Jerusalem all time webcam (view from Sheraton Plaza)

In a schematic 15th century map of the world by Heinnrich Buenting, the three petals representing Asia, Africa and Europe, the only known continents then, meet in the center of the world which is Jerusalem. Well before the twentieth century and the advent of radio and television Jerusalem was known to more people than any other city in the world.

The most probable reason for this was the sanctity bestowed on Jerusalem in the Hebrew Scriptures where the building of the Temple is so extensively described. This, Temple built by King Solomon, was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BCE and the Jewish community exiled.

Before a century had passed, under the leadership of Ezra, Nehemiah and Zerubbabel, a modest Temple was built on the ruins of that which was destroyed. Over the centuries both the Hasmonean kings and King Herod further embellished and in the Roman period this, the Second Temple, was known as one of the most beautiful edifices in the Roman Empire.

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That same sanctity was attested to in the New Testament. "Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom, and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. … After three days they found in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.'' (Luke 2:41-47)

It was during one of his Passover visits to the Temple, accompanied by his disciples, that Jesus "poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables." (John 2:13-16)  The Temple no longer exists but thanks to archaeological excavations modern pilgrims can sit on the southern steps that led to the temple and walk on the western pavement which went the length of the Temple Mount enclosure.

From Mount Olives pilgrims look down on the Temple Mount as Jesus did two thousand years ago. They follow his footsteps down the mountain, to the place where he wept and prophesied the destruction of Jerusalem, to the Garden of Gethsemane, where he prayed in agony and was betrayed by Judas.

And within the five hundred year old walls of the Old City they follow the way of the Cross, from the praetorium where he was scourged and the crown of thorns placed on his head to the place of the crucifixion, the tomb and the resurrection. And at every one of these sites they stop and offer prayers.

You too can say a prayer which will blend in to the chorus of many tongues which lifts into the skies above Jerusalem.

Tradition teaches that Jesus Christ made one entry into Jerusalem called the "Triumphal Entry," and that this entry took place on Palm Sunday.  Such teaching is not in accordance with the word of God.  When we examine the Gospels carefully, we find that Jesus entered Jerusalem a first time on Friday, the ninth of Nisan, "In Judgment," and a second time on Saturday, the tenth of Nisan, "In Blessing."  He rode into Jerusalem on each of these days and the people cut palm leaves and spread their clothing in the way before him on each of these days.  Also please note regarding the days before the crucifixion the Gospel of Luke records: Luke 19:47
   And he taught daily in the temple.  But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him.

    The facts of the mater are that Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem daily and taught the people in the Temple during this time period.  The boldness of our Lord and Savior is remarkable. As the chief priests and rulers of the people were determined to capture and kill him, he daily entered Jerusalem and taught in the Temple.

   The Gospel of Mark establishes a basic timeline.

Mark 11:1-11
      On Friday, the ninth of Nisan, Jesus Christ was about to enter Jerusalem.  He asked two of his disciples to bring him ONE colt which he rode into the city.  On the way into Jerusalem, the Gospel of Luke records that Jesus wept over the city and pronounced judgment.  Jesus entered Jerusalem, went into the Temple, looked around, then returned to Bethany in the evening.  This was his "Entry in Judgment."

Mark 11:12-19
   The next day (Saturday, the tenth of Nisan) when they were come from Bethany, Jesus stopped along the way and cursed a fig tree.  This happened before he entered Jerusalem and before he threw the moneychangers out of the Temple.  Details regarding this entry are recorded in the Gospel of Matthew where we see that he rode into Jerusalem on TWO animals - an ass and the colt of an ass.  Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem and cleansed the Temple for Passover by casting the moneychangers out.  In the evening he left the city.  This was also the day on which the Passover lamb was selected by the people.  This was his "Entry in Blessing."

Mark 11:20-21
    In the morning (Sunday, the eleventh of Nisan) the disciples saw the cursed fig tree on the way to Jerusalem had withered away overnight.  After they entered the city of Jerusalem, Jesus Christ approached a second fig tree (which according to Matthew 21 happened the day after he had cleansed the Temple of the moneychangers) which he also cursed and it immediately withered before their eyes.  One tree was located on the way to Jerusalem.  One was approached as they entered into the city.  One tree withered overnight.  One tree withered immediately.  The situations are similar but NOT identical.

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