Published on 04/18/2008

Passover starts tomorrow. This morning's New York Times reports on the debate in Israel over ways to observe it in our modern society. There was no such discussion 20 centuries ago when Jesus came to Jerusalem for his last Passover. Our tour of the Holy Land follows him south through the Jordan River valley and west into the Holy City, the ancient City of David.

Jesus entered the city in triumph on Palm Sunday. He taught in the Temple area, debated his enemies, retreated with his friends, took his Last Supper. In the Garden of Gethsemane he agonized over his call to bear our sins on his sinless soul. Here he was arrested by Judas and the authorities. From here he was dragged through six trials: a private deposition before Annas, the former high priest, two trials before Caiaphas and the Jewish Sanhedrin, and trials before Pilate, Herod, and Pilate again.

Upon his condemnation by the Roman governor, Jesus was marched to his death. The Via Dolorosa (the Way of the Cross) in Jerusalem marks the traditional path from the Praetorium to Golgotha. Catholic tradition recognizes 14 "stations" of the cross: Jesus is condemned; he is tortured; he falls with the cross; he meets his mother Mary; Simon of Cyrene takes his cross; he meets Veronica (an extrabiblical tradition); he falls a second time; he speaks to the women; he falls a third time; the soldiers strip his clothing; he is crucified; he dies; he is taken from the cross; and he is buried.

The Catholic Church has for centuries considered the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to mark the place of Jesus' death and burial. Many Protestants identify "Gordon's Calvary" and the "Garden Tomb" as more likely sites.

We come to the Holy City as tourists and pilgrims. Jesus came as "the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world" (Revelation 13:8). Because he died, we live. Because he rose, we rise. Because he came to the earthly Jerusalem, we will spend eternity in the heavenly Jerusalem (Revelation 21:1-5). Have you thanked him yet today?