Will you meet me at the Gate?

Jesus, I have to be honest. I don't know if I would have rode into town that day. I mean, the "Hosanna!" and palm branches would have been cool and everything, but if I knew what was coming.... 

You could have taken the road from Bethany that headed south to Bethlehem (we all like visiting our birth place). But you rode west to Jerusalem (we all would rather avoid our death place). It would have taken longer to go to Bethlehem, but it wouldn't have been as dangerous.

You could have rode a little to the north and the east and visited Jericho. The history of walls falling as God's people claimed what he had given them would have been encouraging and not as costly.

You could have gone straight north and made the big trip back to the Sea of Galilee. It's a great vacation spot! It's the area of miracles - walking on the water! But you rode the shortest and most costly distance. You rode to your own funeral.

I'm wondering, what did you think about during that 2 mile journey? Were you excited about going home? Did you even bother packing, because you knew it would be a one way trip? Did you know that one day you'd ask me to give my life too?

I guess I need to learn how to lay my life down don't I? I'd rather take longer trips that are filled with personal nostalgia, or memories of great victories, or places that remind me of how you worked in my life. I'd rather not take the short trip to giving all of my life to you. 

You set the example for me and took the trip that cost you everything because of your love for the Father. 

So here I sit on my in my driveway at Bethany looking to the north, over my shoulder to the east and down to the south, wondering if there is a way to follow you without making the short trip west. The ironic thing is, I know the joy of the party is on the other side of the cross. It's just, it would be so nice to visit Galilee this time of year.

But, I'm following you to Jerusalem. Will you meet me at the gate?