Me too! When we were in Israel, we heard the story of Palm Sunday right where it all happened. It's too long to write out for you, and I'm not a good storyteller! There is so much detail, and I would not do it justice! I will tell you, though, that palm branches were a symbol of liberation and freedom going back (at least) to the time of the second century BC. There was a great revolt and Judas Maccabee won the battle against the Seleucids. The coin the Jews used soon after had a palm branch on one side and "God save us!" inscribed on the other. PSALM 118:25-27 ~ "God save us; O LORD grant us success. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you. The LORD is God and he has made his light shine upon us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar."
This is the road Jesus and the crowds would have used to travel down the Mount of Olives and right into the city of Jerusalem. I can't describe to you how awesome it was to walk it and remember ... LUKE 19:38 ~ "Bless the King who comes in the name of the LORD! Peace in heaven and glory in highest heaven!"
On the slopes of the Mount of Olives is the oldest and largest Jewish cemetary in the world. It existed in the time of Christ. The Hosanna Road (that's what people call it!) goes right by these grave stones. The Pharisees asked Jesus to rebuke his followers for shouting, "Hosanna!" We learned it was against Roman law for any one to give honor to anyone but Caesar ~ and the waving of palm branches was outlawed as well.
And what did Jesus say to the Pharisees? "If they (the people) keep quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!" (Luke 19:40). WHAT STONES? Take a look at the graves! Our guide told us Jesus could be saying that if the people kept quiet, even the dead would get up from their graves, even the unclean would give praise, honor and glory to God! Isn't that awesome? We were also reminded that Jesus didn't enter Jerusalem rejoicing ... but weeping. We had a long discussion about that as well. There was so much to study about!
It was incredible to be there, study these texts, walk the road to Jerusalem and worship the King! Above is a picture of the Mount of Olives taken from Temple Mount.
This is the road Jesus and the crowds would have used to travel down the Mount of Olives and right into the city of Jerusalem. I can't describe to you how awesome it was to walk it and remember ... LUKE 19:38 ~ "Bless the King who comes in the name of the LORD! Peace in heaven and glory in highest heaven!"On the slopes of the Mount of Olives is the oldest and largest Jewish cemetary in the world. It existed in the time of Christ. The Hosanna Road (that's what people call it!) goes right by these grave stones. The Pharisees asked Jesus to rebuke his followers for shouting, "Hosanna!" We learned it was against Roman law for any one to give honor to anyone but Caesar ~ and the waving of palm branches was outlawed as well.And what did Jesus say to the Pharisees? "If they (the people) keep quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!" (Luke 19:40). WHAT STONES? Take a look at the graves! Our guide told us Jesus could be saying that if the people kept quiet, even the dead would get up from their graves, even the unclean would give praise, honor and glory to God! Isn't that awesome? We were also reminded that Jesus didn't enter Jerusalem rejoicing ... but weeping. We had a long discussion about that as well. There was so much to study about!It was incredible to be there, study these texts, walk the road to Jerusalem and worship the King! Above is a picture of the Mount of Olives taken from Temple Mount. 
2 comments:
Mom, I love this perspective on 'the stones' crying out. If I could take any trip with you, I would love to go to Jerusalem...to Israel. I value your perspective and enjoy conversation with you so much! It would be wonderful to share time reflecting on Jesus from the place where He lived. I am just wishing...
As I am re-reading the transcript of our 2004 trip, I am re-living it all over again ... such amazing teaching, provoking new perspectives, life-changing stuff. I wish everyone had the opportunity to go there and study. It's hard to find adequate words to really describe it! I hope you get to do this some day, Rachel!
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