Whereas lambs’ blood smeared on the Hebrews’ doorposts provided temporary reprieve from death, Jesus Christ became the perfect and permanent sacrificial lamb. Praise God, it is finished!
In His short life on earth, the Bible records Jesus spent a lot of time with siblings Mary, Martha and Lazarus here in Bethphage.
This walled village was the only area outside the walls of Jerusalem considered an official part of the city.
Here you see it from the other side of the Mount of Olives, in Jerusalem. (The dome is the Muslim Al Aqsa Mosque in the Old City).
The Kidron Valley is the relatively narrow expanse between the base of the Mount of Olives and the Old City of Jerusalem.
On the eastern slopes of the Mount of Olives, the ancient stones are bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun.
On His triumphal entry, Jesus rode the colt from Bethphage, over the Mount of Olives, perhaps a 1-1/2 mile ride.
Traversing the Kidron Valley, Jesus rode up the eastern slope and through the Golden Gate of the Old City.
Unlike the other seven gates, or entry points to the Old City, the east-facing Golden Gate has been sealed shut since the 16th century.
https://theculturetrip.com/middle-east/israel/articles/the-story-behind-jerusalems-sealed-golden-gate/
The night before His crucifixion, Jesus prayed here in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Carbon dating and DNA analysis support the premise that six of these olive trees are offspring of the ones Jesus prayed beneath the night of His arrest.
A week after His triumphal entry, the Temple guards of the Sanhedrin apprehended Him here.
He was not taken by surprise; rather, He went there willingly, knowing all that awaited Him. (Luke 9:51)
His frightened disciples escaped in the darkness to this garden across the road, as the soldiers surrounded Jesus and hustled Him away.
They took Him to Pontius Pilate, who pronounced a judgement of death.
Scourged and beaten, they paraded Him through the throngs of people in the city- some gawking, some mocking.
The Cardo, or grand main thoroughfare of commerce, was common to many large cities.
Scorned and jeered at- regarded as a common criminal- Jesus likely passed through something similar, on His way to the Damascus Gate.
Hebrews 13:12 (KJV) Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered without (outside) the gate.
Damascus Gate, on the northern wall of the city, is diagonally across from Golgotha, and most likely where they brought Him out.
Mark 15:22 (KJV) “And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, the place of a skull.
Whether upon a cross, a stake or a tree, Jesus Christ of Nazareth nonetheless endured a painful death for the sins of the world- past, present and future.
And at the ninth hour, Jesus shouted in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, my God, for what have you forsaken me?”
AN ORIGINAL PASSOVER POEM
It came to me one midnight clearly, an image in my head;
How You had paid for my sin dearly, and I sat up straight in bed.
Though it pained me terribly to watch, I could not look away,
As You, a perfect, sinless man, proved Your love for me that day.
You were ridiculed and beaten, led to the cross and bound;
Blood running freely from Your stripes, pouring on the ground.
I watched in silent horror, could not believe my eyes,
The atrocities inflicted, until Your Spirit slipped its ties.
Muttered curses, wicked deeds- each sin commands a price;
So You went there willingly for me, my Savior, Jesus Christ.
Your pierced and tortured body, laid so lovingly in the grave;
How could I know, that in three days, you’d walk out of that cave?
For just a very little time, You walked the earth and then
You said goodbye, with promises that You would come again.
The legacy You left behind was to meet each other’s needs,
With loving kindness, gentleness, patience, and good deeds.
So take my pride before I fall, and give me ears to hear;
Eyes to see, so I can recognise You when You’re near.
Let me choose the narrow path, and not the one that’s worn
By those who heed not righteousness, filled with wrath and scorn.
Give me faith like wings, that I may fly ever closer to Your light;
Confident and unafraid through the darkness of the night.
Let me hear Your voice reminding me that I am not alone;
Steadfast and unwavering, as that first bright Star that shone.
Give me strength and courage to venture forth each day;
To dare to spread Your loving Word in all I do and say.
Make me a bold witness of Your glory and Your love;
Ever grateful, always thankful, for Your blessings from Above.
In this season of Passover, Pesach or Easter, the empty tomb is a reminder that He is coming back for His Bride. That includes every man, woman and child on the face of the earth. That includes you. Love and peace! MH
Beautiful poem friend ♥️
Absolutely fabulous
Thanks for your sharing of pictures and words. Resurrection Sunday. Thank you Father!!
Happy Easter Marie,! Enjoyed your Easter blog!
Such a beautiful poem, Marie! Thank you for sharing. Happy Easter friend ❣️
You are such an inspiration to me 🙏. I almost feel that I’m there in Israel. Some day 🙏 God bless you!
Very good! Enjoyed the writings and the pictures.
Enjoyed all the pictures and every word. Happy Easter to you.
Breathtaking Photos… the one of Gethsemane, and the offspring… amazing!
Shalom
And it is so nice to see all those pics of Jerusalem I miss the city so much a lovely word to this article