In the Garden

Church of the Holy Sepulchre
(Photo by Gerd Eichmann)

Many can recall Mary Magdelene’s encounter with “the gardener” standing outside Jesus’ tomb.  A recent archaeological discovery lends credence to this well-known story.

An Independent headline reads, “Discovery of ancient garden beneath Jesus’ burial site backs up Biblical account.”  This discovery includes “2,000 year-old olive trees and grapevines… under the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.”

John 19:41 clearly states, “Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb...”  Scholars have associated this garden with the original Garden of Eden, likening it to the rebirth of Creation.

Pastor Brian Zahnd explains that Jesus is a “gardener cultivating resurrection life in all who will come to him…  Gardeners have their hands in the humus.  (We are humans from the humus.)”

Resources

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/ancient-garden-jesus-burial-site-bible-b2727975.html

https://brianzahnd.com/2018/03/mistaken-as-the-gardener/