The Garden of Gethsemane

 In the Garden of Gethsemane, there is an ancient olive tree that some say was living at the time of Jesus, but our guide Rose said it is only 1,500 years old.

I can’t begin to explain the feeling I had while walking in the garden. It is inexplicable and powerful, standing there and looking across the Kidron Valley at the Golden Gate of the eastern Temple Wall, the gate through which Christ will enter upon his return.

I walked along a beautiful garden pathway lined with flowers and bushes and sat down on a small stone bench to pray. As I looked eastward toward the Temple Mount, I heard a songbird in a nearby olive tree singing ever so softly. After a few minutes of prayer, thanking God for his amazing grace and the blessing of being present in the garden where Jesus walked and prayed, I could feel the warmth of God’s Spirit flowing over me, assuring me of God’s continuing presence. I was overcome with joy and gratitude.

My spirit and soul were lifted high above, with the awareness of God’s presence and grace upon this land and its people, Israel. And then I prayed for the peace of all people everywhere, and for the return of Christ and his kingdom.

I believe with all my heart in the return of Jesus Christ. Every day I wait for him. He will come again, just as he promised, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God.” (1 Thess. 4:16)

*read more of my experiences in the Holy Land in my book titled, Journey of a Disciple, now available in eBook and print at www.amazon.com Gene Groner, author/biographer