The exact place where Jesus was buried is a matter of some conjecture, but the site of the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem has the ‘look’ and ‘feel’ many expect of such a historic site

Worship and wonder

Chris Cartwright reflects on his visit to the garden tomb and on the wonder and importance of the resurrection for us as believers

Some years ago I had the opportunity to lead a tour to Israel with a group from City Church Cardiff.

Visiting the site of the Garden Tomb, we were introduced to our tour guide, who welcomed us in a warm, thick Lancashire accent. When he knew we were ‘Elim’ ministers, he became more animated. When he saw my name badge, he asked me, “Are you any relation to Desmond Cartwright?”

“Yes,” I replied, “he’s my father.”

Excitedly, he announced to the tour party that he had been a member of the Marton Elim Church, Blackpool, when my Dad had been the pastor, and that the last time he’d seen me I was in his Sunday school class. That visit to the Garden Tomb lives in my memory for an unlikely reunion with a dear man of God who, along with his family, had been such a blessing to the church and so kind to my parents in their early years of ministry.

They were farmers, and brought their passion for Jesus, energy and working ethic to serving in so many ways in the local church. I also vividly remember our group, in a moment of simple worship and wonder, taking communion together at the entrance to the Garden Tomb. The exact location of the place where Jesus was crucified is still a matter of some conjecture. Some suggest the Garden Tomb site ‘looks’ and ‘feels’ as they would hope and expect, whilst the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the site with the most archaeological evidence, leaves many underwhelmed.

The reality of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection transcends the physical place. History records Jesus really died in Jerusalem, a result of crucifixion; that he was buried in a borrowed tomb and that on the third day the stone was rolled away and he had risen from the dead.

Over the next 40 days, eye witnesses slowly but profoundly ‘saw’ him in his risen form and they worshipped him as the promised Saviour of the world. They not only formed their beliefs but founded and grounded their very lives on the unescapable reality of his literal, physical resurrection. From that moment, they began to preach and teach the radical gospel of Jesus – more than a prophet, more than a good man; the resurrection changed everything.

In our current cultural moment, many wonder if the resurrection has anything to say to us. In a world where ‘truth’ itself is under fire and where a doctrine of extreme expressive individualism encourages everyone to seek and express their own ‘truth’, does it matter if the resurrection of Jesus really happened?

I believe it does. What’s more, countless others believe so too. Men and women have come to the Bible account of the death and resurrection of Jesus, often with uncertainty and unbelief, yet found that not only is there compelling historical evidence for its truthfulness but that they can experience the power and purpose of Christ’s resurrection in their own lives.

To a young church in Corinth, the Apostle Paul writes clearly of Jesus ‘crucified’ but also of Christ risen. He assures them that this is more than mere words. Our whole faith depends upon it. The new life that Christ promises can only be possible because of his resurrection.

He goes even further. Paul says, “If Christ has not been raised [our] faith is futile and we are still in our sins.” Even more, Paul says, “If we only have hope in Christ for this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.”

That leads the Apostle Paul to declare with certainty and confidence: “But in fact Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead.”

It has never been more important to believe and tell others that the message of Jesus is of the only Son of the only God, coming in flesh to die for our sins and to rise from the grave to bring us new, eternal life.

This Easter let us pray for fresh wonder and worship as we respond to the risen Lord, and for courage and faith to proclaim the power and purpose of the resurrection of Jesus for this generation.

This article first appeared in Direction Magazine. For further details, please click here.

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