Experiencing the Land of the Bible – Tour Stop #7

Experiencing the Land of the Bible is a series of posts about places in the Holy Land that I visited on my trip in 2023. If you travel to Israel with me, many (if not all) of these are places we’ll visit as well. Each week’s post highlights the biblical and historical significance of the site, any interesting modern facts that add value, some pictures and maybe some videos I took in those locations as well. And if there’s a faith lesson to be learned, I’ll make sure to point that out as well.

Israel is a beautiful place that will not only inspire you, but totally transform your faith. You’ll never see the Bible the same way again… it will come alive in a way you never expected. If you’re interested in visiting the Holy Land, we have a trip scheduled for March 12-20, 2026. Space is going fast, but you can still get more information and reserve a spot now!

Where Are We?

At the base of the Mount of Olives, just across the Kidron Valley from Jerusalem’s walls, lies the Garden of Gethsemane. The name comes from the Hebrew gat shemanim, or “oil press.” This was where olives from the surrounding groves were crushed to release their oil.

That’s why it’s fitting that this is where Jesus’ spirit was crushed the night he was arrested.

The garden is much smaller than most people expect. Ancient olive trees, some dating back nearly 2,000 years, stretch their twisted branches over quiet walkways. Whether or not these are the exact trees, they are descendants of the same grove that stood here when Jesus prayed.

And when you stand here, you feel the weight, the silence, and the tension of that night.

Biblical Significance: The Agony in the Garden

All four Gospels record what happened here (Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22, John 18). After the Last Supper, Jesus led His disciples out of the city, across the Kidron Valley, and into Gethsemane.

Here, under the cover of night, He prayed. Not a quick prayer. Not a casual one. But one full of agony:

“My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death… Father, if You are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but Yours be done.” (Luke 22:44, Matthew 26:38-39)

It was here that Judas led soldiers to arrest Him. Here that He was betrayed with a kiss. Here that His disciples fled in fear.

Calvary was where the price was paid, but Gethsemane was where the decision was made.

Archaeological Insight: An Oil Pressed Savior

Excavations in this area have uncovered first-century olive presses and storage basins, confirming that the Mount of Olives was indeed covered with groves used for oil production. The symbolism is inescapable: olives were crushed in a press, just as Jesus was “pressed” in spirit.

Luke’s Gospel uses a medical term – “agonia” – to describe His suffering, noting that His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground (Luke 22:44). The Greek word carries the sense of intense struggle, like an athlete straining to the breaking point.

Gethsemane was the place where the Son of God felt the full weight of human fear, grief, and surrender.

Aha Moment: The Hardest Yes

The Garden of Gethsemane teaches us that the hardest battles are often won in prayer, not in public.

Jesus’ victory on the cross began with His surrender in the garden. Before the nails, before the mocking, and before the cross, there was a whispered, trembling “yes” to the Father’s will.

Faith isn’t always about mountaintop moments of glory. Sometimes it’s about kneeling in the dirt, sweating blood, and choosing obedience even when it costs everything.

At First Christian Church, we remind ourselves often that Jesus is for all people. But Gethsemane reminds us that being with Jesus often means surrendering like He did. Saying “yes” to the Father, even when the weight feels unbearable.

Reflection Prompt

Where am I resisting God’s will because it feels too heavy?
What cup have I been begging Him to take away, instead of surrendering with trust?
Pray:

Lord, give me the courage to pray like Jesus prayed in Gethsemane.
Not my will, but Yours be done.

📸 Visiting Today

Today, the Garden of Gethsemane is a place of hushed reverence. You can walk among ancient olive trees whose roots stretch deep into the same soil where Jesus prayed. Beside the garden sits the Church of All Nations, with its dark, star-studded ceiling meant to capture the somber night of betrayal.

Standing here, the beauty of the garden contrasts with the heaviness of the story. It’s a reminder that surrender often feels like death, but it leads to life.