2000-year-old Trees

The Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus sweated blood before telling the Father, "Not my will, but Thine be done." 

Some of these trees were witnesses... they are over 2000 years old! #israel #apictureadayofIsrael

Fit for a King

A branch from the acacia tree, which grows in dry riverbeds in the desert. Its wood was used to make the Ark of the Covenant, which carried the presence of the Almighty God.

And when His Son came to earth, its thorns were used to adorn His crown. #israel #vacationstatus #apictureadayofIsrael

Ancient Roman "Gameboard"

A Roman "game board", carved into the stone floor of the Antonia fortress, where Roman soldiers cast lots for things - including Jesus' clothing.

Jesus first stood trial before Pilate, then was beaten, flogged, and had the crown of thorns shoved on his head - all before He had to carry His cross to Calvary. #apictureadayofIsrael #israel

At the foot of Calvary

The hill where many believe Jesus was crucified.

Except that contrary to modern depiction, He would have been crucified not at the top, but much lower to the ground - so people could walk by and spit directly on His feet as they mocked Him.

Known as Skull Hill, it sits steps away from the Garden Tomb. Both are outside the city walls, and along a main road - close to the Damascus gate. Historical evidence also proves that people were stoned nearby, and just steps away a grave was found with a man's body... that had a Roman nail in his arm (proving crucifixions happened there).

The land has changed a lot over the centuries, due to earthquakes. I saw a picture of it in the 1800s, where the skull was so obvious. But even today it is evident: you can see the 2 "eyes" above the buses.

Just another bus station.... the place where the world -and everything else- changed forever. #israel #apictureadayofIsrael

Inside the Garden Tomb: it's EMPTY!

Just steps away from Skull Hill, this is tomb believed to be where Jesus was buried - and rose again. It sits in a garden, which is in the middle of modern day Jerusalem... and the garden itself is full of an indescribable peace. You feel it the second you walk in.

There's a lot of historical/Biblical evidence to this is the place being the actual tomb (mentioned in Calvary's picture), but here's one I hadn't heard before: When Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw it empty, and Jesus appeared to her, she thought He was the gardener... which means the Tomb had to have been in a garden and there had to have been an actual gardener for her to assume that. And she was steps away from a winepress, the remains of which are still there.

I got to go inside the Tomb three times, but my favorite moment was at the end of the day. Our tour ended early, and Betty and I realized we were only an 8 minute walk away. So we went and sat for an hour, watching tourists enter the tomb. Finally, the crowd dwindled, and I went in again. The girl in there left, so it was just me. And suddenly, I had to sing, praising the Risen One in the place where it happened. The acoustics were amazing; it was a moment I will never forget. I sang 3 songs, and only left because they were closing the actual garden for the day. #gardentomb #israel #apictureadayofIsrael