The path that Jesus took to get to Jerusalem had him traveling from Bethany to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives and then took a route into Jerusalem likely going through the Sheep Gate. Which gate he entered is not recorded in Scripture, but there is a logical and spiritual reason for thinking he entered through this particular gate. Of course, the other route he could have taken was through the Eastern Gate. It would have been more direct but likely not the route most of the pilgrims took if they had a lamb for Passover with them as they would need to have the lamb inspected by the priests to ensure it was without blemish to offer as their paschal lamb, and they would need to enter through the Sheep Gate to have this inspection done by the priests.

Now for a few more details of Jesus’ trip from Bethany to Jerusalem and its temple. Jesus and his disciple arrive at the home of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary in Bethany six days before Passover. Lazarus had been raised from the dead only a few months earlier. That evening, a feast is held at Lazarus’ house. Many heard that Jesus was there and came to see both him as well as Lazarus. This also upset the Jewish leaders that so many people were accepting Christ because of Lazarus being raised form the dead.

Mary, Lazarus’ sister, anoints Jesus’ feet as a testament of her understanding that Jesus was going to soon die (Jn 12:3-7). She seemed to have understood Jesus’ message better than many of his other disciples as the others still didn’t understand that in just a few days, he would be put to death. Jesus and his disciples stay with Lazarus through Sabbath. [As a side note, this same thing occurred two days before Passover in Bethany at the house of a former leper named Simon (Mt 26:1-6). The woman, this time anointing Jesus’ head, isn’t named. Could it have been the event as presented in the gospel of John? Possibly, but the days and locations are different. It had to have been a woman close to Jesus to understand what was going to happen to him as even his disciples did not understand what Jesus was saying about his death.]

The next day was Nassan 10th, likely a Sunday. Jesus and his disciples travel from Bethany to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives and likely join hundreds of others traveling to Jerusalem to get ready for Passover.

Jesus tells two of his disciples to go into Bethphage and retrieve a donkey and its colt (Mt 21:1-3). The colt had never been ridden on, but the colt remained calm for Jesus to ride him. This in itself was a miracle.

The disciples and the pilgrims put their cloaks on the animal for Jesus to sit on and spread them on the ground for the donkey carrying Jesus to walk on. Others gathered palm branches and began waving them and praising Jesus (Mt 21:8-9). They did this all the way to Jerusalem. The Old Testament records this practice of anointed kings. We have such a practice done for Jehu when he was announced as the new king of Israel (2Ki 9:12-13).

Many of the pilgrims quoted parts of Psalm 118 during their praising of Jesus which is a Messianic psalm, especially verses 25 and 26 which states, “Lord, save us! [Hosanna] Lord, grant us success! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you.” When the people sang, “Hosanna,” they were saying, “Lord save us.” It is clear they were singing that Jesus was their Messiah. Yet, when they said, “save us,” they were implying a physical saving and not the spiritual saving that Jesus had in mind.

When on the Mount of Olives, Jesus pauses and weeps over Jerusalem knowing the outcome, his rejection, and the destruction that Jerusalem would face in less than forty years (Lk 19:41-44).

Because many of the pilgrims likely had lambs with them for their Passover sacrifice, they probably entered Jerusalem through the Sheep Gate rather than through the more direct Eastern Gate as their lambs would need to be inspected by the priests at the temple and would need to enter through the Sheep Gate for this to occur.

Don’t you find it interesting that Jesus chose Nisan 10th to ride into Jerusalem? He was proclaiming not only to be their Messiah but the Promised One: the One promised to Eve (Gn 3:15), the prophet like Moses (Dt 18:15), the pascal lamb that had been prophesied ever since the time of Moses (Is 53). He was the fulfillment of the sacrifices that had been offered all these years. Now it was time for the Jewish leaders to inspect and see if they would take him as their Messiah and Passover Lamb from God.

Have you thought about Jesus Christ in this way? He did all of this not only for the Jews of his day but for the entire world. One of the things he said while at the temple was, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself” (Jn 12:32). Did you get that? His death was for everyone on the earth: past, present, and future. Think about that and give him the praise he deserves.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens