It’s early April and next Sunday is Palm Sunday. What an appropriate time to read this chapter!
Of course, it’s perfectly appropriate and timely to read this chapter anytime, so if you happen to be reading and Palm Sunday isn’t just around the corner, don’t despair!
When Jesus returns to Jerusalem he comes enters from the east. In recent days he has been ministering in the Jordan River Valley, above the Dead Sea and below the Sea of Galilee. As he turns toward Jerusalem for his final trip in his earthly ministry he passes through Jericho. Jericho was built on a key terrain feature, a low hill in the middle of a wadi (sort of like a valley, with mountain on each side). This wadi extends most of the way to Jerusalem, so the road to Jerusalem from the east runs through Jericho. From ancient times Jericho was an outpost city, sort of like a guard at the front entrance to a long driveway. You will remember that Joshua entered the Promised Land through Jericho. I wonder if Jesus came this way deliberately. If a conquering king were to wage war against Jerusalem, or Israel in general they would most likely pass this way (if they came from the south and east). There is another large valley that provides easy access further north called the Valley of Jezreel. There is a small hill there that overlooks the valley called the hill of Megiddo. In Hebrew “Har” means hill, therefore it is called “Har Meggido”. You may know it as Armageddon. That valley and famous battle area is accessed from the east as well, and it’s eastern entrance is guarded by the city of Scythopolis (also known as Beth Shan) In 1 Sam 31:10-12 it’s recorded that the dead bodies of Saul and his sons were hung on the walls of that city after they fell in battle. I mention all of that to say these border cities have great significance, because it’s where the invaders began their conquest.
And, here comes Jesus. He enters the land from the east, moves up the wadi through Jericho and positions himself in a little town called Bethpage located on the Mount of Olives. The Mount of Olives is actually 300 feet higher than the old city of Jerusalem, so you can see over the wall into the city, nice place for a general to position himself while his troops attack. Many years before this, David was fortified in his city, and saw the opposing armies on the hills surrounding him, peering in. He wrote in the 121 Psalm “I look to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth”.
Jesus gathers a small group around him and begins his descent into the Holy City. The children are calling out “Praise God for the Son of David!” which is a clear reference to the claim of royalty through the blood line of Israels greatest king. Palms are being spread out, coats and other garments are covering the road as he comes in..from the East, entering the temple from the East just as it has been prophesied. This gate is the one facing the Mount of Olives, and is the same gate called “Beautiful” where Peter and John healed a blind man in Acts 3.
The pharisees and religious leaders haven’t missed the significance of what Jesus is doing. This is a direct assault on their religion. In fact, when Jesus enters the temple he claims is it “his Father’s house” and throws everyone out. In the parable that follows the evil tenants kill the son who is sent to collect on the debt…and the evil tenants kill the son. It’s very clear that Jesus is talking about Himself, His Father the original landowner, the Prophets who came before him, and the Religious leaders who are the current evil landlords.
I will likely comment on another text about how the leaders asked Jesus to be quiet as he entered town. The Romans weren’t oblivious to what Jesus was doing either. He was a conquering King, coming back to the land He himself has created years ago, looking for His people to pay homage and worship him. Instead they had forgotten that He existed and denied his claim to ownership.
This isn’t the last time Jesus will enter Jerusalem through the Eastern Gate. It is widely believed that when Jesus returns He will enter through the Eastern Gate once again. In fact, the Muslim king Suleiman who rebuilt much of the Holy City including the Eastern Gate, had that Gate sealed only three years after he built it hoping that it would prevent Jesus from entering it. It stands still today, sealed. Suleiman also created a graveyard outside the Eastern Gate, thinking that Jesus would not cross such a place, further preventing him from entering. It strikes me rather funny that a pagan king had more faith in the return of Christ than many Christians do today.
Loving Jesus,
PR