Luke 19:28-48
Jesus was "going up to Jerusalem" (Luke 19:28). Jesus "wept over" Jerusalem (Luke 19:41).
There are different ways of looking at Jerusalem. We can look at this city from the point of view of (a) the historian; (b) the tourist; (c) the politician; (d) the believer.
(a) the historian
A study of the history of Jerusalem is of considerable interest, We must, however, take care that we don't live in the past. We must press on to the future. Jesus was "going to Jerusalem." It was His love for us which kept Him going. He looked forward to the fulfilment of God's purpose of love. Let's give thanks for God's past blessings. Why? - We look back so that we might be inspired to move forward. God is calling us on to His future. It is the future of His Kingdom. It is the future, which is eternal life.
(b) the tourist
A trip to "the Holy Land" (Israel) and "the Holy City" (Jerusalem) is, for many people, a highlight of their life. It's the fulfilment of a lifelong ambition. There's a thin line between a "holy day" and a "holiday." Many people have a great holiday in Israel. They enjoy their visit to Jerusalem. Do they love Jesus more aas a result of going to "the Holy Land" and "the Holy City"? Holiness concerns the way we live all year round. This is very different from spending a week visiting "the Holy Land" and "the Holy City." The Saviour died and rose again in Jerusalem. he is still with us here-and-now. We don't have to travel to Jerusalem to be where he is. he is with us. he wants to bless us here. He wants to bless us now. We don't have to travel many miles, at great expense, to meet with Jesus. Here, in our daily life, we can know that we are loved by Jesus, our Saviour. Today, in this place, we can enjoy the blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(c) the politician
The current situation in Jerusalem is complex and confusing. It's difficult to understand. What are we to do as we think about present-day Jerusalem? - "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem" (Psalm 122:6). As we pray for present-day Jerusalem, we must not lose sight of the great future God has in store for all who put their trust in Him through His Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. The New Testament speaks of this future. It's the Jerusalem that is above. It's the heavenly Jerusalem. It's the new Jerusalem. We must look beyond the words of the politicians. We must also read the words of prophecy, which lead us beyond the confusion of Jerusalem's present situation to the glory of God's heavenly and eternal Kingdom.
(d) the believer
* In Galatians 4:25-26, Paul contrasts "the present city of Jerusalem" and "the Jerusalem that is above." We look forward to something far better than "the present city of Jerusalem."
* In Hebrews 12:18-24, the writer contrasts Mount Sinai, where the Ten Commandments were given, and "Mount Zion", "the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God."
* In Revelation 3:11-13, the coming Christ calls us to be overcomers, as we travel towards "the new Jerusalem" - "the city of our God."
* In Revelation 21:1-4, 10-11, we read about the glorious future which becomes ours through faith in Christ. Let the glory of God shine upon you. Let it lead you to the Holy City.
Jesus was "going up to Jerusalem" (Luke 19:28). Jesus "wept over" Jerusalem (Luke 19:41).
There are different ways of looking at Jerusalem. We can look at this city from the point of view of (a) the historian; (b) the tourist; (c) the politician; (d) the believer.
(a) the historian
A study of the history of Jerusalem is of considerable interest, We must, however, take care that we don't live in the past. We must press on to the future. Jesus was "going to Jerusalem." It was His love for us which kept Him going. He looked forward to the fulfilment of God's purpose of love. Let's give thanks for God's past blessings. Why? - We look back so that we might be inspired to move forward. God is calling us on to His future. It is the future of His Kingdom. It is the future, which is eternal life.
(b) the tourist
A trip to "the Holy Land" (Israel) and "the Holy City" (Jerusalem) is, for many people, a highlight of their life. It's the fulfilment of a lifelong ambition. There's a thin line between a "holy day" and a "holiday." Many people have a great holiday in Israel. They enjoy their visit to Jerusalem. Do they love Jesus more aas a result of going to "the Holy Land" and "the Holy City"? Holiness concerns the way we live all year round. This is very different from spending a week visiting "the Holy Land" and "the Holy City." The Saviour died and rose again in Jerusalem. he is still with us here-and-now. We don't have to travel to Jerusalem to be where he is. he is with us. he wants to bless us here. He wants to bless us now. We don't have to travel many miles, at great expense, to meet with Jesus. Here, in our daily life, we can know that we are loved by Jesus, our Saviour. Today, in this place, we can enjoy the blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(c) the politician
The current situation in Jerusalem is complex and confusing. It's difficult to understand. What are we to do as we think about present-day Jerusalem? - "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem" (Psalm 122:6). As we pray for present-day Jerusalem, we must not lose sight of the great future God has in store for all who put their trust in Him through His Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. The New Testament speaks of this future. It's the Jerusalem that is above. It's the heavenly Jerusalem. It's the new Jerusalem. We must look beyond the words of the politicians. We must also read the words of prophecy, which lead us beyond the confusion of Jerusalem's present situation to the glory of God's heavenly and eternal Kingdom.
(d) the believer
* In Galatians 4:25-26, Paul contrasts "the present city of Jerusalem" and "the Jerusalem that is above." We look forward to something far better than "the present city of Jerusalem."
* In Hebrews 12:18-24, the writer contrasts Mount Sinai, where the Ten Commandments were given, and "Mount Zion", "the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God."
* In Revelation 3:11-13, the coming Christ calls us to be overcomers, as we travel towards "the new Jerusalem" - "the city of our God."
* In Revelation 21:1-4, 10-11, we read about the glorious future which becomes ours through faith in Christ. Let the glory of God shine upon you. Let it lead you to the Holy City.
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