The Gates of Jerusalem

The Gates of Jerusalem

 

         I have studied the Bible in a variety of ways, as I am sure you have. There is the topical study, the examination of a specific book of the Bible, the analysis of a person, but I have never considered the Bible from a “place” perspective. Our trip to Israel prompted this and the journey through scripture has been both enjoyable and insightful. By looking at a specific place and chronicling the events which occurred there these locations have come alive with such a striking depth of antiquity.

         The Gates of Jerusalem, varying in number throughout history, have seen both the miraculous and the profane. I want to share a little of both with you. Join me as we visit a few of the gates traveling both back in history and forward to heaven!

         There are 17 gates mentioned in the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament). The New Testament mentions only four gates. Today Jerusalem has 7 usable gates and four sealed gates. And finally the New Jerusalem mentioned in Revelation will have twelve gates, all will be a single pearl and named for the twelve tribes of Israel.

         Now time to look at a few specific gates!
 

 This is the Gate Beautiful as seen from the Mount of Olives.

Jesus would have used the gate often. This gate is also mentioned in Acts chapter 3. Peter heals the lame beggar here.

 

 The Zion Gate. It is one of the 8 gates that go into The Old of Jerusalem. You can see the bullets holes all around this gate. In 1967 Israel fought to recapture the Old City from this gate, and won.

 Finally, this is the Dung Gate. Not a very appealing name. But this gate is mentioned throughout the Old Testament and serves an important purpose. This gate is the closest gate to the Temple Mount and it is through here all trash and waste once left the city. The close proximity is not an accident. The priests could quickly dispose of unclean parts of the animal which could not be sacrificed.  Getting the “unclean” removed from the “holy” was and still is vital.  The Dung Gate reminds me to remove the filth from my life. What that looks like varies daily (even hourly some days): a bad attitude, prideful anger, selfishness, and the list goes on.  The gate stands open. I just need to dispose of the trash.

 

 

The Mount of Olives

 

The Chapel of the Ascension

 

2684 feet high, east of Jerusalem and presently holds about 150,000 graves—The Mount of Olives. It is mentioned by name 14 times in the Bible; twice in the Old Testament and 12 times in the New Testament. However, Biblical writers often just reference the site as the mount east of Jerusalem.

 

Some of the graves on the mount.

Friday April 24, 2015 found me atop the Mount of Olives. The wind blustered furiously and the cold assaulted our group. But it would take more than wind and cold to squelch burning curiosity and excitement.

This mount holds such history, it has witnessed both moments of triumph and defeat. King David stopped here to weep while fleeing Jerusalem when Absalom staged a coup. King Josiah tore down idols which stood on this mount. Jesus pauses here to mourn for Jerusalem before he mounts a young donkey for his triumphant entry into the city (Palm Sunday). On the night of his betrayal, Jesus spends time here with his followers before continuing on to the Garden of Gethsemane (located near the base of the mount). And finally, Jesus ascends from here and scripture tells us he will return here and the mount will be split in two, one side moving south, the other north (Zechariah 14:4).

As we walked down this mount our guide asked, “Why did Jesus chose to ride a donkey? Why not a horse?”

Well, as we were with a large group of cowboys, the question seemed both appropriate and obvious. Donkeys are more sure footed, less risk of falling on the rugged terrain. Imagine our surprise to find we, the Texans, well versed in horse logic, were wrong. In the Jewish culture the donkey is the symbol for peace. Jesus made a statement with his choice of ride. He, the Prince of Peace, entered Jerusalem offering peace through the sacrifice of his life. He purchased our peace with his blood.

However, when he returns he will come riding a horse, the symbol for war. He will wage war against Satan and those who stand with him and he will reign victorious!

Everything matters. God specializes in the details. And the beauty of these entry choices leaves me awe struck at his incredible love for mankind. First he offers peace at an incredible cost, and withholds war, not wanting any to perish. The war will come, but his patience holds it off for now.

Much to think about as I descended this mount and now as I recall the unforgettable time spent there.