The Garden Tomb

Photo courtesy of Land-of-the-Bible.com

John 19:38-42 (KJV) And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.  

Near Golgotha, where Our Savior was crucified, lies the Garden tomb. This sepulcher was chosen because it was close, convenient and available. The Sabbath was coming and they needed to bury Jesus. 

Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, two of Jesus' wealthy followers, took charge of the body. Joseph purchased the tomb and Nicodemus provided all the costly embalming spices and grave clothes.

This rock-cut tomb was newly completed and empty. The garden itself was part of a large vineyard, with a 250,000-gallon rainwater cistern and a winepress.  

It is interesting indeed that a lush, green, water-filled garden in the middle of a desert nation was where the body of our Savior was laid. Even more exciting was that Christ rose again on the third day, the first fruits from the grave. 

"First fruits" is an ancient term used by Jews to remember that everything they have is a gift from God and they were to return to Him the best, or first fruits, as an offering of thanks and praise. Jews today still celebrate Shavuot, the holiday of first fruits.

It is no coincidence that Christ rose from the dead on the morning of the Shavuot, as He is the first fruits, the very best, of the harvest. Thank you, Lord!

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Notable Quote:

James 1:17-18 (KJV)
¹⁷  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
¹⁸  Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.