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"Today, I stand and chat with you in front of a really special place, the garden tomb.
It's said that Jesus was buried here after his crucifixion.
When you look at the scriptures talking about the burial of Jesus, two people are mentioned: Joseph of Arimathea, a rich man who was a secret follower of Jesus, and Nicodemus, a pharisee who actually met with Jesus one-on-one to understand his teachings and to find out who he truly was. When I read through that scripture, I can't help but think of Joseph and Nicodemus taking Jesus' body off the cross, carrying it to a tomb really similar to this, preparing His body for burial, wrapping His broken bloody body in linens and anointing His body with ointment and perfume.
I can't help but think of their heartbreak as they take His body off the cross and prepare someone that they admired, someone they loved for burial. I can't help but think of the disciples and their disappointment. Someone they followed daily for three years, someone they lived with, shared meals with, and experienced miracles with; they heard christ's teachings.
A friend, Jesus was to them.
A brother, Jesus was to them.
I can't help but think of the women at the cross.
Mary, the mother of Jesus.
I can't help but think of their heartbreak and disappointment as they watch him from afar, take his last breath.
I can't help but think of the disappointment, the heartbreak, sorrow and the grief they all felt as Jesus was laid in this tomb.
But here's the turning point.
I can't help but think of the radical, unrivaled joy that each one of those people experienced when they realized His body was no longer in this tomb. I can't help but think of the morning that was turned into dancing when Jesus himself appeared to them and said, "Here I am". I can't help but think of the joy as the angel appears to the women and says, "don't be afraid, He is not here, for He is risen.
I want to read a quote to you, to encourage you wherever you're at right now in life. Nothing can harm you permanently. No loss is lasting, no defeat more than passing, and no disappointment final.
Suffering, failure, loneliness, sorrow, discouragement and death will be part of your journey but the kingdom of god will conquer all of these horrors. No evil can resist grace forever.
I don't know what disappointment you're going through. I don't know what heartbreak you're suffering from. I don't know what grief you can't seem to shake but because jesus is no longer in this tomb and he is literally seated at the right hand of the father interceding for you and I, that means that grief cannot hold us. That means that we don't have to be heartbroken forever, that means disappointments in life don't have to last forever. With Jesus, there is resurrection life.
Friend, our darkest days are not the end, the best is yet to come for you. Put your hope and your faith in Jesus because in Him, we will always and forever have hope."
Note: This post is a transcript from the video below with a few edits. Ashley Key, Co-host of 700 Club Interactive documented her journey at the garden tomb of Jesus. Thank you, Ashley Key for sharing this with TFSx! May God continue blessing you in all you do, and may His will be done in your life.
TFSx Ashley Key
Co-host of 700 Club Interactive
04.26.22