As the procession made its way around a bend in the road on the side of the Mount of Olives, Jerusalem, in all her splendor, came into full view for the first time. Herod's Temple, gleaming in the sunlight -- the very centerpiece of the city as well as symbol of all that Judaism was -- caught the attention of the crowd.

The Nazarene, eyes welling with tears, lamented the future of the fair city-state, knowing the fall that would come because they had rejected the very Messiah they had long looked for.

From here, he had many choices. He could have turned and fled from the fate that awaited him there. He could have called a strategy meeting to plan how he and his followers would overthrow the Roman occupation of their homeland and take control of the city. He could have set up camp and waited for the celebration of Passover to end so there wouldn't be so many people around.

He could have walked away.

But we are told that he had "set his face toward Jerusalem," a phrase that meant he was determined to carry out his mission. He wouldn't worry about that doubts that filled his mind; he would set aside concerns about his followers; he would step into the role his Father had prepared for him. This Prince of Peace and King of Kings would become the "lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world."

A few days later and he would be hanging on a cruel cross of crucifixion. A few days after that he would rise from the tomb in power and glory. And some 66 or so year later, the walls of the Temple -- now shining so righteously on top of the opposite mountain -- would be taken apart, stone by stone, as the Romans destroyed the city.

It was the beginning of a new day. It was the beginning of a new way of life. It was the beginning of the New Covenant.

It was quite a day.

The Shepherd's Heart appears Thursday.