Daniel Smith is a scriptural history enthusiast whose dream in life is to help visually teach others about the scriptures. He started producing videos on YouTube because he saw so little content that was visually engaging, educational, and uplifting. His YouTube channel called Messages of Christ now has 63 million views and 500k subscribers. It has been a pleasure to have worked with him on several projects.
This time of the year, many people celebrate Passover/Pesach/Easter in remembrance of the Passover meal that Jesus held with his disciples before going to Gethsemane where he was betrayed by Judas and arrested by the Temple guards.
As Daniel explains in this video, it is most likely that Jesus and his disciples stayed overnight in this cave and he draws parallels between the processes of producing olive oil and the suffering of Christ.
Gethsemane is usually associated with the garden next to the Church of All Nations at the foot of the Mount of Olives which has many ancient olive trees. However, a few decades ago a cave was discovered next to the Church of the Virgin Mary that originally held an olive press. After excavations were completed, this site has been developed as a chapel.
Apart from the suffering of Christ, it is possible to make a connection with a prior event that took place here. There may be an interesting parallel with what happened to David when he fled from Absalom.
We read in 2 Sam 15:23 that after leaving Jerusalem, David crossed the Kidron Valley and would have passed by the place that was later called the Garden of Gethsemane. It is interesting that David said in 2 Sam 15:26, “Let [the LORD] do to me what seems good to Him”. And despite the difficult situation he found himself in, he put his trust in the LORD. In his extremity Jesus said something similar, “not my will but Thine be done”.
On his return to Jerusalem, David said to Abishai in 2Sam. 19:22, “… do not I know that I am this day king over Israel?” This occasion was the second time that David came to Jerusalem as king. Reading these words must would been a powerful comfort to Jesus, and indeed also for us as we similarly await his return.