Sep 02 – PEACE OF JERUSALEM!

 “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalms 122:6).

Jerusalem means “ Peaceful City”.  “Peace” should commence from Jerusalem and spread across Judea, Samaria and the entire world.

The spiritual meaning of Jerusalem denotes your heart.  The Lord our Emperor, should keep your heart as His capital city of Jerusalem and rule over; He should sit as a Prince of Peace in His throne – our heart.  Jerusalem is within you.  It is essential that you, who follow the Prince of Peace, should know the peaceful ways of life.  To tread on the path of peace is of paramount importance. One should live in peace with the fellow human beings and the God.

Have a look at the worldly Jerusalem. During His reign, King David cast out the Jebusite and made Jerusalem his own city. King Solomon, who succeeded King David built a glorious temple there for God. Daniel kept the windows of his home that faced toward Jerusalem open and prayed thrice in a day. Nehemiah repaired the walls of Jerusalem and rebuilt them.

But, during the days of Jesus Christ, Jerusalem had lost all its form and significance. The importance shown in following the ritualistic traditions resulted in the city facing a spiritual slide. The Pharisees and the Sadducees exhibited false reverence and lived an illusory life. Many prophets were stoned to death on the streets of Jerusalem. When Jesus Christ saw the city, He wept over it. He lamented saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace” (Luke 19:42).

What is the present condition of Jerusalem? It has become a big commercial centre and an international tourism spot. People from all over the world treat this as a Holy Land and visit in multitude. The place being busy, crosses made with the olive leaves and rosary are kept for sale. Water supposed to have been drawn from River Jordan and the well in Samaria are also kept for sale to the visitors. Photographs of the places of visit there and the images of the flowers of Israel are also on sale. Will you pray for Jerusalem every day?

The faith of the Jews is that Jerusalem will be sanctified and peace will prevail in it during the Coming of the Messiah. Even today, this remains as their prayer. Also, this remains to be the vision of the prophets. Jerusalem will be made new with new heavens and new earth. Dear children of God, will you eagerly wait for that Heavenly Jerusalem?

To meditate: “Peace be within your walls, Prosperity within your palaces” (Psalms 122:7).