JESUS’ LAST JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM
Jerusalem holds deep significance in biblical history and prophecy. It was the ancient city of Salem where Melchizedek, the king and priest of God Most High, offered sacrifices to God and blessed Abram, as recorded in Genesis 14:18-20. Melchizedek’s unique dual role as both king and priest prefigured the coming of Jesus Christ, as noted in Psalm 110:4: “You are a priest forever in the manner of Melchizedek.” This prophecy is affirmed in Hebrews 7:17: “For it is witnessed of him, ‘You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.'”
The spiritual journey to Jerusalem deepened when God commanded Abram to sacrifice his son Isaac as a burnt offering on Mount Moriah (Gen 22:2). Many scholars believe that Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified, is part of Mount Moriah. This connection underscores the continuity and fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan from the Old Testament to the New Testament. From the time of King David, Jerusalem became the central place for sacrifices, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus would make.
Jesus’ final journey to Jerusalem was filled with purpose and divine significance. Although He had traveled to Jerusalem numerous times to observe Jewish feasts, His last entry was unique. It was marked by a sense of fulfillment and a mission to complete the work His Father had given Him. Jesus entered Jerusalem solemnly yet humbly, fulfilling the prophecy from Zechariah 9:9: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
This entrance portrayed Jesus as the humble King of Peace and the High Priest who was about to offer Himself as the perfect and final sacrifice for the atonement of humanity’s sins. His entry on a donkey symbolized peace rather than the warhorse of a conquering king. This moment was a declaration of His messianic identity and the beginning of the Passion Week, leading to His crucifixion, death, and resurrection.
Throughout His ministry, Jesus taught about the Kingdom of God, healed the sick, raised the dead, and offered forgiveness of sins. His journey to Jerusalem encapsulated the climax of His earthly ministry. He was not just another prophet or teacher; He was the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (Jn 1:29). His sacrifice on the cross was the ultimate victory over sin, death, and Satan, fulfilling the prophecy in Genesis 3:15 that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent’s head.
REFLECTION
As Christians, Jesus’ last journey to Jerusalem reminds us of the depth of God’s love and the lengths to which He went to redeem us. It calls us to reflect on the sacrificial nature of Christ’s love and to embrace the call to take up our own crosses and follow Him (Lk 9:23). Jesus’ humble entry into Jerusalem as a King of Peace encourages us to pursue humility, peace, and servanthood in our lives.
Moreover, His role as the High Priest after the order of Melchizedek reassures us of His eternal intercession on our behalf. We are reminded that Jesus is not only our Savior but also our Advocate with the Father (1 Jn 2:1). This truth should fill us with confidence to approach God’s throne of grace with boldness, knowing that we have a compassionate and understanding High Priest.
In our spiritual journey, let us continually look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Heb 12:2), drawing strength from His example and His sacrifice. Let us live lives worthy of the calling we have received, sharing the love and grace of Christ with others, and looking forward to the day when we will be united with Him in the New Jerusalem.