Behold, Your Intentional King!
It was close to 90 degrees, but since it was just after 4 pm, the breeze from the Levant Wind (easterly wind from the Mediterranean Sea) blew in, cooling us through our moisture-wicking hiking clothes. As we turned the corner from walking alongside the eastern Temple Mount wall, away from the Mount of Olives, our professor struck out ahead, his long legs causing us to walk double time to catch up. He was headed towards a gate we had walked through on one of our first days, but he turned and stopped short today. Beckoning for us to stand on the narrow sidewalk that led into the Lion’s Gate.
It was at this special location that he began to explain how this was the very gate through which Jesus rode a humble donkey during His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem over 2,000 years ago. This road led from Bethany down the Mount of Olives right to this Gate, which was called the Sheep Gate back then- the very spot where sacrificial lambs were brought into the Temple area. It struck me in that moment that, not only did the King enter through these gates amid joyful praises, beautiful music, and heartfelt worship, but He also passed through the LION/LAMB Gate. Is it just a coincidence? I've come to understand that everything about our faith is intentional. We serve a King who acts with purpose and intention.
Hosanna—Behold the King!
Matthew 21:1-11 reads,
“As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
“Say to Daughter Zion,
‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Can you imagine this scene? People, especially the religious leaders, would have immediately recognized what was happening here (see 1 Kings 1:28-36). True kings ride humbly and gently on lowly animals, unlike those who have tried to seize the throne (1 Kings 1:5). The crowd would have been tenable, joyful, and ecstatic, utterly out of their minds. To them, this signalized the end of the reign of the Roman Empire. They screamed and sang in a mash-up of Aramaic and Hebrew, shouting “Hosanna!” which means (יָשַׁע, yasha) - to save, deliver and (נָא, na) – please or now. Together, they convey, “Save Us Now!” or “Please Save Us!”
According to Strong’s Lexicon, the term "Hosanna" stems from a warm Hebrew expression found in Psalm 118:25, part of the beautiful collection of psalms known as the Hallel (Psalms 113-118). This collection is joyfully sung during Jewish festivals like Passover. By the time Jesus arrived, the word "Hosanna" had blossomed into a heartfelt expression of praise, often heard during the vibrant Feast of Tabernacles. When the crowds shouted "hosanna" as Jesus entered Jerusalem, it perfectly captured their deep hope for deliverance and their acknowledgment of Him as the long-awaited Messiah. Notice how they begin by saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” These people recognized Him as King.
They began ripping branches off trees (John’s Gospel mentions that they were palm branches) and laying them on the path toward the Temple, which was used only for kings and conquerors. In ancient times, trees represented life, growth, and stability. In Jewish tradition, trees symbolize life, wisdom, and righteousness. They point us back to Eden, where life flourished in God’s presence. Laying these palm branches was more than honoring a king; it was an act that symbolized restoration—a longing to return to Eden’s wholeness. (For a great in-depth article on palm branches, check out this website.)
But knowing this about Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, the joy of the people, and the history behind it all, I wonder, “Do I consistently welcome Jesus into my life like this?” Or are we like the crowd expecting a certain kind of king?
Behold the Sacrificial Lamb
There were several intentional acts that Jesus orchestrated leading up to His final entry into Jerusalem:
First, the choice of a donkey, fulfilling Zechariah's prophecy (Zech. 9:9).
Second, His intentional entry through the Sheep Gate (aka Lion Gate), symbolizing His dual identity as the King (Lion) and the Sacrificial Lamb.
Third, the precise timing—the exact day He enters Jerusalem aligns perfectly with Exodus 12.
God’s Instructions in Exodus (Exodus 12:3, 6)
The people at that time saw one prophecy being fulfilled (Zech. 9:9), but what they missed what God’s instructions clear back before the Exodus to His People.
“Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household. … Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old. … Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the members of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight.” (Exod 12:3, 6 emphasis added)
Connecting the Dates Intentionally
Okay, let’s do some math. Passover happens on Nisan 15. Six days before Passover puts Jesus in Bethany on Nisan 9.
Karen Engle writes,
“Six days before Passover puts Jesus in Bethany on Nisan 9 (Nisan 15 minus 6 days). “The next day” would have been Nisan 10—the same “date” the Israelites were to bring “lambs without blemish” into their homes. Almost 1,500 years after the first Passover in Egypt, Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey, on Nisan 10.”
Bethany and the Anointing (John 12:1-3)
Let’s read in John 12 about this time.
“Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” – John 12:1-3
So, Jesus was given a dinner in His honor, served by Martha, fellowshipping with Lazarus, and anointed by Mary. Is anyone else putting the pieces together here? Does this take anyone else’s breath away?
The Intentional Entry (John 12:12)
John 12:12 states, “The next day...” which marks the day of Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. This “next day” corresponds to Nisan 10, the same date the Israelites were instructed to bring “lambs without blemish” into their homes. The inhabitants of Jerusalem acknowledged Jesus as their King and welcomed Him through the city gates. However, they overlooked the fact that He was also God’s chosen final Passover lamb, destined for sacrifice.
Final Sacrifice
Jesus purposely orchestrated the events of His final week, leading to His betrayal, suffering, crucifixion, death, and resurrection. Just a few days later, on Nisan 14, around 250,000 lambs were to be sacrificed in the temple courts, per God’s command in Exodus 12, while Jesus would also be crucified, our perfect and final Passover lamb.
Behold Your Intentional King
This week, as you pause on Palm Sunday to welcome the King into your life, as you move through the next week towards the day He was betrayed, crucified, and His death, think about Jesus’ intentionality. Our King, both Lion and Lamb, entered through the Gate that led to His sacrifice so that we, you and I, can be co-laborers with God again in His Kingdom. So that we can live eternally in the here, now, and not yet.
Perhaps this week, you can be intentional:
Through Worship:
Create space: Set aside intentional time daily or weekly for personal worship, free from distractions.
Music: Build playlists with worship songs specifically focusing on welcoming and honoring Jesus as King.
Expressive Worship: Write poetry, journal, or create art intentionally reflecting on Jesus’ sacrifice, kingship, and resurrection.
Through Daily Quiet Times:
Routine: Commit to a daily rhythm of Bible reading and prayer, starting or ending your day intentionally with Him.
Behold Moments Journal: Keep a journal specifically for noting where you see God intentionally moving in your life.
Guided Reflections: Use a devotional specifically focused on Holy Week or the Passion to intentionally align your heart and mind with Christ’s journey.
Through Hospitality:
Open your home: Host a simple gathering during Holy Week where you intentionally reflect on Jesus’ final days.
Communion meal: Share a meal with friends or neighbors, intentionally incorporating a moment of communion and prayer.
Service & kindness: Intentionally seek out ways to welcome others (neighbors, coworkers, newcomers at church) as you would welcome Jesus Himself.
When I traveled to Israel, I realized I'd been assuming something wrong my entire life. I had always thought that Solomon's Temple faced south. I'm not sure why I thought this, but that's what was in my mind's eye. As I sat with my classmates, our Indiana Jones-like professor (Dr. John A. Beck, a.k.a. "Jack") spoke with clarity and passion about the exact southern steps Jesus would have walked up into the Temple courtyard. My eyes began to burn with tears.
The Mount of Death and Life
Dr. Beck gestured to the East, where the Mount of Olives still lay. The hill was covered with graves and cemeteries from our vantage point on the steps. (See photo.) I had no idea that the south side of the Mount of Olives was and still is a cemetery. Tombs line the white limestone hillside. The Mount of Olives is an interesting geologic hill. The southern half of it is made up of useless and infertile limestone (hence, only suitable for graves), and the northern part is covered in fertile soil full of life that’s perfect for growing olive trees (therefore, the Garden of Gethsemane and the hill’s very name).
A week later, our professor emphasized the importance of the Temple inside the courtyard, facing East. “Why is this important?” he questioned us. He explained that most of Israel's enemies came from the East; therefore, royalty and kings always returned after battle from the East. He turned to Matthew 24:27 and read, "For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be." So the Temple faces East. So, our King will return from the East intentionally. Are you ready for Him?
