When you visit the Old City of Jerusalem, one of the places you will be taken to is the Eastern Gate which faces directly opposite the Mount of Olives. The Eastern Wall of which the gate is a part has a long history with some sections of it dating back to the sixth century BC and according to Jewish tradition, the gate was originally named Shushan – after the Persian city of Susa – as a reminder to the Jews of their return from exile by decree of Cyrus. The gate was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD but a ceremonial gate was built in 629 AD to honour the visit of the Byzantine emperor.

Today, when you stand before the gate, you will see it is completely sealed up with brickwork – no one can enter or leave the Old City via that gate!

Why?

During the Crusades of the Middle Ages, the gate was sealed by the Muslims to prevent the Jewish Messiah from entering Jerusalem!

Of particular interest, Jewish prophecies not only predicted Messiah would come from the East through this gate, but that He would also come riding on a donkey.

On Palm Sunday it is most likely Jesus entered Jerusalem through the Eastern Gate as it was the most direct route to the Temple. Riding on a donkey, the symbol of a man of peace, He fulfilled several prophecies made centuries before about this momentous event in history.

Most significant of all, Jesus “came into the Temple”, fulfilling Malachi 3:1 which stated, “The Lord will come suddenly to His temple but who can endure the day of His coming?”

While the significance of Jesus’ coming to the city and the Temple was lost on the people of the day, absolutely nothing could have prevented it from happening because in the eternal purposes of God, it triggered the next stage in God’s plan of salvation for the world.

Prophecy also predicts Jesus will return through the Eastern Gate to set up His earthly Kingdom and on that day, no bricked-up gate will stop Him then either!

Today’s Bible reading: Mark 11:11