Mt of Olives and Garden of Gethsemane

Hi all,

So sorry there hasn't been more posting.  Things get a little complicated around here.  For one, we get our little feetsies walked off all day and are pooped by the time it's time to post.  There is so much to see.  It's been so wonderful but taking time to sit and type it out and do pics and all is crazy.

Also, getting wireless is a hit and miss proposition here.

I'm going to skip ahead of what I've been posting to get you to today because it was... it was.. well amazing.

The old city of Jerusalem with the Dome of the Rock.  This
is from the Mt of Olives across the Kidron Valley.

This morning we went to the Mount of Olives where Jesus sent two of His disciples to get a donkey that had never been ridden.  The view from the Mount of Olives is so amazing.  It overlooks the Kidron Valley and Jerusalem (old city) on the other side.

The Kidron Valley looking toward the
Valley of Jehosaphat

Looking across the Kidron Valley you see a Jewish cemetary with some very old headstones in it on the Mt. Olives side.  On the other side, is the Christian cemetery.  I found out today that the linen that Jesus was buried in was likely a prayer shawl.  That is the traditional burial cloth. Interesting isn't it?

We also saw a church by the name of Dominos Flavit.  The translation is "the Lord cried".  This church was built on the Mt. of Olives with things that look like vases on the corners.  The "vases" are symbolic of tears.  The tears are representative of two things:  One.  It is the place where David went and cried in mourning of the death of Saul and Jonathan.  Also, where Jesus cried when he looked at Jerusalem, knowing that Jerusalem had rejected him.

See the tops of the corners of the church?  You can click on any image to see a larger view.

After the Mt. of Olives we went down the hill to the Garden of Gethsemane. This was a serious down hill walk.  It was so worth it.  Looking at the place where Jesus prayed and was taken by the Romans really touched my spirit. The meaning of Gethsemane is olive press and they did find an olive press in the area. It is also full of olive trees.  It's a very small area but is powerful to the spirit.

Olive tree in the Garden of Gesthemane

 Well folks, I'm about to conk out but at least I got a little bit done.  Wait until you hear some information I learned at Nazareth and how it relates to Jesus praying at the Garden of Gesthemane.  It's pretty interesting information.

I'll let you know later so you will need to stay tuned.


Suz