Through the years, I have researched some Easter related topics for pieces I was writing. As Easter approaches once again, I thought I'd share two interesting Easter tidbits that are both poignant and powerful.
Gethsemane
The word Gethsemane comes from the two Hebrew words, geth which means press and shemen which means oil. The process used to extract olive oil back in Jesus’ day was in two parts. First whole olives were put into a stone basin with a millstone in it. A horse or donkey was harnessed and led around in a circular motion causing the millstone to roll over the olives, cracking them. Then the cracked olives were put into a burlap bag and placed under a large stone column–a gethsemane. The enormous weight of the column squeezed the olives causing the precious oil to run out, allowing it to be collected.
While Jesus was in the garden of the olive press, He too felt an enormous weight of burden crushing down on him. However, Jesus’ burden was not a physical one, but a spiritual one. Yet, what did he say? “Not my will be Thine be done.” And what did he do? He went willingly to the cross to gain salvation for you and me.
When the olives were crushed, out came the precious, treasured oil. When Jesus was crushed, from his blood came our salvation. Look for the good things God will bring about in your time of trials.
Kidron Valley
According to John 18:1 when Jesus traveled to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray on the night before he was crucified, he crossed the Kidron valley. The Hebrew word Kidron means dark or black. The valley got its name because the temple was directly above this valley and as animals were sacrificed, their blood ran out of the temple and into the Kidron Valley, turning the ground black as it dried. Isn’t it amazing to realize that Jesus passed through this valley on his way to the cross? I wonder what went through His mind as he stepped on the black ground. I wonder, did he picture my face—and yours?
