Garden of Gethsemane

Located on the Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane contains a garden of Olive trees, some as old as 900 years. Though no particular trees were likely there at the time of Christ, some of the trees most likely came from the roots of those that grew anciently. Olives, in the holy land are a staple of life. The oil from them, when pressed, came out blood red. The term, Gethsemane literally meant oil press.

After the Last Supper, the disciples sung a hymn, and then followed Jesus to the garden where Christ had often gone before.

Luke 22:41 - 44 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: band his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

I am always fascinated by picture the same place, but in different times. The photo below is from 1914.

The garden is still a beautiful place to come, meditate, and pray. It is an amazing thing to find yourself in the Garden and to contemplate the sacrifice of of Savior.

It hurts to know that one of his disciples, Judas betrayed him. It was here that the Roman soldiers took him, bound him, and began took him away to mock,scourge, and try him.