In a celebration of Easter, the last week of Jesus’ life is captured through displays and tours at the Explorations in Antiquity Center .
The “Follow the Cross” walk is aimed at helping the guests to get a hands-on look at Jesus’ ministry with the setting as Israel. The tour teaches about Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and teaching at the Temple, to the Last Supper, his trial before, crucifixion and resurrection
“It’s a great Eater celebration,” said tour guide Walt Davis. “The tour gives everyone especially the kids a better look at what Easter is about.”
Davis began the tour at a place with tents, where he explained was where Jesus made his entrance into Jerusalem. He explained that the tents, made of goat and camel hair, were used as mobile homes. Jesus pitched his tent amongst other tents and , in which the phrase was coined “The Tabernacle among us originates.”
Over the course over the tour, the tour guide showed viewers a replica of place where Jesus celebrated the Last Supper , the home of Pontius Pilate, and the city where he was tried.
Aside from modern day assumptions of how the cross of Jesus’ crucifixion was created, Davis explained by showing a replica cross, that it is likely that the cross was built on a tree.Romans used trees growing along either side of a road as sites of crucifixion, and sources indicate, that crosses were often rooted trees with a crossbar. He explained that Jesus was beat 39 times, before he was forced to carry the crossbar to his place of crucifixion.
Once Jesus was nailed to the cross to die, Davis said that white blood and fluids were flowing from the body, a sign that he was definitely dead, and not still alive when he was taken from the cross.
He explained that with the doubts of the resurrection of Jesus, that there is evidence that shows that Jesus did resurrect, and his body was not taken away by someone.
“It is proof that he did rise,” said Davis. “If someone stole his body, then the swaddling that he was wrapped in wouldn’t have been in tact.”
He explained that the swaddling that Jesus was wrapped in was still found at the tomb and that if someone would have taken to the body, they would have taken the body wrapped in the swaddling.
In addition to the tour, guests are also able to participate in a meal that was common during the first century, where they learn about the importance and meaning of the Last Supper.
“Easter is the most important holiday of the Christian calendar,” said the center’s director, Derrick Lewis. “We do this to help people understand the story of Jesus and they get to see, touch, taste and feel things as they were in Jesus’ time. And people can use this as an inspiration for their faith journey. It gives them the education and opportunity to do things that you can’t do at any other museum.”
The “Follow the Cross” walk will continue through March 30. The center is also holding a spring conference March 11-13 that will discuss the meaning of the death of Jesus, a Good Friday presentation will be held on March 29, depicting the events that happened during Jesus’ last week, and an Easter sunrise celebration on Easter Sunday will entail music, drama and a message from Dr. James Fleming.
For more information, or to make a reservation, please call 706-885-0363.
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