May 21
Approaching His house
Ellen G. White
"God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him." — Psalm 89:7 · KJV
Surmounting the hills in view of the Holy City, they looked with reverent awe upon the throngs of worshipers wending their way to the temple. They saw the smoke of the incense ascending, and as they heard the trumpets of the Levites heralding the sacred service, they caught the inspiration of the hour, and sang:
“Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised In the city of our God, in the mountain of His holiness. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, Is Mount Zion, on the sides of the north, The city of the great King.” Psalm 48:1, 2.
“Peace be within thy walls, And prosperity within thy palaces.” “Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord.” “I will pay my vows unto the Lord Now in the presence of all His people, In the courts of the Lord's house, In the midst of thee, O Jerusalem, Praise ye the Lord.” Psalm 122:7; 118:19; Psalm 116:18, 19.
All the houses in Jerusalem were thrown open to the pilgrims, and rooms were furnished free; but this was not sufficient for the vast assembly, and tents were pitched in every available space in the city and upon the surrounding hills.
On the fourteenth day of the month, at even, the Passover was celebrated, its solemn, impressive ceremonies commemorating the deliverance from bondage in Egypt, and pointing forward to the sacrifice that should deliver from the bondage of sin. When the Saviour yielded up His life on Calvary, the significance of the Passover ceased, and the ordinance of the Lord's Supper was instituted as a memorial of the same event of which the Passover had been a type.