Coming up short on takeaways again, I turned to Tom's post. I have the same feelings he suggests and I bet they are only made stronger by visiting Jerusalem in person.
from tom--
I will never forget walking through the Lion Gate into the Old City of Jerusalem. I can remember the narrow streets winding like a labyrinth and open markets in the four quarters. I can still feel the tension I experienced as I walked to the Western Wall and approached the back entrance to the Dome of the Rock.
Everyone who has the opportunity to do so should visit Jerusalem at least once in his or her lifetime. There are many things that I will never understand about the prophetic words and themes of God’s Message. I listen to scholars and teachers expound on their interpretation of this and that passage and it makes my humble brain spin like I’m on the Silly Silo at Adventureland.
I have found however, that there are some unmistakeable signposts on God’s prophetic roadmap. Most clearly, I’ve come to realize that Jerusalem is at the epicenter of God’s story on Earth. When you visit the city you begin to feel it, and to see it more clearly. It is a bubbling cauldron of religious fervor, political passion, and the seething conflict the two produce. In the many years I’ve been walking this faith journey, I’ve come to understand, as Zechariah reminded me in today’s chapter, that all prophetic tributaries lead back to this one place.
I have known many people who become so preoccupied with prophecy that they seem lost in a spiritual maze. I have no desire to find myself trapped inside prophetic puzzles. Nevertheless, I heed Jesus’ warning to be alert and aware of signs of the times. For me, that means keeping one eye fixed on what is happening in Jerusalem.
thanks to Tom...again
Knut
I love how Tom writes.....he has a real gift for making it easy. That might sound funny, but I'm serious. I love the reference to Adventureland!
ReplyDeleteI have been feeling the same thing he references. Jerusalem is pivotal to God. He talks about its importance repeatedly, especially in these minor prophets. I tend to think that everything on earth is of the same importance to God. But, that clearly isn't the case. I wonder if there is something truly sacred about that place, or perhaps it is just the symbolic center-piece to everything God interaction with us. You could think of it like an antenna.
The other think I've been thinking about lately is how it seems to please God if we designate some portion of earth to him. Lots of people from Abraham to Moses built altars to God......not as a permanent place of residence, but more or less a memoriam to how awesome God really is. Jerusalem could be the ultimate expression of that idea. In those days the temple was the center of the city. And that was the ultimate temple. Therefore, it served as the epitomy of the recognition of this "ULTIMATENESS!" If we allow the one thing that represents our love for God, in material form, to lay in ruin.......that's probably not a good thing.
Whoa!
remember in Old School when Will Ferrell is debating....and he blacks out and starts talking in a much more intelligent manner than he really is?.....I think that's what just happened. I started writing, and that sort of came out.
God works in wonderous ways.
ha! you are right though it is amazing how central Jerusalem was back in the day and continues to be in 'modern' times.
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