Johann Quisumbing

An Adventure Story of Yeshua bar Yosef by JQuisumbing

“Tell me again, why are we going through the Sheep Gate?” Ia asked while holding his nose. Some of the men were laughing lightly at him because though he was from a farm, he hates being around animals. Yeshua joined in with them.

An hour earlier, they were considering climbing the steps to the east gate of the Temple Mount. From their encampment, they could have followed the crowd of pilgrims heading to the Temple. Those who were camped out farther down in the valley would cross the bridge over the Kidron stream; follow a gravel causeway that led to a fifteen foot high barrier wall, upon which are dual open arches, entrances to a series of wide stairs that ascends about sixty feet to the Temple Mount’s Golden Gate. Yeshua chose not to enter that way. From the writings of Ezekiel¹, he recalled the prophecy of how he would enter through that gate as its rightful king, but not just yet. Instead, he chose the entry point that was on the northeast face of the mount, at the base of which was the staging area of flocks of sheep and goats as well as herds of cattle. Animals bred and nurtured for the sacrifice. The passage to the top was narrow and steep but manageable. The gate itself was recessed deep into the mount’s perimeter wall and because the massive edifice of the Roman fortress, Antonia, was looming nearby, it was in perpetual shadow.

When Yeshua and only a few of his followers emerged from under a cavernous chamber into the light, they were greeted by some irate priests tasked to closely inspect the animals for blemishes. 

Yohanen whispered into his ears, “they do not approve our use of this particular gate.”

“You would think that the ‘Lamb of Adonai’ would qualify,” he humorously whispered back.

Leaving the bleating of the animals behind, he led them among the colonnades of Solomon; a long elevated corridor that spanned the length of the vast Temple Court of the Nations. Three rows of fifteen feet tall columns equally spaced held up a vaulted ceiling. The corridor was so long, the other end could not be seen. As they strolled through, they would pass clusters of people listening to a rabbi sitting on a bench under a column. Then they arrived at the portico of the Golden Gate. Pilgrims were streaming in and so Yeshua joined the flow. As they emerged from under the shadowy colonnades, what stood massively before them was a sight that was meant to impress a sense of magnificence. It was the Temple complex rebuilt by the long gone King Herod the first. His companions were discussing among themselves on its lavishness and opulence, but Yeshua, still standing at the top of the steps, was remembering another Temple; the original House of Adonai.

Everything around him seemed to freeze in time and the baroque styled structures that surrounded the Temple melted into nothingness. Even the opulent decoration on its external facade of which the long gone king had lavishly spent shimmered away. On the very site where Adonai restrained the hand of Abraham from offering his son as sacrifice of which also the Lord provided another as substitute, appeared the first Temple, though built by Solomon but was originally envisioned by David. It was simpler in its outward appearance just like its predecessor, the Tabernacle, carefully folded and stored deep within. Then, he found himself inside. The contrast within could not be anymore opposite. Where the exterior was visibly and purposely moderate, the interior was incredibly obverse. 

Yeshua stood just within the threshold. As his human eyes beheld the interior’s aesthetics, he could not help but admire greatly what Huram, Solomon’s chosen master craftsman, had beautifully produced. The sacred sanctuary, from floor to a lofty ceiling were overlaid in shimmering gold – gold from the mines of Parvaim at the southern end of Arabia.² Lining the walls were ten tall lampstands, made of hammered gold. Six branches stemmed out from the center, each with beautifully crafted buds and petals.^3a  He looked at the golden table with twelve ‘Bread of Presence’, still steaming from the oven. His eyes focused on the incense altar at the far end of the chamber. It stood thirty six inches high, again overlaid with gold the top of which was a recessed square with four triangular protrusions on the corners called ‘horns’.^3b A priest had lit a fresh incense and he watched the wispy trail of smoke dissipate into the rafters. Then, his eyes beheld the elaborate gold-thread design of angels woven on the deep azure fabric of the Veil. Behind that veil is the holiest place in the entire world. 

It is the only place where all men fear to tread except for him. However, he will not cross that threshold, not until…  But his human self – son of man – yearned to see that inner sanctum with its massive sculptured cherubims, wings spread wide touching the walls.^4a Both golden monuments towered over the holiest object, the Ark of the Covenant made holy by the touch of his Father’s hand.^4b A recurring thought sprang back to him, ‘On the outside, it is as plain as can be. But the truest self is what is inside.’ Then Yeshua was outside again. 

‘Do you know why that is, son of man?’ asked an echoing voice, but before Yeshua could answer, the voice said, ‘It is a prophetic intimation of… You… you… you… you…’ (echoes fade).

TO BE CONTINUED…

Footnotes: [1] Ezekiel 44:1-3; [2] 1 Kings 6-8; 2 Chronicles 3-5; [3a,3b] Exodus 37:17-22; 37:25-28; [4a] 2 Chronicles 3:10-14; [4b] Ark of the Covenant – Exodus 37:1-9;

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