THE WEEK THAT SHOOK HISTORY: A 7-Day Easter Devotion by AussieDave Adamsonنموونە

Palm Sunday - Did Jesus Enter Through a Different Gate?

Want a new take on Palm Sunday?

Church tradition suggests that on Palm Sunday, Jesus entered the City of Jerusalem through the Golden Gate, which is also known as the Gate of Mercy. This was the gate kings would typically use to enter the Holy City at the time of Jesus.

It would make sense that the King of kings would go through this gate into Jerusalem during the Triumphal Entry, right?

But here's an interesting possibility to consider: Jesus didn't arrive in Jerusalem on just any day. He arrived four days before the Passover—a day Christian scholars refer to as Lamb Selection Day. On this day, Jewish families went to the Temple to select and purchase the lamb that would be their Passover sacrifice, which in Hebrew is "Korban Pesakh" (פסח קרבן, pronounced "kor-bawn peh'-sakh").

Jewish tradition holds that many of the lambs used for Temple sacrifices came from the fields around Bethlehem, just a few miles from Jerusalem. These lambs were raised by shepherds specifically for Passover, since they had to be without blemish. To make it easier for thousands of sacrificial animals to enter the city during the festival, a Sheep Gate—mentioned in Nehemiah 3—was built near the Temple. This gate allowed lambs to be brought straight into the Temple area for inspection and sacrifice.

So, what if Jesus made a right turn at the gate fit for a king, to instead enter by the nearby sheep gate? After all, Jesus was entering Jerusalem not to receive a crown, but to become our sacrifice!

Wouldn't it be a powerful symbolic connection if the Lamb of God, born in Bethlehem, went through the sheep gate on the day lambs were selected for the forgiveness of sin?

The people wanted a mighty king; But He came as a humble sacrifice. True victory often comes packaged differently than we expect.

Come on! Can I get an AMEN?

Reflection Question: How have your expectations of Jesus sometimes blinded you to how He's actually working in your life?

Action Step: Take a palm branch or leaf (or draw one) as a symbol, and as you hold it, surrender one specific expectation to God in prayer today.

Prayer: Father, sometimes I look for You to work in ways that fit my plans instead of trusting Your greater purpose. Thank You for sending Jesus who showed us true humility. Help me let go of my expectations and follow You even when Your path surprises me. May my worship come from a sincere heart. Amen.