Holy Land Journey – Part 2
On Day 2 Tour –
On day two of the tour, still in Jerusalem, our bus drove up to a road that leads to Mt. Olives. We all got off the bus, and stop at a place which has a breathtaking view overlooking the city of Jerusalem. The tour guide gave us a brief geographical sketch/background of Jerusalem city- the city gates, etc. The old temple wall, the old city wall, from Herod’s time to the Byzantine era. Some parts of the wall are still there from about 2,000 years ago.
Then we drove down the road, three miles or so, to to the church that preserved the “Garden of Gethsemane”.
It was the place where Jesus spent late night prayer before His arrest.
Gethsemane means Olive orchard.
As soon as we entered the Garden area, and saw the rows of ancient Olive trees, I felt the strong presence of the Lord. It was an awesome presence, I almost cry in tears. I almost felt the agony of the Lord Jesus when He wrestled and prayed, “God’s will not my will..”
A time of surrender to God’s perfect will for Him, and for the salvation of many. The Spirit of revelation came to me, Jesus had actually won the battle, not at the cross, but in the Garden of Gethsemane- The prayer of surrender, absolute surrender to His loving Father, trusting Him, His Father for the best outcome. So, it was Jesus’ battle against human flesh and against Satan’s final temptation, He had overcome the battle, a complete surrender to the Father. Thus, the Father made Jesus triumphant or the Winner!
Poem Inspiration from the Lord:
The Garden
There in the Garden
My Savior plead,
There in the Garden
My Savior knelt down and prayed,
“Father, not my will
But Your will be done”
There in the garden
My Lord surrendered
To His Father’s plan
Yet He had won
The Victor’s crown
There in the garden
My Savior wept
He cried bloody tears of surrender
There in the garden
My Savior won over sin and temptation;
Death and evil no more have dominion
There in the garden my Savior won the victor’s crown.
The Gethsemane garden is managed by the “Church of all nations”. Many churches from different countries contributed to the preservation of the site and built a beautiful and magnificent chapel/cathedral. In the middle of the chapel’s altar, was a rock that many believe was the rock where Jesus knelt and prayed in the garden.
Readings:
John 18:1-2
“When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciple over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered… Jesus often met there with His disciples.”
Luke 22 :39-44
“Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.[c]
More stories and photos later from the trip.
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