The Mount of Olives can be clearly seen to the northeast of the City of David. The Mount of Olives is the oldest and largest Jewish cemetery. There are some 75,000 graves on the steep slope.

From the upper room, Jesus went outside of the city walls to the Mount of Olives where he spent time in prayer at the Garden of Gethesemane. The garden has many ancient olive trees today, some of which may have grown from the roots of the trees that were present in Jesus' time. (All trees in and around Jerusalem were cut down when the Romans conquered the city in 70 A.D. Olive trees can regenerate from their roots and live for thousands of years.) The name "Gethesemane", comes from the Hebrew Gat Shmanim, meaning "oil press". Since "oil" is used in the Bible to symbolize the Holy Spirit, it may be said that the garden is where "the Spirit of God was crushed". It was here that Jesus agonized in prayer over what was to occur.

Jesus agonizes over what He is to go through, feeling that He is at the point of death. 'My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here and watch with me.' (Matthew 26:37) RSV
Yet He prays, 'Not as I will, but as thou wilt.'

No one can hope to identify fully with the anguish the Son of God must have suffered as he prayed to His Father to confirm if He must go to the cross of Calvary. The Gospel writers give us a glimpse of some of the pain and turmoil which caused Jesus to plead with the Father to deliver him from the necessity of dying the death of a criminal. Matthew records some of Jesus’ feelings:

"Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, ‘Sit here, while I pray.’ He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee [John and James] along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.

Matthew goes on to reveal the struggle Jesus had to accept the task which lay before him: that of bearing the burden of our sin in his own body on the cross:

"Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.’ Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. ‘Could you not watch with me one hour?’ he asked Peter. ‘Watch and pray...’ He went away a second time and prayed, ‘My Father, if this can not pass unless I drink it, may your will be done.’ (Matthew 26:39-42)

Luke describes even more vividly the agony Jesus encountered while he prayed:

"And being in anguish (agony), he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground." (Luke 22:4) KJV

While in Gethesemane, Jesus is betrayed by Judas and arrested by the Jews. His disciples all desert Him. (Mark 14:51-52) He is bound (John 18:12) then brought back to the city to the court of the High Priest, which is located near the Upper room.

It is a thing most wonderful,
Almost too wonderful to be,
That God’s own Son should come from heaven
And die to save a child like me.

And yet I know that it is true;
He chose a poor and humble lot,
And wept, and toiled, and mourned, and died
For love of those who loved Him not.

I sometimes think about the cross,
And shut my eyes, and try to see
The cruel nails, and crown of thorns,
And Jesus crucified for me.

But even could I see Him die,
I could but see a little part
Of that great love, which, like a fire,
Is always burning in His heart.

It is most wonderful to know,
His love for me so free and sure;
but ‘tis more wonderful to see
My love for Him so faint and poor.

And yet I want to love Thee, Lord;
O light the flame within my heart,
And I will love Thee more and more,
Until I see Thee as Thou art.

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