March 24, 2002

Palm Sunday Walk

[West Bank, Palestine] Today I took the walk that Jesus took from Bethphage on the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem. I estimate about over 1,000 other walkers participated in the procession. The assembly was made from many different groups -- each group sang songs of worship, prayed, or walked silently.

In case you missed church today, I looked up the Palm Sunday passages for you: Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19, and John 12 all provide a description of Jesus entering Jerusalem from the mountain.

Mark 11:1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives...

The Mount of Olives

View of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives

Mark 11:8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields.

Walking through the Streets

Mark 11:9-11 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,
"Hosanna!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!"
"Hosanna in the highest!"
Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple.

Entering Jerusalem

Soldiers Watched the Walkers