Down the Mount of Olives

MAY 16—The Mount of Olives is a real place that is mentioned frequently in the Bible. Many references in the New Testament indicate that Jesus often came to the place. It seems to be a favorite, and no wonder. It commands a wonderful view of where the temple stood in Jerusalem. It’s very close to the action, yet somehow creates a bit of distance. It’s just the sort of place where Jesus liked to be.

But he didn’t hang around there forever. In fact, we began our time on the Mount of Olives at the top—and at the end. This is the place, according to Scripture, where Jesus ascended into heaven, leaving his baffled yet strangely comforted followers below. We entered a mosque, which centuries ago was the cupola of a church, to see an ancient rock with an indentation. Tradition maintains that this is the footprint left by Jesus when he disappeared into the heavens.

A short way down the hill is gorgeous church run by Carmelite sisters called the Pater Noster. It marks the site where, according to long tradition, Jesus taught his disciples to pray. The Lord’s Prayer is displayed in mosaic forms in many different languages from throughout the world. It appears over and over again in a beautiful garden, along graceful corridors and within the sanctuary. And while site is commemorative, it is also a living church—a place of continuous prayer.



A little further down the hill is a beautiful chapel called Dominus Flavet—The Lord Wept. The church is constructed to resemble a teardrop, and it is said to be the place where Jesus wept for his beloved Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-44). A fine mosaic on the altar pictures a mother hen protecting her chicks, the wonderful image that Jesus used to describe his love for the holy city (Matthew 23:37-39).



Further down the slope toward the Valley of Kidron we found the Garden of Gethsemane. Another beautiful church with alabaster windows creates a sanctuary on the spot amidst a grove of ancient olive trees. Again, beautiful sculptures and mosaics help to communicate something of the deep agony Jesus experienced on the night he was betrayed.



Not only did Judas betray Jesus; Peter also denied him. Across the valley on Mount Zion stands Saint Peter in Gallicantu (“the cock crows”). The church complex is filled with colourful mosaics and icons, including one that shows Jesus looking at Peter as the rooster crows, and another showing the resurrected Jesus renewing his trust in Jesus.

Christian memory also associates this place with memories of Jesus imprisonment while waiting to appear before Caiphas and Peter’s penitent tears after his denial of Jesus. Deep pits below the church were used as cisterns and dungeons.