Day 6: The Royal Road

Day #6 Jerusalem: Mount of Olives

Coupled with many other emotions, the road from the Mount of Olives to the Temple has always been paved with joy.

David, the great Old Testament King, founded this glorious city. A thousand years before Jesus rode down this slope on a donkey, and three thousand before we enter today, David had established Jerusalem as Israel’s religious and political capital. He danced the day the Ark of the Covenant, the symbol of God’s presence finally came to the city. David knew one day the Messiah would also enter the city.

And that day had arrived. It was Spring. The roads, safe and dry again with the winter rains past, carried Passover pilgrims into Jerusalem. The royal city buzzed with holiday excitement and political tension ran high. Kings and armies dreaded to march in winter; their chariots and horses would get bogged down in the thick Judean clay. But in the Spring, a young man’s thoughts turned to . . . war. Despising Roman rule, the Jew’s longing for their Messiah intensified at Passover. Perhaps this year, their Messiah would come, according to prophets from the eastern wilderness and would ride a donkey down from the Mount of Olives. In anticipation, they even kept the doors to the Temple open on Passover Eve, so the Messiah could immediately establish His kingdom.

Jesus chose the first day of Passover week, the day that people chose their sacrificial lamb, to enter the city in a manner fulfilling the prophecies. As word spread of His arrival, people lined the road, shouting “Hosanna—Save Us!” and waving palm branches, their symbol of political freedom.

As He rode the four hundred feet down from the Mount of Olives, across the Kidron Valley and into the city through the Sheep Gate, the tassels on Jesus’ prayer shawl perhaps drug the ground, stained with the blood that drained here from the countless lamb sacrifices being offered high above on the Temple altar. The wind carried the scent of burning flesh and the cries for a political Messiah . . . but not for a personal Savior.

And Jesus wept. Not for Himself, but for the city He loved. The city He wished to gather around Him . . . to save them. The Lamb of God knew today was not that day—but for the joy set before Him, He rode on.

Read all about it: 

David establishes the royal city: 2 Samuel 6:12-15

Jesus enters Jerusalem as Messiah: Mark 11, Matthew 2, Zechariah 9:9, Exodus 12:2-3, John 1:29

Today’s Memory Maker:  Jerusalem area options