Life of Christ Memorial

Life of Christ
Memorial

This memorial is intended to represent the birth, ministry, death, resurrection, and the return of Christ, in a setting similar in appearance to when these events occurred or were prophesied.

Visit and see it in person!

The Life of Christ Memorial began in 2012 as an erosion control project, but God had a much higher purpose in mind! Erosion blocks and native stones were hand placed in the canyon walls behind the Memorial Chapel parking lot. With the addition of the three crosses of Calvary, the area began to take the appearance of the Holy Land. After the rock hillside was completed, a symbolic replica of the empty tomb was built and dedicated in 2014. Soon to follow was a symbolic manger in 2015 and in 2016 the Ministry of Christ and the Return of Christ were memorialized. Each area has a brass placard that explains the story with Scripture.

There are numerous visual symbols that have been observed in the Life of Christ Memorial, some of which are easily explained and others which are called "God Things", because only God Himself could explain how they happened.

This memorial is intended to represent the birth, ministry, death, resurrection, and the return of Christ, in a setting similar in appearance to when these events occurred or were prophesied.

May you be blessed by the Gospel message of the Life of Christ Memorial!
To God be the Glory!

A Savior is Born

The birth of Jesus in a manger, both fulfilled prophesy and indicated to the world that He was a king who had come to win the hearts and souls of all mankind, whether rich or poor. He said..."My kingdom is not of this world".

Christ's Ministry

The ministry of Christ lasted only about three years. The Beatitudes is one of the most memorable and most quoted parts of His ministry. A large flat rock with a larger-than-life carving of Jesus symbolizes the place where Jesus may have stood to deliver the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus or God is mentioned seventy six times, in the Bible, as "the Rock".

The Three Crosses of Calvary

The cross of Jesus represents the price that was paid for the sins of mankind and the "way" to eternal life; Jesus said "I am the way..." John 14:6. Even the Roman Centurion, who helped crucify Jesus, stood at the foot of His cross after Jesus died, and exclaimed..."Surely, He was the son of God". (Matthew 27:54 N.I.V.)

The Crosses of the Two Thieves

The crosses represent mankind, condemned without a Savior. One accepted the way to eternal life by believing in Jesus as God's Son and one rejected the way to eternal life. That same choice remains for everyone, to this day.

The Thorn Bush

At one time, numerous thorn bushes were planted in the erosion area to discourage children from playing on the steep slopes and getting hurt. When the project was started, these were removed to allow the stones to be placed. The roots of one plant survived and started to grow, coincidentally directly behind the cross of Jesus. The Romans placed a crown of thorns on Jesus' head before He was crucified, so the thorn bush was allowed to remain.

The Stairway

Initially, rocks were to be used to stabilize the entire erosion area, including the steep erosion gulley in the middle of the erosion area, but it was too steep and would not provide a safe work platform during construction. A stairway was added, using erosion blocks, to give access to the top of the erosion area and help control erosion; however, it could represent the stairway to Heaven, available to the thief and to allow all who accept Jesus as the Son of God. Coincidentally and totally unplanned, there are exactly thirty three steps from the crosses to the top of the last step, which is the most difficult. Christ was thirty three years old when He was crucified and the last year of His life was the most difficult.