Beyond the Old City Walls: The Garden of Gethsemane - January 31, part 3

While in the Garden, we visited the Church of All Nation, which is believed to be the sight of the stone of agony from Jesus' night in the garden. Here I dared to cross the street to take a picture of the church.


On the church door was an inticate olive tree and a sign reminding people to be silent as they entered.


The following 3 pictures were taken inside the Church of All Nations. The rock in front of the altar is the site where we remember the words of Jesus from Mark 14:32-50: Mark 14:32-50 They went to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be distressed and agitated. And he said to them, "I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake." And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. He said, "Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want." He came and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, "Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour? Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. And once more he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to say to him. He came a third time and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Enough! The hour has come; the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand." Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; and with him there was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard." So when he came, he went up to him at once and said, "Rabbi!" and kissed him. Then they laid hands on him and arrested him. But one of those who stood near drew his sword and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to them, "Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But let the scriptures be fulfilled." All of them deserted him and fled.





Olives Trees in Gethsemane
Gethsemane means "oil press" and many olive tress grow around the garden. Botanist claim that some of the olive trees are 3000 years old. It was near this spot that Jesus prayed for all mankind, subjecting his will to the will of the Father Matthew 26:36; Mark 14:32; Luke 22:39).

Adjacent to the Church of All Nations is an ancient olive garden. Olive trees do not have rings and so their age can not be precisely determined, but scholars estimate their age to anywhere between one and two thousand years old. It is unlikely that these trees were here in the time of Christ because of the report that the Romans cut down all the trees in the area in their siege of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.



Among the olive trees was a lone rose.


Afterwards we entered a side garden where we went into a side garden and heard more stories. Following the storytelling we had a service of anointing, a time of remembering those who have had a significant impact upon our lives and our sacred journey.

We have now journeyed from the top of Mount Olives to the Garden of Gethsemane. From the top of the mount we could see Dung Gate; here we are nearly across the street from it.