The Day I Saw The Tomb

In addition to being a great friend, Dr. David Jeremiah is one of the most incredible Bible teachers and passionate students of God’s Word in our generation. We were honored and gratified when he asked us to tour Israel and help lead in worship about three years ago. Now, this should begin with my confession that a tour of Israel was not on my bucket list of things to do. Not being negative, but that was going to be a long trip with a lot of flying—and having been blind from birth, what was it going to mean to me?

From that standpoint, I could have been in Israel, London or Alabama. However, Dr. Jeremiah invited my wife, Kimberly, and manager, Bob Rodgers, and his wife, Gayle, to make the trip. And, as an Israel tour was at the top of the bucket list for Kimberly and Gayle, we eagerly accepted the invitation.

Soon after arriving in Israel and having a day to adjust to jet lag, it was time to begin. It didn’t take long that first morning to realize this would not be just another “tour”!

We began an almost two-week tour under the direction of Turning Point Ministries and organized by the incredible staff of Inspiration Travel. The attention to detail was amazing and everything went off without a glitch.

There are so many memories; we could not begin to tell them all!

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Leading more than 900 people in worship and then hearing Dr. Jeremiah (“Dr. J”) teach while standing and sitting in places we had heard about from our very early days in Sunday School was an experience that is simply unforgettable.

We walked where Jesus walked, sat under Dr. Jeremiah’s brilliant teaching in places Jesus and the disciples taught, swam in the Dead Sea, had baptismal in the Jordan River, walked the Via Dolorosa, visited Golgotha, walked through the marketplace, sailed the Sea of Galilee and so much more.

When asked about my favorite moment of the tour, however, one that comes to mind that I cannot—and will not—ever forget is the Garden Tomb.

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We started that morning by gathering in the Gethsemane garden. After Scripture and teaching by Dr. J, we had a communion service. Dr. J asked that I sing Rise Again. While loving the song since I was a young boy, it came alive to me that morning in the garden, and I can never sing it again without returning to that moment.

After communion, we gathered to hear the tomb’s history before the tour began. As the tour guide approached, he looked in my direction and, from what others tell me, did a “double take.” He shouted out, “Gordon? Gordon Mote? Is that you? I have seen you many times on the Gaithers!”

He introduced himself to Kimberly and me before beginning his presentation. When we started the tour of the tomb, Kimberly described where we were and the details as best she could. The inner sanctum, where it is said that the body of Jesus lay, has a door with bars and a lock enabling you to see—but not enter.

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When we approached, the tour guide found Kimberly and me again and said, “You wait right here; I’ll be back.” Not knowing what he was doing, we followed instructions and waited. In a few moments, the guide returned with a special set of keys.

He unlocked the door and guided us into the inner sanctum. He had me kneel near where the body of Jesus once lay. Gently taking my hands, he placed them on the tomb walls. Then, in a moment etched in my memory, he set my hands on the stone where Jesus’ body once lay.

All my life, I have believed that Jesus died and came alive again. I believed that He did it for me.

Today, I can tell you with assurance: I’ve been there, inside the tomb and inner sanctum. I’ve felt the walls and floors! I have touched the place where the body of Jesus was to have forever stayed according to the plan of men.

I have seen the tomb. He is NOT there! He IS risen!

Are you ready to walk where Jesus walked?

Like Gordon, you may not know how deeply a journey to Israel will impact you—until you stand in the very places where our faith was born. From the Garden Tomb to the Sea of Galilee, a tour of the Holy Land offers moments that awaken your spirit and stay with you for life.