Hosanna

This previous Monday, we were on course to see the southern temple mount.  With a little after thought we realized we could easily access the temple mount for a quick view of the land where Solomon's Temple once stood, and where the Dome of the Rock currently stands. 

This is a piece of ground that can be walked from one corner to the other in less than five minutes yet, this piece of elevated earth has the potential to start a war that could involve entire nations.  Even now as I write this I sit in view of the western wall while to my left are at least 20 armed security men and women, each with a loaded weapon prepared to keep the peace.

Back to Monday, as we were walking toward the Temple Mount we came near a gate called the Dung Gate.  This is the closest Western Wall entry from a large street that serves as a common drop point for buses.  One Mondays, local Jewish boys are brought to the wall in celebration of their bar-mitzvahs.  The bar mitzvah is a special time in the life of the Jewish family and therefore cause for great celebration. 

Here entire families and friends come together by bus with their rabbi and synagogue cantor.  Together they all parade through the Dung gate and to the Western Wall.  When I say "parade," I am not exaggerating!  Drums, cymbals, horns, and banners, they group walks along with the young man.  With the boy up front, family and friends are directly behind singing and clapping.  The atmosphere is festive, and one would think a warm hero has returned from battle to be decorated.  

We stood above, on an elevated walkway, to watch the passing parade.  The group would periodically stop, join hands with the young man, and dance in a circle.  I pulled my camera to take video and drew their attention.  With pride some waved at the camera, smiled, and sang even louder.

Instantly my mind was filled with the event traditionally called the Triumphal Entry, also called, Palm Sunday.  The time when Jesus entered the City of Jerusalem to present himself as Messiah.  Great multitudes grabbed palm branches and waved them into the air.  Others took their coats off and laid them upon the ground to create a walk for the coming King of Jews.  (Luke 19:28-40)

My eyes filled with tears as I thought of that day, to see Jesus walk into the city.  How I look forward to seeing Him come again, the second time to rule as the King of Kings.

Walking away from the event we were stopped by local beggar who said in broken English, "when Messiah come he will make all things right," one of our group turned to him and said, "Messiah has come, it is Yeshua, and Yeshua is coming again."

 

"Even so, come Lord Jesus come." (Rev. 22:20)