Nicole: garden of gethsemane

At the base of the Mount of Olives is the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of all Nations. Unfortunately, we ran out of time and the church was about to close, but we had about 10 minutes to check the garden and the church out. By the way -- the Church of All Nations is the church we're standing in front of at the end of my other post about the Mount of Olives. We didn't have time that night to visit, so we came back this time.

Tourists galore!

Apparently we squeezed in the door right before they closed!

The garden.

Gethsemane means "oil press". Its name is fitting as there are olive trees throughout the garden. Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane the night he was betrayed by Judas and was arrested. He and his disciples prayed here the night before his crucifixion according to the Bible.

Once again, it's impossible to know without a doubt if this was the actual location. All the churches on the mount claim to contain the "actual" site. Unfortunately, my camera doesn't do so well in low lighting, so some of the photos don't have the best quality.

On the grounds of the church.

Entrance to the Church of All Nations.

Inside the Church of All Nations.

This is believed to be the stone where Jesus' sweat turned to blood.

Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Matthew 26:36-38

Knowing that he would be betrayed and arrested soon, Jesus left the disciples to pray.

He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” Matthew 26:42

But getting into an agony he continued praying more earnestly; and his sweat became as drops of blood falling to the ground. Luke 22:44