Daily devotion – Tuesday 29th June 2021
It’s day eight of our tour, and today we walk where Jesus walked, beginning the day with a panoramic view of Mount Moriah and the Dome of the Rock from atop the Mount of Olives down to the Garden of Gethsemane.
From the Mount of Olives, we see the view that Jesus and His disciples would have seen many times in His three years of ministry. We overlook the Kidron Valley that runs between the Mount of Olives and Mount Moriah.
The one place my eyes focus on whenever we are standing at this viewpoint is the Eastern Gate (the Golden Gate) that has been bricked up that makes up part of the exterior outer wall that enclosed the Temple.
The Eastern Gate in Jesus time was the main entrance to the Temple complex.
It was the Easter Gate that Ezekiel, in a vision, saw the glory of the Lord depart before the destruction of the city – Eze 10:19 And as I watched, the cherubim flew with their wheels to the east gate of the LORD’s Temple. And the glory of the God of Israel hovered above them.
However, Ezekiel’s vision of the new Temple included the return of God’s glory through the same gate.
Ezekiel 44:1-3 Then He brought me back to the outer gate of the sanctuary which faces toward the east, but it was shut. 2 And the LORD said to me, “This gate shall be shut; it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter by it, because the LORD God of Israel has entered by it; therefore it shall be shut. 3 As for the prince, because he is the prince, he may sit in it to eat bread before the LORD; he shall enter by way of the vestibule of the gateway, and go out the same way.”
God’s use of the gate rendered it holy. It was to remain closed. Only the Prince (the Messiah) was allowed to enter it.
As you look out to the Eastern Gate, you will notice that the Muslims have bricked it up. In addition, they have also placed a cemetery before it. All this to supposedly prevent Christ from coming through the gate.
Man’s futile attempts to resist and rebel against God reveal the stupidity and lack of understanding of God’s holiness, His power and His majesty.
In Psalm 2, we see how the Lord views man’s foolishness – 1 Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans? 2 The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the LORD and against his anointed one.
3 “Let us break their chains,” they cry, “and free ourselves from slavery to God.” 4 But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them.5 Then in anger he rebukes them, terrifying them with his fierce fury.6 For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne in Jerusalem, on my holy mountain.”
This week do not be concerned at the world’s weak attempts to hold back the will of God.
God’s plan and purposes will continue to unfold in His time. Both in the world and your own life.
Man can build brick walls and plant cemeteries, but nothing will prevent Christ’s entrance through the Eastern Gate when the time arrives!