The Mount of Olives is a hillside that faces the Temple Mount across the Kidron Valley. The area is mentioned many times in the bible, significant in both the Old Testament as well as the New Testament. It is revered by all three of the major world religions (Christianity, Judaism and Islam).
When my wife and I visited Jerusalem, our tour only included a portion of the Mount of Olives. We visited the Church of All Nations and the adjacent Olive Grove which is believed to be the general area where the Garden of Gethsemane was located. The church was spectacular and the olive grove amazing with centuries old olive trees carefully maintained in an immaculately tended garden. I wanted to see the entire area, so my wife and I returned after we were done touring one day. We hired a taxi and visited the area with our driver as guide.
There are several important locations marked by churches and mosques on the mount. There are three spots that mark the place where tradition suggests that Jesus ascended into heaven. Obviously they are in conflict, so the exact spot is unknown. One, at the Dome of the Ascension contains a stone with a footprint believed to be the place where Jesus ascended. It is also believed to be the exact place he will step upon his return. I don't take everything I read in the Bible literally, but there is a suggestion that this story may be true.
Acts 1:9-11
9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
I read that passage to mean that Christ will return on the clouds. Not necessarily that he will step down on the exact spot. But I wouldn't debate it, either. It makes for an interesting reading and debate.
Another traditional religious site is the Church of the Pater Noster which is built beside the ruins of a Byzantine Church meant to commemorate the grotto where Christ taught his disciples the Lord's Prayer. We drove by the location, but did not go inside.
The view of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives is exceptional. It was nice to go up and take a look at the city from that vantage point. It was getting dark when we arrived, so my photos did not turn out. But the view was amazing as the sun was setting. We were looking into the sun as it set in the distance behind Jerusalem. Great for looking, not so much for photography.
Traditionally, the Via Dolorosa began at the Mount of Olives at the Garden of Gethsemane. The route was moved in later centuries to begin at what is now called the Lions Gate. It is a fairly good walk if one were to start at the Garden of Gethsemane, so it makes sense that the path was shortened significantly. Also, there is not much to see on that first stretch between the two.
I regret we did not have more time to explore the Mount of Olives, but we enjoyed the garden and Church of All Nations. We also enjoyed the view from the top of the hillside. It was nice to at least drive to the various locations and feel like we were "part of it all" even if we did not have time to go in and visit all the different churches. As it is, we visited at least a dozen during our trip.
I am nearing the end of my experiences in Israel. I will soon be tying up the entire list of places into a single overview of the trip. If you want to relive my experiences with me, feel free to check my other memories out now:
A Christian Guide to Israel
Hotels
Cinema Hotel Tel Aviv, Israel
Ron Beach Hotel, Tiberias, Israel
Prima Park Hotel Jerusalem, Israel
Attractions
Caesarea National Park Caesarea, Israel
Mount Precipice Mount Kedimum, Israel
Sea of Galilee Boat Ride Tiberias, Israel
Yigal Alon Museum (Jesus Boat) Ginosar, Israel
Capernaum, Israel
St. Peter’s Restaurant Kinneret, Israel
Caesarea Phillipi Banias, Israel
Gadot Lookout and Memorial Golan Heights, Israel
Jordan River Baptismal Site Yardenit, Israel
Beit She’an National Park Beit She’an, Israel
Mount of Olives, Jerusalem, Israel
Garden Tomb Jerusalem, Israel
Western Wall Jerusalem, Israel
Western Wall Tunnels Jerusalem, Israel
Bethlehem New Store Gift Shop Bethlehem, West Bank
Pools of Bethesda Jerusalem, Israel
Via Dolorosa Jerusalem, Israel
Shrine of the Book Jerusalem, Israel
Yad Vashem Jerusalem, Israel
The Upper Room Jerusalem, Israel
Tomb of King David Jerusalem, Israel
Holyland Model of Jerusalem Israel Museum, Jerusalem, Israel
Masada National Park Masada, Israel
Neve Midbar Beach The Dead Sea, Israel
Churches
Discalced Carmelite Monastery Muhraqa, Israel
Basilica of the Annunciation Nazareth, Israel
St. Peter’s Church Capernaum, Israel
Church of the Multiplication Tabgha, Israel
Church of the Beatitudes Tabgha, Israel
Church of All Nations Jerusalem, Israel
Church of Saint Anne Jerusalem, Israel
Church of the Holy Sepulcher Jerusalem, Israel
Church of Saint Peter in Gallicantu Jerusalem, Israel
Church of the Nativity Bethlehem, West Bank