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The Garden Tomb in Jerusalem is one of two places where it is thought that the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus took place.
The Garden Tomb website explains:
‘Since 1894 the focus of our ministry has been Proclaiming the death, burial & resurrection of Jesus Christ to the nations, so all can know and live for the glory of Jesus. A place of worship, witness, and contemplation.
Many come with an organised group; whilst others come on their own to experience the peace, beauty and message of this Christian site. Entrance is free.
The Garden is a place where faith in the crucified, risen Lord is renewed or begun and lives transformed.’
https://gardentomb.com/
Traditionally the site of the events of the Easter weekend was thought to have been at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This dates from the time of Emperor Constantine. However, from the 1800s travel to Palestine became much easier, and visiting archaeologists and theologians began to question whether that was the right place. General Charles Gordon who first arrived in Jerusalem in 1883 was not the first to suggest the location of the crucifixion could have been at Skull Hill but he returned to England to rouse interest in the site and the raising of funds to but the Garden.
The site fulfils the description in John19:20
‘Near the place where Jesus was crucified there was a garden in which there was a tomb where no one had been lain.’
I became aware of the Garden Tomb though my counselling supervisor who, with her husband, had been volunteers there over many years. On my first trip to the Holy Land they happened to be there and a day or so after my own group tour there I went to visit them privately on a Sunday when the garden was officially closed. I had a lovely lunch with them in their apartment and afterwards Maureen invited me to go down into the garden to pray. There was such a presence of God there that I knew I wanted to go back and volunteer too. In 2016 I went for my probationary visit – you have to see if it is right for you and they have to see if you are right for the garden. I was invited to go back so it must have gone ok!
I went back each year from 2016 to 2019 and then finally, following Covid went back in September 2023 returning 16th October, after the outbreak of the war.
You are housed in an apartment within the grounds of the Garden; they are superbly equipped and tastefully decorated – everything for your comfort. The kitchen has everything that is needed. The majority of apartments are for couples but there are two that accommodate singles so I usually share with another person – this time with a delightful newly retired vicar. You have your rota in advance so you know what you are doing for the week – usually, in quieter times one shift a day [Sundays and one day off during the week] but two shifts at peak visitor times when the garden opens in the evening. Sundays the Garden is closed so is a day off, and you have one day off during the week in addition. Sometimes volunteers invite others round for a meal in the evening. It is a lovely way to get to know each other.
Our group was composed of Americans, Irish, English, Australian, Canadian, many speaking different languages so that we can lead groups round the garden speaking in their own language whenever possible. The Canadian couple between them spoke Romanian, French, English and Italian. Our head guide speaks Spanish and a local guide speaks Portuguese. Volunteers also come from Asia, China and Malaysia, Sweden and Holland to name a few. There is often a mid week evening gathering.
So what does a volunteer do exactly? Tasks of course have changed over the years but I am going to talk about my recent visit.
The first event of the day is worship at 8 a.m. beautifully led by the wonderfully gifted members of the staff. There is a large local permanent paid staff who tend to the cleaning, gardening, finance, shop, logistics, group bookings – and everything needed for the smooth running of the Garden.
Just before 8.30 you go to your appointed task for that shift, or enjoy a morning off before your afternoon shift at 1.30 p.m. There are three main tasks.
Welcoming the tour groups and walk in visitors by the entrance gate.
The preparation of communion. After the tour, a group can have a meeting in one of the many meeting places in the garden, with the elements of communion provided. The task here is the preparation of the elements, delivering them to the right place and collecting them later.
Guiding, leading tour groups or smaller groups round the garden.
A short introduction and some background to the Garden
We move to Skull Hill, the place where it is thought Jesus was crucified . We explain the reasons why this might be so. This is the place where we talk about the significance of the crucifixion and what Christ did for each one of us on the cross – we give the gospel. It is a poignant moment for many.
Next we go to the middle of the garden. We explain why we are very sure it was a garden at the time of Jesus. We then talk about the tomb, discovered in 1867, how it fits the description of all four gospels and what took place there. This again can be a very moving and significant moment for individuals.
Finally we lead them down to the tomb which they can enter and find – nothing and nobody! because Christ has risen!!
We use scripture and archaeological evidence.
That is a very quick run through of what volunteers do. Normally there are about 10 volunteers working together, coming from all over the world.
For the team, whether paid permanent staff or volunteers, prayer underpins the Garden.
Indeed, the Garden is soaked in prayer and praise in many different languages. One of the joys and great gifts of walking round the Garden is hearing worship arising from the meeting places where groups gather for their communion services. There is a very tangible sense of God’s presence.
Listening to the Holy Spirit when guiding enables us to tailor our delivery to groups; the main presentation is always followed but there can be nudges to include something the Spirit highlights. We always give the gospel. There are special moments when you can see the Spirit touching a person, revealing something to them, perhaps helping understanding move from the head to a heart connection with the Lord. There are also opportunities, when the Garden is not busy, to talk to individuals. For example, after their tour someone from a group might approach you and want to talk about their experience, what they felt God was saying to them. If their schedule allows, many people come back another time to linger in the Garden and spend time with God.
And of course the most exciting thing – we see people meeting Jesus for the first time!
It is a ministry of being prayerfully present to each person as you encounter them; to show Jesus and His love and unconditional acceptance of them. To be a channel for whatever the Spirit wants to do.
There are too the big occasions – large groups who come to hold their service; visiting renown preachers leading groups. Easter is a wonderful day. These are joyful times – brothers and sisters in large numbers worshipping together, a foretaste of heaven.
We would love to see you there!
Photos and more information about the Garden Tomb can be found on the website: www.gardentomb.com
