April 1 -- "Jerusalem!"

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 14 

"Jerusalem!"

Jerusalem! The very name evokes an emotional response. It seems that no one is indifferent to Jerusalem—one loves her, hates her, or is fascinated by her. Jerusalem is found 881 times in the Bible. Even people who have never walked her streets call Jerusalem the “Holy City,” situated in the midst of the “Holy Land!” 

Jerusalem is a BIG DEAL in God’s Word. In 2 Chronicles 6:6, the Lord said, “I have chosen Jerusalem that my name may be there, and I have chosen David to be over my people Israel.” Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities in the world and has been at the center of humanity’s existence since the beginning of recorded history. The first mention of Jerusalem, or the city of peace, is in Genesis 14:18, which states: “Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was a priest of the God Most High.” The final mention of Jerusalem is in Revelation 21, where the Apostle John says, “And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”

But, why did the Lord choose Jerusalem as His city? Why would God choose to place His name in such a place? Why is the “City of David” so important to God? The simple answer is – He chose Jerusalem, because He wanted to. It must have pleased Him to do so. In reality, the Lord had a story to tell to the world. He decided that Jerusalem would be the “stage” for telling humanity that story. It is the story of God’s love for mankind and His eternal plan to send a Savior into the world to rescue us from our sin. There was something God wanted us to see and He used Jerusalem to help us see it.

Not only is Jerusalem God’s city, it is also His timepiece. Jerusalem is God’s countdown clock for humanity’s survival. As you follow the events taking place in and around Jerusalem, you can see God’s clock ticking toward fulfillment of Biblical prophecy. The final events of world history will culminate there with the glorious return of Jesus Christ to the Mount of Olives. Jerusalem can be called the City of God, the City of David, the City of Zion, or simply, Zion, but there is a greater Jerusalem coming, and it is all brand new and more glorious than anyone can describe.