The empty tomb in Jerusalem convinced one of Britain’s top army officers that Jesus is alive. Charles Gardner spoke to Major-General Tim Cross about the moment he believed.
A top army officer was converted after being struck by the reality of the risen Christ during a visit to Jerusalem over Easter. The experience changed him forever, and his faith is now the driving force of his life.
Major-General Tim Cross, who is now retired, recalled his dramatic encounter while on leave in Israel with his wife, Christine, during a peace-keeping post in Cyprus in 1981.
He was a captain at the time, having being raised in what he describes as ‘a typical middle class British home’.
He attended a Church of England primary school and, like many people, assumed he was a Christian. He even took the unusual step of being confirmed while at Sandhurst (the military academy), took communion during his wedding and had his three children christened.
So when the opportunity came for a short break in Israel over the Easter weekend, he and Christine hitched a ride on a United Nations plane and took in the sights of the Holy Land.
“I remember going past the bus station near the Damascus Gate and noticing the hill behind it looking like a skull.
“On Easter Sunday we visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and then attended a service at St George’s Cathedral, where it was suggested I visit the Garden Tomb, not far from the bus station.
This story is from the April 2017 edition of Direction Magazine.
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This story is from the April 2017 edition of Direction Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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