The Garden of Gethsemane
Above all, The Garden of Gethsemane is home to some very special olive trees.
To start, it is Nestled at the base of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, overlooking the old city and the Kidron Valley is the Garden of Gethsemane. Sometimes spelled Gettsemane, this garden of very old olive trees has a very new church alongside it.
Today’s Church of Gethsemane or “Church of All Nations” is a 20th century church constructed over the remains of older churches that came before it. Most importantly, it is these earlier churches, from the Crusader period and all the way back to the Byzantine period, that commemorate Jesus’ last hours before crucifixion.
The Garden
Among these olive trees is where Jesus, firstly, sat with his students and disciples and taught them, serving as their rabbi, teacher. Looking west they could all see the great Temple of Jerusalem.
The same structure that was constructed by King Herod.
In addition, It was here on the Mt. of Olives where Jesus hid from the Roman soldiers – It was here where he would eventually be betrayed and captured.
Staying up all night with his disciples, Jesus told them to “Sit here while I go over there and pray” (Matthew 26 ) It is in this garden where the students eventually fall asleep.
On top of that, It is also in this garden where Judas betrays his rabbi and guides the Roman soldiers to the whereabouts of their person.
Consequently, this garden is a somber spot and a good opportunity to reflect and meditate about the great sacrifice made for us and our sins but our one and only saviour.
– Foto: Eduardo Almeida
In conclusion, our handmade wall hanging tries to capture this moment in all its strength and what better way to display strength than through the mighty olive tree. Able to survive centuries and millennia and still give fruit. Capable to live and thrive in rough terrain and still provide beauty. Such is our walk with god. May we sit with this peace and pray as our redeemer once prayed.
