LENT- 2016

GOING TO JERUSALEM

Saturday, February 27

The Lament Over Jerusalem: Matthew 23: 37 – 39

After his fiery “rant”, Jesus rekindles his compassionate nature. His words are indeed very touching and tender words. “How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings… (v.37).

He is speaking to the city of Jerusalem, the very epicentre of the Jewish religion and faith. It is both the religious and political capital of the nation. But more than that, it represents past, present and future, a point in history, time and place, in which God symbolically resides and rules over his Chosen People. “Blessed be the Lord from Zion, he who resides in Jerusalem. Praise the Lord!” (Ps.135:21)

But Jerusalem has become a much troubled place in Jesus’ time. It is occupied by Rome. Its traditional leadership, priests, lawyers, Pharisees, Sadducees, etc., are in conflict, often with one another, concerning the best way to deal with its Roman oppressors, among other matters of faith and Jewish practice. The Temple is awash in shoddy and questionable dealings. There is poverty, of course, and disease, as most cities must contend with. Jesus’ words seem to echo, forlornly, the words from Psalm 128;

            The Lord bless you from Zion.
            May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
                  all the days of your life.
            May you see your children’s children.
            Peace be upon Israel! (v.5-6)

Except there was something terribly wrong about Jerusalem. It needed healing, redemption, renewal and it needed to recognize and respect the presence of God. “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.”

Imagine if Jesus was to pray today (no doubt, he does) over the major cities on this planet -  Ottawa, Washington, London, Moscow, Baghdad, Beijing, Mexico City, etc. What would he be praying for in your city, town or village? Perhaps, it is your rural community.

How would Jesus fill God’s ears as he looked out upon our streets, offices, stores, governments, factories, homes, schools, hospitals, jails, back alleys, and so on? How would Jesus describe the character of the communities in which we live? What would Jesus find in the hearts and minds of the citizenry? What would Jesus see going on in the churches that are being run in his name?  

Would it make Jesus lament, as he does in this text? “How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings… (v.37).

In Revelation 21, the New Jerusalem is God’s sacred, glorious gift, coming into the world to be an abiding place of whole and abundant Life. But as we anticipate this event, let us pray for our neighbourhoods and communities, and our cities. Let us in the name of Jesus work for their healing, their renewal, their integrity, their compassion and honour.

            “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

                  May they prosper who love you.
                  Peace be within your walls,
                  and security within your towers.”
            For the sake of my relatives and friends
            I will say, “peace be within you.”
            For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
                   I will seek your good. (Psalm 122: 6 9)