Garden of Gethsemane

On the Mount of Olives, across the Kidron (a.k.a. Cedron) brook, are the remains of very ancient olive trees. Hebrew University botanists date the trees to be between 1,800 and 2,300 years old. The only way to be sure would be to cut one down and count the rings, which is an horrific idea.

Josephus tells us the Roman General Titus cut down every tree in and near Jerusalem in 70 AD. That would mean that these trees either escaped the ax or grew from the roots of the felled trees (which is common for olive trees).

The important thing is what happened here or very near here. “Then cometh Jesus with them (the 11 apostles) unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.” Matthew 26:36. “Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here and watch with me. And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” Matthew 26:38-39. Luke 22:43-44 adds, “And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”

In Gethsemane the Savior took upon himself the sins of all. The weight of which no mortal could have survived, only the literal Son of God. This act alone makes this area of the Mount of Olives one of three holiest places on earth (along with Golgotha and the Garden Tomb). The Great and Infinite Atonement had begun. It would be continued on the cross and completed with the resurrection.

Adjacent to the Garden of Gethsemane is the Church of All Nations (a.k.a Basilica of the Agony). It was built in 1924 with the donations of several countries. The national seals of the contributing countries are in the ceiling of the church. If you visit the church you will find it dark inside. This is intentional to symbolize night. The focal point of the church is a large rock below the altar. Tradition holds that Jesus prayed over this rock. While it is possible, a rock is not mentioned in scripture.