PALM SUNDAY

גילי מאד בת־ציון הריעי בת ירושלם הנה מלכך יבוא לך צדיק ונושע הוא עני ורכב על־חמור ועל־עיר בן־אתנות׃

"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He [is] just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey."

Zechariah 9:9

This is one of the many prophecies of the Messiah that the people of Israel have waited thousands and hundreds of years to see the fulfillment of.

Zechariah envisioned the Messiah.. the righteous ruler who was to come to Israel... partially described above... fulfilled in: 

Matthew 21:5-7

"Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: "Hosanna to the Son of David! 'Blessed [is] He who comes in the name of the LORD!' Hosanna in the highest!"

And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, "Who is this?"

So the multitudes said, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee."

Entering in through the Lion's Gate
from the mount of Olives.
Followers of Yeshua are among the throng of people;
 from all over the world.
Trying to walk the path that Jesus through
Yerushalayim. 

Spaniards came with a full band of worshippers
 singing Hosanna in Spanish and Italian.
Their joy and passion was the greatest
of all praises in the Parade.
 The heart of Worship of our savior was
exalted in this multitude of worshippers.

However, this is in Jerusalem, Israel. Although many Christians came with a pure heart to worship our Lord and Saviour, Yeshua Meschiach, there seemed to be a pervading political oppression. There were many arab christians, some arabic music (I wish was translated), and the overriding leaders and participants of the multitude were Catholic. There was even a sign pointing from a Parish in Palestine... as if the walk for them became more than just glory for the Lord.. but for Palestine.

Arabic Christian groups filled the multitude. The backdrop of Jerusalem is notably marked by the Muslim mosque in the background. 

Israeli Police ready for any aggression at the Mount of Olives.

Catholic Arab Parish

As we entered from the Lion's Gate right into the Muslim quarter.. we were ushered into a courtyard where the sound of Arabic music coming from this balcony's loudspeaker drowned out the worship. The courtyard was somewhat enclosed where a Catholic priest was getting ready to presume a Mass. Without meaning to jump to conclusions, but because the music was not translated I cannot tell you what it said. But I can tell you that the Muslim's and the Catholics seem to have a deep connection. The Jews are not a part of this mixture of people. 

Wall posts as you enter into Muslim quarter

Without trying to create a racial divide. Walking in this procession made me notice that it is possible that the Arabic nations have more easily converted into believing the Christ Messiah is Jesus, Yeshua, or in Arabic: Isa, Eesa, or EESHO M'SHEEKHA (Jesus Messiah) in Aramaic (http://www.answering-christianity.com/name_of_jesus.htm gives an interesting study of the name of Jesus in linguistics and history). 

Personally, as I've come to Israel to visit the Jews first in the name of Yeshua, my Lord, I am facing the realities of this nation. Having a heart for the Jews I see how few Christian Jews I see, many more Arab Christians, and yet most are Catholic. When we look at the Catholic Church of the Holy Sepulchre (the place of Jesus' burial according to Constantine), and as I learned under Pastor John Bonner, a Muslim holds the key to this place, I can't help but question who's really in charge of this all. 

The man who holds the key to the church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Even Israel is distinctively stamped by a Mosque, in the place where the Holy Temple of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob used to be, and they are waiting to rebuild on this Temple Mound. 

This marks the kind of oppression Israel and Jerusalem is under. There are still great forces of darkness oppressing the people, the city, and the world. This is the barometer of the world. 

As a Christian, we believe that Yeshua came for the Jews first. To free them first spiritually (with His sacrificial death on the cross), and then physically (when He returns to reign on earth). 

I came to Israel for the Jews first; 

but it is inseparably surrounded by the nations, and especially the Muslims in the heart of Jerusalem, the city of David.