He is Risen. End of Story.

And the beginning of the best story of all! How appropriate to visit the Garden Tomb on our very last day. Beside it, outside the garden with winepresses and huge dug-out cistern (Joseph of Arimathea was a rich man), is the likely location of Golgotha. So much can be and has been said about this site, I'm not going to say much more (besides, it's 3 am and our plane is late leaving and my brain feels like blended falafel).

The shot on the right is intriguing. In the debate over which is the actual site of Jesus' tomb, and which is the genuine site of Golgotha, the black and white photo may have something to contribute. Taken before more recent erosion changed the "face" of the cliff, consider the face on the cliff, which looks like the two eyes and mouth of a skull. "They came to a place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull)" - Matthew 27:33.

It was so refreshing to be in this peaceful garden setting, rather miraculously aquired by the Brits over a hundred years ago, and now administered by them. The volunteer who took us around the site did a fantastic job, and also had the gospel in there -- a first. The site is so unadorned and natural. The quiet, humble God-man who wandered the streets of Jerusalem 2000 years ago is, to my sensibilities, much more present here than in the most ornate human edifice, of which we've seen many.

The One who humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross outside the city gates, is going to return to this city with power and claim the throne of his father, David, in the city of the great King. This will be a throne and a rule and a reign like the world had never seen. And he shall reign forever and ever.

For, he said, "Don't be afraid! I am the First and the Last. I am the living one who died. Look, I am alive forever and ever!" (Revelation 1:17, 18).