik Hiebert, archaeologist in residence at National Geographic.
2. ″I’m shaking my knees a little bit.″ Despite the fact that we can’t be certain, it looks to be visual confirmation that the site of the tomb has not changed through time, something scientists and historians have been wondering about for decades.
3. The researchers also discovered that ancient limestone cave walls still remain within the Edicule, or shrine, which was built around the tomb in the nineteenth century and now encloses it.
4. To allow visitors to see one of the cave walls, a window has been carved into the southern interior wall of the shrine.

• ″This is the Holy Rock that has been adored for ages, but it is only now that it can be seen,″ said Professor Antonia Moropoulou, the Chief Scientific Supervisor in charge of the conservation and restoration of the Edicule.

Was This Really the Tomb of Christ?

While it is archaeologically impossible to say that the tomb recently uncovered in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is the burial site of an individual Jew known as Jesus of Nazareth, there is indirect evidence to suggest that the identification of the site by representatives of the Roman emperor Constantine some 300 years later may be a reasonable one.The oldest descriptions of Jesus’ burial originate from the Canonical Gospels, the first four books of the New Testament, which are considered to have been authored decades after Christ’s crucifixion around A.D.30.

• There are differences in versions, but they all describe Christ being buried in a rock-cut tomb belonging to Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy Jewish disciple of Jesus.
• While the specifics differ, the overall picture is similar.
• Archaeologists have discovered more than a thousand of these rock-cut graves in and around Jerusalem, according to Jodi Magness, an archaeologist and National Geographic grantee.
• Each one of these family tombs comprised of one or more burial chambers with lengthy niches carved into the sides of the rock to accommodate individual bodies.
• ″All of this is absolutely compatible with what we know about how affluent Jews disposed of their deceased in the time of Jesus,″ adds Magness.
• ″This does not, of course, establish that the incident was historical.

1. The fact that they were familiar with this tradition and these burial traditions suggests that the gospel stories were written by people who were familiar with them, whatever their origins may have been.″

Outside the City Walls

Jewish tradition barred burial within the walls of a city, and the Gospels state that Jesus was buried outside of Jerusalem, near the scene of his execution on Golgotha (″the place of skulls″) (″the place of skulls″).A few years after the burial is claimed to have occurred, the walls of Jerusalem were extended, bringing Golgotha and the surrounding tomb within the city.When Constantine’s emissaries arrived in Jerusalem about A.D.325 to identify the burial, they were purportedly guided to a shrine erected by the Roman emperor Hadrian some 200 years before.

• Historical accounts claim that Hadrian had the temple erected over the grave to show the primacy of Roman state religion at the location treasured by Christians.According to Eusebius, Bishop of Caesarea, the Roman temple was dismantled and excavations beneath it uncovered a rock-cut tomb.
• To reveal the tomb’s inside, the cave’s roof was torn off, and a chapel was erected around it to protect it from the outside world.
• During the twentieth century, excavations within the Church of the Holy Sepulchre found remnants of what is thought to be Hadrian’s temple as well as walls from Constantine’s original church.
• The church was entirely destroyed by the Fatimids in 1009 and rebuilt in the mid-11th century.
• Archaeologists also recorded an old limestone quarry and at least half a dozen more rock-cut graves, some of which may be seen today.The presence of other tombs of the time is valuable archaeological evidence, according to Magness.
• ″What they show is that in fact this area was a Jewish cemetery outside the walls of Jerusalem in the time of Jesus.″According to Dan Bahat, former city archaeologist of Jerusalem, ″We may not be absolutely certain that the site of the Holy Sepulchre Church is the site of Jesus’ burial, but we certainly have no other site that can lay a claim nearly as weighty, and we really have no reason to reject the authenticity of the site.”

Months of Restoration, Decades of Study

The burial bed has been resealed in its original marble coating over the course of the previous few days, and it is possible that it will not be revealed for hundreds of years or possibly millennia.It is the goal of Moropoulou and her team to ensure that the architectural conservation they are performing will survive forever.Prior to the rock being resealed, however, significant documentation was carried out on the surface of the formation.

• A careful review of the data gathered when the burial bed and cave walls were exposed, according to archaeologist Martin Biddle, who published a seminal study on the history of the tomb in 1999.
• Biddle believes that only by carefully reviewing the data gathered when the burial bed and cave walls were exposed can we truly know, or understand why people believe, that the tomb is indeed the one in which the Gospels claim Jesus’ body was laid.
• In addition to other tombs in the area that must have been of great significance because they are covered with crosses and inscriptions painted and scratched into the rock surfaces, Biddle says, ″the surfaces of the rock must be examined with the greatest care, I mean minutely, for traces of graffiti.″ ″As Biddle points out, ″the problem of graffiti is vitally critical.″ ″We know that there are at least a half-dozen more rock-cut graves beneath various portions of the cathedral,″ says the researcher.
• So what was it about this tomb that convinced Bishop Eusebius that it was the tomb of Christ?
• He doesn’t say anything, and we don’t know what he’s thinking.
• I don’t believe Eusebius made a mistake—he was a brilliant scholar—so there is certainly some proof if one is simply willing to search hard enough.″ As a result of their efforts, the National Technical University of Athens’ crew has continued its renovation work on the Edicule.

1. For at least another five months, conservators will be strengthening, cleaning, and documenting every inch of the shrine, accumulating crucial information that will be studied by scholars for years in an effort to better understand the origins and history of one of the world’s most hallowed locations.
2. Explorer, which premieres on the National Geographic Channel in November and takes an in-depth look into the holy city of Jerusalem, is a must-see.

Where is the Tomb of Jesus? Holy Sepulchre vs. Garden Tomb

For most Christian tourists in Jerusalem, and especially the ‘first-timers’, the location of Jesus’s death and resurrection is at the top of their itinerary.Almost everyone wants to go to “the spot” to pray and to worship.And to put oneself in the shoes of a 1st century follower.

• Ironically, this is not exactly a simple process.
• There are relatively few spots in Israel where everyone believes “this is the exact spot” where a certain biblical event happened.
• Crucifixion and burial of Jesus is no different.
• Personally, I know of not two, but three possible sites where it may have happened.
• I’ve heard guides and believers alike present sophisticated arguments, persuasive evidence and impassioned views as to why their place is the one.
• In my continuous experience of conducting Ezra Adventures trips to Israel, it’s a topic I have regularly.

1. Here is what you will hear about the two most popular locations, The Church of the Holy Sepulchre and The Garden Tomb.

Location of Jesus’ Death & Resurrection: What We Know

It is important to understand what we are searching for in these sites before we begin examining them.The most accurate depiction is found in the book of John: ″As a result, they grabbed Jesus and led Him out, bearing His own cross, to a site known as the Place of the Skull, which is known in Hebrew as Golgotha.″ 19:17 (John 19:17) ″Now there was a garden in the location where He was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had yet been put.″ Consequently, they placed Jesus there since it was the Jewish day of preparation and because the tomb was nearby.″ John 19:41-42 (KJV) There was a spot beyond the city walls known as ″the place of the Skull,″ which was near a garden with a new (unused) tomb.It was dubbed ″the place of the Skull.″ However, before we jump to any conclusions, we need have a look at some historical and archaeological evidence.

Holy Sepulchre – History and Background

Considered to be the traditional location of the crucifixion and the tomb, this area is hard to conceive in Biblical days.Mainly because it is now “inside” a big stone church.Nevertheless, church history claims that early believers congregated at this area as early as the mid first century to pray and worship.

• The Romans destroyed Jerusalem towards the end of the 1st century.
• There is evidence that in early 2nd century the Romans erected a pagan temple at this area, devoted to Greek gods.
• This truth is intriguing and crucial to contemplate.
• Because when the Romans would capture a city or region, they would erect temples at regionally significant spiritual or religious landmarks.
• They did so to stamp out indigenous religious traditions with the purpose of integrating the populace to Roman culture.
• However, there is no mention of a prominent historical Jewish site of worship at this area.

1. Something of local and spiritual significance must have happened here that inspired the Romans to erect a pagan temple.

Search for the Hill and the Tomb

The location of ″the place″ was sought after by Constantine’s mother Helena later in the 4th Century.As a result, she directed that a church be constructed around this place.However, despite the fact that there is significant disagreement concerning her mission and goal, a common 4th century Byzantine style church in the shape of a cross was erected here.

• The structure would be constructed in a traditional manner by a team of builders.
• It is intended that the most important relic or treasure of the church be placed on top of the cross, as shown above.
• Many times throughout the course of the ages, the church has been completely demolished, rebuilt, and completely renovated.
• In spite of this, if you know where to look in this church today, you may find a room that is several hundred years older than the rest of the building.
• Leave the people in the big rotunda and pass via an archway.
• Upon entering, you will find yourself in a tiny compartment that once housed the head of the cross from the early Byzantine style.

1. The tomb, which has been carved out of the rock and has been dated to the 1st century, is the resting place of a rich family.

Garden Tomb – History and Background

The favorite evangelical choice, The Garden Tomb is a wonderful place.Relatively recently found, in compared to the old church, this place was discovered by in 1842.It was initially noticed by Greek landowners hunting for water.

• BRITISH GENERAL The Garden Tomb certainly have some interesting qualities.
• Archeology has revealed it was an old garden for more than simply flowers.
• A well, an underground cistern and a wine press belonging to the 2nd temple era were also unearthed here.
• May be a theory, but the presence of a neighboring vineyard may have given the wine that was offered to Jesus while on the crucifixion.
• A large family tomb has been carved out of the stone nearby, and it is rather impressive.
• It was discovered that there are crosses inside the tomb that date back to the Byzantine period.

1. Visitors may see a rock ledge not far from here from an overlook, which is currently collapsing but was once a beautiful sight.
2. Many think it looks like a face or a skull – maybe identifying “the site of the skull” that the Scriptures talked about.

Doubts Regarding the Holy Sepulchre 

Like with anything in Israel, there are thousands of viewpoints and reservations concerning both places.Helena, who erected the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, was not noted for her accuracy in biblical places.Perhaps prompted by other objectives, Helena often picked biblical locales herself.

• And she commanded to build churches based on visions of her personal spiritual encounters.
• It has been demolished and rebuilt multiple times during the course of the city’s history, each time in a somewhat different manner.
• Various Christian organizations through the years fought for it, then lost it, only to reclaim it and lose it again.
• Each group claimed to hold portions of the “true cross” and the authentic holy tomb.
• This had made the Holy Sepulchre into more of an eastern shrine and blurred the accuracy of it.
• Just because tradition says so, doesn’t imply it’s the actual deal.

Doubts Regarding the Garden Tomb 

The Garden Tomb, on the other hand, despite the fact that it is still outside the ancient walls today, is in far worse shape.The tomb’s history, which was discovered almost 1800 years after the event, is based on a great deal of supposition.In the mid-nineteenth century, it was determined that a neighboring granite ledge resembled a skull quite a bit.

• Soon after, excavations uncovered the remains of an old garden and wine press that dated back to the 2nd temple era.
• By the late 1880s, some years after the tomb’s discovery, many western Christian leaders were enthusiastically supporting it as ″the site.″ They were arguing for their point of view by interpreting Scripture via the use of metaphor and typology.
• While everything appeared to have the potential to fit the biblical account, science was not quite on the same page.
• Modern archeology has concluded that the tomb dates back to somewhere between the 5th and 8th centuries BC, depending on the source.
• One of the theoretical puzzle pieces did not fit together perfectly, despite the fact that the others did.
• In other words, this was not a ″new tomb″ when Jesus was crucified, but rather a tomb that had been in use for hundreds of years.

Disputes Over the Years

While that debate continues, let’s take a look back at the Bible itself.The subject of complete oneness was the final thing that Jesus discussed with His followers and prayed about before His crucifixion.In order for the world to believe that You sent Me, I pray that they may all become one, just as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You; that they too may become one with Us.″ That they may be one, as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity; that the world may know that You sent Me and that You loved them, even as You have loved Me.″ John 17:21-24 (KJV) Even in Jerusalem, where Jesus promised that his death would bring about harmony with God and with one another, this has rarely been the case in recent years.

• Unfortunately, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, as well as the Garden Tomb, have a reputation for being everything from a source of togetherness.
• Instead, they reverberate with conflicts, mistrust, and disagreements, all while the rest of the world looks on in fascination.

Conflicts at the Holy Sepulchre 

The Muslim family who has held the key to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for generations is the family who has held the key to the church for generations.Because the Christians couldn’t agree on who should be in charge, they were forced to fight.A wooden ladder may be found outside a second-story window, just above the door, which leads to the second level.

• It has been there for well over a century, purely as a result of a territorial disagreement.
• Inside the church, you’ll find not one, not two, and not even three distinct Christian faiths represented.
• No, there are six of them!
• Inside, you’ll discover chapels and places dedicated to the Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholics, Armenians, Egyptian Copts, Syrian-Jacobites, and Ethiopians, as well as other religious groups.
• When each group has time allocated for their daily services, and this is especially true on holidays, there are clear regulations in place.
• If you can stand the crowds during the holidays, you will find signs with arrows pointing in six different directions, each pointing to the genuine ″holy tomb″ of the respective religious group.

1. As if that weren’t enough, the majority of them aren’t even friendly with one another.
2. Fist fights at the church have even been documented on video and can be found on the internet.

Challenging Evangelicals at Garden Tomb

Many in the evangelical Christian world, who are aware of the internal church battles taking place at the Holy Sepulchre, are quick to pass judgment and dismiss the theological squabbles as nonsense.Generally speaking, western Christians are critical of these eastern denominations.They maintain that the Garden Tomb is a far superior setting, and ″the actual one,″ since it is more serene and ″just seems right.″ Many Christian visitors from western nations have described the Church of the Holy Sepulchre as ″spooky, gloomy, and demonic,″ completely unaware of the critical attitude that they are expressing in their words.

• They are judgmental of individuals who come to this location to invoke the name of Jesus since it is different from what they are accustomed to seeing.
• Without being vigilant, we can easily become combative, self-righteous, and distrusting of other people and situations.
• Perhaps this is the best definition of stunning division among Christians all around the world, if there ever was one….
• Unfortunately, the debates over the location of the real tomb of Jesus provide as an unfortunate illustration.

The Meaning of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection 

Fortunately, God frequently uses evil for good, contrary to what the adversary intended.By offering forgiveness and healing, the gospel proclaims a message of loving God and loving one’s neighbor as oneself.This circumstance necessitates a powerful expression of love on a global scale.

• We require grace and acceptance via the power of the resurrection, and we require this grace and acceptance AT the site of the resurrection.
• According to the Scriptures, there will be a bride (community of believers) who will be without stain or wrinkle before the end of time arrives.
• And she will be recognized by our affection.
• As a result, it is not about being correct.
• He wants to demonstrate His love via this process.
• Travelers who are unaware with the local dramas but who simply want to view and pray at the tomb of Jesus are faced with a difficult decision.

1. When I accompany people on a tour of Jerusalem, the answer is straightforward: I take them to both of the holy sites.
2. The reality is that all of the recommended places have a number of characteristics in common.
3. They are all in Jerusalem, and they are teaching us significant truths and providing us with a great deal to think about.
4. These places are all within walking distance of one another and are all within walking distance of one another.

• During the first century, everyone lived outside the city walls.
• The most crucial thing to note is that each tomb is empty.

The Empty Tomb

Today, we might easily lose sight of the purpose and continue to hunt for what Mary was looking for – the location where the corpse was laid.Mary was so preoccupied with this that she failed to notice the One for whom she was searching in the first place.Her adversary was there in front of her, conversing with her in her own tongue.

• “ And they asked her, ″Woman, what’s the matter with you?
• You’re crying.″ They asked her why she was upset, and she said, ″Because they have taken away my Lord, and I have no idea where they have put Him.″ When she stated this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and she had no idea that it was Jesus until she realized what she had seen.
• ″Woman, what is the cause of your tears?″ Jesus inquired.
• ″Can you tell me who you are looking for?″ Pretending He was the gardener, she approached Him and said, ″Sir, if you have taken Him away, please tell me where you have laid Him and I will come and take Him away.″ ″Mary!″ Jesus said to her.
• ″ Rabboni!″ she exclaimed as she turned to face Him in Hebrew.
• (This is an abbreviation for ″Teacher″).

1. (See also John 20:13-16.)

Gift of Resurrection

How many times are we desperately seeking the Lord, yet don’t see Him directly in front of us? The gift of the resurrection is that it happened! When we focus on the location and not the event itself, we are missing the point. This was the angel’s message for Mary, and applies to us today: “Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen.” (Luke 24:5-6) Come to Jerusalem, the City of the Great King, and watch your Bible come alive. Marvel at the restoration process of the city, the people and the land, according to biblical prophecy. See where Jesus walked and taught. Yet, come with your eyes firmly fixed on the One who lives and not the dead. See what He’s doing right now, hear Him say your name and be changed again and again. Join our community of monthly donors transforming lives in Israel with the love of Jesus Join Now

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Where Is Jesus’ Tomb, and Why Is it so Crucial to Christianity?

The tomb of Jesus is one of the most underappreciated aspects of the Easter narrative.After all, it was on Easter Sunday that Christ triumphed over death and departed from that burial site.So what’s the point of dwelling on his burial since he’s already triumphed over death?

• In fact, the disciples didn’t appear to give Jesus’ burial site much thought throughout their mission, which is why archeologists have yet to come to a consensus on the exact location where Jesus’ corpse was laid to rest until that fateful Sunday morning.
• Several possible locations for Jesus’ burial will be discussed in this article, including some that are open to the public and others that are closed to visitors.
• During this session, we’ll also discuss how and why the tomb is one of the most important aspects of our Christian faith’s foundation.
• Let’s get started.
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What Does the Bible Say about Jesus’ Tomb?

There is something to be said about Jesus’ tomb in each of the four Gospel stories.Let’s take them one by one and examine them.Jesus says in Matthew 27:57-61, ″I have come to give you a kingdom.″ In the latter hours of the day a wealthy businessman called Joseph from Arimathea entered the scene, who had also become a follower of Jesus.This man went to Pilate and demanded that the corpse of Jesus be returned to him.Then Pilate issued an order for the body to be sent to him.

When Joseph had removed the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and set it in his new tomb, which he had hewn out of the rock; then he walked away, rolling a huge stone against the tomb’s door and disappearing.And there was Mary Magdalene present, as well as the other Mary, who was seated across the grave.″ Jesus is buried in an unusual manner for a person who was crucified at Golgotha.The vast majority of prisoners killed there did not obtain a burial, much less one in the grave of a wealthy individual.After receiving proper burial procedures, which included embalming the corpse with oils and covering it in fabric, similar to a mummification process, Jesus is laid to rest.One of the gifts delivered to Jesus by the Magi was probably myrrh, which was thought to be one of the oils used to prevent the decomposition of the corpse.

1. The ladies who accompanied Jesus made a mental note of the location of his burial (there was likely several tombs in the area).
2. Mark 15:42-47: Mark 15:42-47: ″It was Preparation Day,″ I said (that is, the day before the Sabbath).
3. Consequently, as darkness drew, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council who, like himself, was looking forward to the coming of the kingdom of God, went confidently to Pilate and requested the body of Jesus.

• Pilate was taken aback when he learned that he had already passed away.
• When he summoned the centurion, he inquired as to whether Jesus had already dead.
• When he found out from the centurion that this was the case, he immediately handed the body to Joseph.
• So Joseph went out and got some linen fabric, took the body down from the casket, wrapped it in the linen, and buried it in a tomb he had dug out of the rock.

• Then he rolled a stone on the tomb’s entrance, sealing it shut.
• The bodies of Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph were discovered where he had been lying.
• ″There are two very crucial points to mention here.
• First and foremost, they needed to bury Jesus before Saturday (Sabbath day).
• Because it would have been filthy to touch a dead corpse, and because they would have been working on a Saturday in lieu of the Passover celebration, which is considered a no-no in that society.

Second, they roll a large stone against the tomb’s entrance.This item is quite heavy.If Jesus had died on the crucifixion instead of swooning, he would’ve suffocated in the tomb, rather than being able to just roll this big item out of the way as he did on the cross itself.This is especially true given his distressed state.

Luke 24:1-8 (NIV): ″On the first day of the week, the ladies rose extremely early in the morning and went to the tomb with the spices they had prepared.Upon entering, they discovered that the stone had been removed from the tomb but that they had not discovered the body of Jesus Christ.While they were pondering this, two guys in garments that glowed like lightning appeared near them and asked them what was going on.Because they were terrified, the ladies lowered their heads to the ground with their faces to the ground, but the men asked them, ″Why are you looking for the living among the dead?He is not present; he has ascended into the heavens!Remember what he told you when he was still with you in Galilee: ″The Son of Man must be thrown into the hands of sinners, crucified, and on the third day be risen again.″ Then they remembered what he had said.

• ″Angels are shown visiting the tomb on that tragic Easter morning in the Gospel stories.
• Others have said that guards had been stationed at the tomb (probably to prevent people from stealing the body).
• However, as an earthquake shakes the tomb, the guards escape in fear.
• It’s important to remember that these guards may have lost their lives had they not abandoned their stations.
• They would’ve taken the work seriously, and not slept off in the middle of it, as some have speculated they might have done.
• John 20:3-7 (NIV): After then, the two disciples began their journey to Jerusalem’s grave.

Both disciples were sprinting, but the other disciple outran Peter and made it to the tomb before him.He bent over and took a glance inside at the pieces of linen that were laying on the floor, but he did not go in.Then Simon Peter arrived behind him and entered the grave without a second thought.He noticed the strips of linen that were strewn over the ground, as well as the fabric that had been tied around Jesus’ neck.

• A piece of fabric was still resting in its original position, apart from the linen.″ The burial clothes that Jesus wears are left behind in the tomb when he exits after rolling away the stone.
• Some have speculated that the Shroud of Turin was made from the same linens that were used to bury Jesus in the tomb.
• The fact that if someone had attempted to steal Jesus’ body from the tomb, they would not have taken the time to neatly fold Jesus’ burial cloths and cover him in something else is also crucial to remember.
• With the Roman guards outside, they wouldn’t have had the luxury of taking their time.

1. Additionally, the Roman guards would have apprehended and killed them.

Where Is the Tomb Located?

Some potential places have been mentioned, while others are being considered.The most well-known is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where you may pay a visit to a tomb that is identical to the one described in the New Testament.However, not everyone believes that Jesus was buried at that location.Others have recommended that the Garden Tomb, which can be located in Jerusalem, be used.Normally, the general public is welcome to come and see what’s going on.

However, because of COVID regulations, they have temporarily closed the tomb to visitors.

Why Is the Tomb so Important in the Easter Story?

What is it about the tomb that is so important?Because if Jesus had not been risen from the dead, and if the disciples had merely disseminated a falsehood, the Roman officials could have simply led people to the burial site of Jesus and stated, ″Look, his body is right there,″ the situation would have been different.They, on the other hand, did not.As a matter of fact, Scripture contains tales that the Romans sought to propagate since they did not have a satisfactory explanation for why the corpse had vanished (Matthew 28:13).Neither Jesus nor his followers swooned, nor did they steal the body after it was buried.

By the time he could have opened the tomb, Jesus would have died from suffocation.Furthermore, when Jesus was stabbed on the crucifixion, water came out of him, which was a definite proof that he had died (John 19:34).In the Garden of Gethsemane, the disciples were forced to flee.They lacked the audacity to remove Jesus’ body from the tomb in the middle of the night, directly in front of a group of very vigilant Roman security guards.And for what, exactly?

1. To be subjected to death and torture in the sake of a falsehood is unconscionable.
2. No.
3. The tomb serves as a visual reminder that Jesus has been raised from the dead.

• Because Jesus has risen from the dead, we have a sense of hope that is fundamental to our religious beliefs.
• The fact that Jesus arose from the grave provides us with the opportunity to share in eternal life with him.
• Photograph courtesy of Getty Images/alessandrophoto.
• She is the author of many novels and a graduate of Taylor University’s professional writing program.

• Hope Bolinger lives in Nashville, Tennessee.
• More than 1,200 of her writings have been published in a variety of periodicals, ranging from Writer’s Digest to Keys for Kids and everything in between.
• As a writer and editor, she has worked for a number of different publishing firms as well as periodicals, newspapers, and literary agencies, and she has worked with writers such as Jerry B.
• Jenkins and Michelle Medlock Adams.
• Her modern-day Daniel trilogy, published by IlluminateYA, is now available.

She is also the co-author of the Dear Hero duology, which was released by INtense Publications and has received positive reviews.Her inspirational adult novel Picture Imperfect, which will be released in November of 2021, will also be released.You may learn more about her by visiting her website.This page is a part of our broader Holy Week and Easter resource collection, which is based on the events leading up to and following the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and includes a variety of other resources.

It is our goal that these articles will assist you in understanding the significance and historical background of major Christian festivals and events, and that they will also encourage you as you take time to think on all that God has done for us through his son Jesus Christ!What is Lent, and why is it observed each year?What exactly is Holy Week?What Is the Meaning of Palm Sunday?What is the significance of Maundy Thursday?What is the significance of Good Friday?

• What Is the Meaning of Easter?
• Easter Greetings and Prayers At Easter, the Son of God took on the sins of the world and beat the devil, death, and the grave in a single battle.
• Then, how come the most magnificent period in human history is surrounded by scared fisherman, loathed tax collectors, marginalized women, wimpy politicians, and disloyal friends?
• When you read The Characters of Easter, you’ll get to know the odd group of regular individuals who were there to witness the miracle of Christ’s death and resurrection.
• As a devotional or study for both individuals and groups, this FREE audio offers a fresh perspective on the Lenten season.
• It is available to download now.

Where Is Jesus Christ—the Grave, Heaven or in You?

″Can you tell me where Jesus Christ is?″ It’s a question that you really don’t want to put off answering for long.Not even being unsure about your answer is what you want to avoid.It is possible that if you ignore or fail to respond to this question, you will miss out on both the true purpose of your existence today and your hope for eternal life in the future.Consider this issue carefully since the answer will have an impact on the outcome of your everlasting destiny as well as your current living situation.In this piece, I’ll address the topic, ″Where has Jesus Christ gone?″ and challenge you to come up with your own response.

Where is Jesus Christ—in the grave?

If Jesus is still in the tomb, He must be simply a man, and His death must be merely that of a martyr, according to this theory.Yes, history chronicles the life of Jesus of Nazareth, who was clearly just a poor Jewish guy who lived a lowly existence from the manger to the cross, according to the evidence.Many of His countrymen just knew Him as the carpenter’s son and the son of Mary, and that was all (Mark 6:3).They considered Him to be nothing more than a poor Jewish man of low birth, with no attractive beauty or formal education, and they despised Him for it.Because of Him, they came to a stumbling block.

His bold words and conduct were viewed as a challenge to their status as well as a breach of their holy rules and customs by the religious authorities of His day.As a result, they persecuted Him right up to the point of death.His last destination was the grave, according to these folks.This may also be your persuasion in the eyes of certain readers.Is Jesus, on the other hand, still in the grave?

1. A persecutor like Saul of Tarsus would not have been able to be transformed into an apostle like Paul if this had been the case (Acts 9).
2. A living testament to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, his life-changing conversion was a source of inspiration for thousands of people.
3. In addition, there were martyrs such as Stephen in Acts 7:56, who, emboldened by the presence of Jesus during his martyrdom, could confidently proclaim, ″…Behold, heaven has been opened, and the Son of Man is standing at the right hand of God.″ I hope that witnessing such a living testimony prompts you to consider the question, ″Is Jesus still in the grave?″ When Jesus was preparing to go to the crucifixion, He stated unequivocally, ″Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it abides alone; but if it dies, it produces many fruit.″ (See also John 12:24) If Jesus was, as He stated, ″a grain of wheat″—that is, a human seed carrying the divine, resurrection life—then His death was not the end of His story, but rather the beginning of the process by which He was able to liberate the divine life that had been hidden within the human shell.

• If you insist that Jesus is still in the grave, I will be unable to persuade you otherwise.
• However, I may ask you to participate in a small experiment.
• You can start by saying something like this: ″Jesus, if you are indeed the Son of God, the ″one grain″ that died to bring out countless grains, please give me the life that You died to unleash.″ ″If You’re alive and real, make Yourself real to me,″ says the poet.

Where is Jesus Christ—in heaven?

Nonetheless, you may be thinking to yourself, ″I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who resurrected from the dead and walked out of the tomb.″ That’s amazing to hear!It is possible to be saved for all eternity if you believe that God has resurrected Jesus from the dead and acknowledge Him as your risen Lord.Therefore, it is said in Romans 10:9 that ″if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.″ In addition, you may assert that you think Jesus ascended to the heavenly realms….This holds true as well.

Specifically, Romans 8:34 affirms this by stating: ″…It was Christ Jesus who died and, more importantly, who was risen, who is also at the right hand of God…″ But is that all there is to it?According to this interpretation, your salvation is largely a future expectation of receiving the blessings of heaven, as well as a heavenly reunion with Jesus, your Savior.After that, how do you see your existence as a believer on this planet today?

Where is Jesus Christ—in you?

No sincere Christian would ever reject the fact that Jesus Christ is still present in paradise today.However, if you just perceive His physical presence in heaven, you may overlook His presence in your spirit as the resurrection life and strength to live the Christian life in the present moment.Another line in Romans 8 is verse 10, which states unequivocally, ″And if Christ is in you, while your body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is living because of righteousness,″ implying that even if the body is dead because of sin, the spirit is alive because of righteousness.″How is it even possible?″ you might wonder aloud.″How can Jesus Christ be in both heaven and my spirit at the same time?″ Allow me to pose a question to you: ″How is it possible for electricity to be present both in the power plant and your home?″ So, what exactly is my point?

Jesus Christ was killed on the cross, was buried, and was risen from the dead as a result of his sacrifice.As a result, He ascended to the heavenly realms.Because of His death and resurrection, He was transformed into a life-giving Spirit (1 Cor.15:45).As a Spirit of this nature, He has the ability to enter you.

1. He can be both in heaven, in ″the heavenly power plant,″ and ″installed″ in you, in your human spirit, depending on your circumstances.
2. In this way, He connects the ground and the heavens and is able to continuously transfer everything that He is into you, serving as your on-demand supply.
3. All that is required of you is to call on His name, which will open you up to His continuous communication.

• ″Lord Jesus!,″ you might wish to say in prayer.
• O Lord Jesus, I beseech you!
• You are to be praised for coming to this world to live as a hated man in order that You may be nailed on the cross as a sacrifice for my sins.
• Thank you for the fact that, like that one grain of wheat, You perished as it fell to the earth.

• Then, in the resurrection, you arose from the dead and breathed your divine life into my being.
• Hallelujah!
• God has elevated you far above all others to His right hand in the heavenly realm.
• Thank you for being both the life-giving Spirit and the life-giving Spirit.
• Come inside my spirit and make yourself at home with me.

Lord, thank you for reminding me that You are not only the buried Christ, or the ascended Christ, but also the indwelling Christ–the Christ who lives within me!

Resources and Further Reading:

• You might be interested in seeing this video, ″Who is Jesus?″ to learn more about how He might enter inside of you.
• You might also like reading Chapter One of the Basic Elements of the Christian Life, Volume One, which is titled ″The Mystery of Human Life.″ It is possible to order a free copy through Bibles for America, or you may download the PDF file.
• Here are some hymns and spiritual tunes to accompany this post to make it more enjoyable for you: With the help of lyrics, Christ has taken on human nature and has become a man like me.
• Jesus Christ has now been revealed as the life-giving Spirit.
• What a life you’ve led! What a wonderful sense of calm! accompanied by lyrics
• Christ has taken up residence in me

• Photo credit:  Joseph Barber

Tourists flock to ‘Jesus’s tomb’ in Kashmir

According to popular belief, Jesus survived the crucifixion and spent the rest of his life in Kashmir, which has resulted in a dilapidated shrine in Srinagar being firmly established on the must-see-in-India tourism circuit.This dilapidated temple in the heart of Kashmir’s capital is said to be the final resting place of Jesus.The Rozabal shrine, a historic structure located in the backstreets of downtown Srinagar, is a must-see.A section of the city where Indian security troops are on frequent patrol or peeping out from behind sandbag checkpoints is where the incident occurred, and the location is significant.There are still occasional conflicts with militants or stone-throwing children, but the security situation has improved significantly in recent years, and visitors are returning to the area in large numbers.

Rozabal was not easy to find the first time I went looking for it two years ago.The cab circled about a modest Muslim tomb in a city with numerous mosques and mausoleums, the driver asking for instructions several times before we finally arrived.The shrine, which sits on a street corner, is a simple stone structure with a characteristic Kashmiri multi-tiered sloping roof that is worth seeing.A watchman escorted me in and invited me to look about the smaller wooden room within, which had a trellis-like screen with perforations through it.I could see a tombstone draped with a green cloth through the holes in the wall.

1. It was closed when I returned to the shrine lately, with its gate padlocked since it had drawn an excessive number of people, which I found disappointing.
2. What is the explanation behind this?
3. As it turns out, the grave includes the mortal remains of a candidate for the title of the most significant traveler to India in history, according to an eclectic group of New Age Christians, unorthodox Muslims, and followers of the Da Vinci Code.

• ‘Crazy professor,’ as they say.
• According to official records, the tomb is the resting place of Youza Asaph, a medieval Muslim preacher.
• However, a rising number of believers think that the tomb is in reality the resting place of Jesus of Nazareth.
• They think that Jesus escaped the crucifixion over 2,000 years ago on Easter Sunday and proceeded to Kashmir to live out the rest of his days.

• ″Was there anything else they could do?
• They had no choice but to close it ″Riaz informed me of this.
• His family’s home is virtually just across the street from the shrine, and he is vehemently opposed to the belief that Jesus was buried there.
• ″ Because some insane professor claimed that the location was Jesus’ tomb, local shops have disseminated the myth to their customers.
• They believed it would be beneficial to their business.

After all of these years of tragedy, tourists would flock to the area.″ After then, it was included in the Lonely Planet, which resulted in an influx of too many visitors.″In addition, one foreigner,″ he explained with a regretful expression, ″broke off a piece of the tomb to take home with him.″ As a result, it has been closed for the time being.″ It was as if the Lonely Planet tour book to India had been written specifically for them.It had a story about Jesus’ tomb, as well as some cautionary notes about crackpots and blasphemy, which was exactly what I needed at that moment.Although they requested that I take a photograph of them in front of the shrine, they were not overjoyed when I informed them that it was closed.

The tomb of Jesus was simply another spot on their must-see list of places to see while in India as tourists.Meeting that is well-known The ruins of a Buddhist monastery, which some believe was visited by Jesus Christ.According to the Lonely Planet, there have yet to be any references to the Buddhist monastery remains that are located halfway up a slope north of Srinagar in a stunning site.The location was one that I had previously been unable to visit due to the fact that, according to a senior police official, it was ″infected with terrorists.″ However, with his 50 words of English and a concealed store of antique terracotta tiles for sale, the watchman appeared to be well prepared for the coming of mass tourist in his village.It was he who informed me that Jesus was among the religious leaders who attended a renowned Buddhist gathering here in AD80, and he even pointed me the spot where Jesus had sat in the meeting.The legends of Jesus in India are not merely for the benefit of naive visitors; they have been around since the nineteenth century.

• In an attempt to explain the startling parallels between Christianity and Buddhism – a topic of considerable interest to 19th Century scholars – they were also part of a desire among some Christians to establish the tale of Jesus in Indian soil.
• Years that have been omitted There has been speculation about the years between the ages of 12 and 30, when Jesus was not mentioned in the gospels, during which he was between the ages of 12 and 30.
• Indian Christians account for slightly more than 2 percent of the country’s total population.
• Some believe he was in India, where he was exposed to Buddhist views.
• These aren’t concepts that have completely vanished from society.
• The Church Universal and Triumphant, a Christian group established in the United States that believes Jesus lived and died in Kashmir, is the most well-known modern proponent of the notion that Jesus lived and died in Kashmir.

Furthermore, in Islam, in which Jesus is regarded as the final prophet, there is a minority legend, which has been embraced by the problematic Ahmadiyya sect, that the tomb of Jesus is located near Rozabal.Even if you propose the possibility that Jesus lived in Kashmir, professional historians are likely to laugh out loud.However, his tomb is already firmly established on the tourist circuit, and an increasing number of credulous tourists are certain that he was buried at the Rozabal shrine in Kashmir.And for those who scoff, keep in mind that others have claimed, in an equally implausible manner, that Jesus visited the United Kingdom.

• When the poet William Blake famously posed the question: ″How do you know?″ there was a popular notion at the time ″And did those old feet wander along the green of England’s mountains in the days gone by?
• And, more importantly, was the holy Lamb of God on England’s lovely meadows observed?″ How to pay attention: According to Our Own Correspondent Saturdays at 1130 a.m.
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