Mount of Olives, Cemetery, Dominus Flevit Church and Garden of Gethsemane (P)

The Mount of Olives Cemetery has been used for over 3,000 years. Jews wait until the coming of the Messiah when they will be resurrected.  This is the holiest place for those in the Jewish faith to be buried. Jews pay a lot of money to be buried here as much as $22, 500 for a plot.  The cemetery is quite close to the Old City and it overlooks the Temple Mount. 

View looking toward the Temple Mount across the Kidron Valley from the Mount of Olives

It is hard to tell who is cutest- the donkey or the old man.

A man trying to persuade dad to buy something.

A camel taking a rest. It is really interesting to watch a camel get into this position. Their back legs bend in a weird way.

There is not much room left in the Mount of Olives Cemetery.

 The Dominus Flevit Church is a Roman Catholic church built on the side of the Mount of Olives. It was built between 1953-55.  During the construction archaeologist uncovered artifacts from the Canaanite period and tombs from the Second Temple and Byzantine eras. Dominus Flevit is Latin for :The Lord wept." The church is built in the shape of a tear drop to symbolize the tears of Christ.  While walking towards the city of Jerusalem, Jesus became overwhelmed  and wept because of the beauty of the second temple and predicting its future destruction. Luke 19:37-42

Inside Dominus Flevit church looking at Jerusalem through the glass window.

View  of the Old City Wall and the cemetery while walking down the Mount of Olives

It was a spiritual experience to be able to visit the Garden of Gethsemane  and contemplate what happened here.  It is hard to understand how Christ could atone for everyone's sins but I know Christ did it and I'm so grateful for His great sacrifice that made it possible for me to have the opportunity to return to live with my Heavenly Father. I have been so blessed to be able to use the atonement in my life to repent, follow Christ's example and try to become more like Him.

Ron standing by the oldest olive tree in the Garden of Gethsemane.  It is over 2,000 years old, so it dates back to the time of Christ.

Garden of Gethsemane

Garden of Gethsemane