Stations of the Cross in the Garden
Inside the Garden of Gethsemane the Eastern churches have placed the so-called “stations” representing the various incidents of the crucifixion. We were here during the Greek Easter week, and many pilgrims were making the rounds of these “stations” in the garden. One can not be but struck, while standing in the midst of these companies, with the hold Christ has upon the hearts of the human race. Marathon is sacred because there was first a rebuke offered to the tide of Persian civilization. Waterloo is sacred because there, again, was determined the security of Europe for modern times. But here, under the shadow of Jerusalem, in this dark garden (if this be the identical spot), was won the battle which determined the destiny of the race. No wonder that pilgrims from all parts of the world visit these sacred scenes to recall the triumphs of the Son of God over the woes and sins of the sons of men. It was on Friday, in the month of April, at about one o’clock at night, when Jesus and his disciples left their friend’s house in Jerusalem. It was passover night when few people went to bed. And they walked this night on the road from the bridge to Olivet. Jesus, who was in front, turned aside from the people and went through the gate into the Garden of Gethsemane, and his disciples followed him into the shadow of the olive trees, through which the moonlight fell.
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