The Gates of Jerusalem

Deutsch English

I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no-one can shut. Revelation 3:8a (NIV)

1. Damascus Gate

The Damascus Gate became an open gateway for Saul (Paul) to encounter God. It was through this gate that Saul left the city on his journey to Damascus. He departed Jerusalem by its main road.

Two Roads

But who wants to leave the broad and magnificent road? Who wants to step away from the center of attention?

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. Matthew 7:13 (NIV)

Yet true conversion requires passing through the narrow gate.

But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:14 (NIV)

The gate stands wide open. We are welcome to come to God—Jesus has opened the door for us.

2. Paul on the Road to Damascus

Paul was traveling to Damascus as an authorized representative, carrying letters of recommendation to the Jewish community.

His mission was to track down the followers of the Way and bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem, whether men or women.

3. Near Damascus

Suddenly, a bright light from heaven shone around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice speaking to him. He was confronted with the voice of God.

The light blinded him and revealed God's greatness. He fell to the ground and heard the words: "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" Saul asked,  "Who are you, Lord?"

The voice replied,  "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city. There you will be told what you must do." (according Acts 9)

4. The Damascus Gate

For Saul, this gate became the doorway that led to an encounter with God. This happened after he had left the broad road of Jerusalem and passed through the narrow gate. Following this encounter with God, Paul became a follower of Jesus.

5. The Jaffa Gate

For Saul, this gate became the gateway to friendship with God.

• Conversion is important
• Serving God is also important
• But God is concerned not only with what we do, but also with our motivation

Are we followers of Jesus merely out of a sense of duty, or because we truly love Him?

The Arabic name for the Jaffa Gate is:

• Bab al-Khalil — the Gate of the Friend
• This is a reference to Abraham, the friend of God

Berthold Werner, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it for ever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?

2 Chronicles 20:7 (NIV)

But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend. Isaiah 41:8 (NIV)

And the scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,’ and he was called God’s friend. 

James  2:23 (ESV) 

According to tradition, Abraham is associated with this gate.

• Friendship with God means spending time with Him
• Friends meet with one another. The presence of a friend is precious
• It means listening to what your Friend has to say
• It also means reading the letters of your Friend—the Word of God
• It means using our gifts and talents to bring joy to others
• To pass through the Jaffa Gate is to become a friend of God

6. Jesus and His Friends

Greater love has no-one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 

John 15:13-15 (NIV)

Jesus earthly ministry was drawing to a close. He had a deep desire to save people.

He made it clear: "I am the door to the Father's house."

And He said:  "Enter through the narrow gate that leads to eternal life."

Author: Edith Waechter

AI-Images: 1-4,6+7: https://www.bing.com/images/create/
Image 5: Berthold Werner, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jerusalem_Jaffa_Gate_BW_1.JPG