Jerusalem: God's special city. The city where David and Solomon ruled. The place where the temple was built and God's presence dwelled in a unique manner. The city God allowed to be destroyed because of idolatry and rebellion. The city that He led Nehemiah to rebuild.
Jesus came to that city and found it still falling far short of what God expected. Jesus, knowing both the past, the present and the terrible future of Jerusalem (it was destroyed 40 years after He died), cared deeply for this city.
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you,how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings,and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord." Matthew 23:37 - 39
Yes, the city of Jerusalem experienced special treatment from God - both blessing and cursing. But it is not the only city God loves. Cities are important to God for a number of reasons. Primarily, surely, because so many millions of those for whom Jesus died live in cities.
Here in Hanoi, some of us are learning to care more deeply for this city where God has placed us. No, it has no history to parallel that of Jerusalem. But it has far more people in it than Jerusalem has ever had. They are people for whom Jesus died. We know God must love this city deeply and we want to love it as He does. We want to live out that love more effectively in the days ahead.
Who loves the city where you live? Could you love it more for God's sake?
Jesus came to that city and found it still falling far short of what God expected. Jesus, knowing both the past, the present and the terrible future of Jerusalem (it was destroyed 40 years after He died), cared deeply for this city.
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you,how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings,and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord." Matthew 23:37 - 39
Yes, the city of Jerusalem experienced special treatment from God - both blessing and cursing. But it is not the only city God loves. Cities are important to God for a number of reasons. Primarily, surely, because so many millions of those for whom Jesus died live in cities.
Here in Hanoi, some of us are learning to care more deeply for this city where God has placed us. No, it has no history to parallel that of Jerusalem. But it has far more people in it than Jerusalem has ever had. They are people for whom Jesus died. We know God must love this city deeply and we want to love it as He does. We want to live out that love more effectively in the days ahead.
Who loves the city where you live? Could you love it more for God's sake?
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