November 30, 2019 - ZION, THE BEAUTIFUL CITY OF GOD

Day 334 - (Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 123; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31) 

2 It shall come to pass in the latter days
    that the mountain of the house of the Lord
shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
    and shall be lifted up above the hills;
and all the nations shall flow to it,
3     and many peoples shall come, and say:
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
    to the house of the God of Jacob,
that he may teach us his ways
    and that we may walk in his paths.”
For out of Zion shall go forth the law,
    and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. (Isaiah 2:2-3 ESV)

Jerusalem is a beautiful city filled with a rich past. Its holiest spots are sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims. The spots where the temple once stood, and where Jesus was crucified and rose are all so close together. My wife and I got to experience this holy city earlier this month, but only after rocket attacks changed our schedule a tad.

In today’s picture, you can see the dome marking the Muslim spot and the Western Wall, where the Jews pray. You can also see the entrance to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where Christians remember Christ’s death and resurrection. As Christians, this is the holiest aspect of Jerusalem!

“He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” (2 Corinthians 5:15 ESV)

The hymn writer captures the unique Christian importance of Jerusalem, also called Zion, with these words:

Come we that love the Lord, and let our joys be known,
Join in a song with sweet accord, Join in a song with sweet accord.
And thus surround the throne, and thus surround the throne.

We're marching to Zion, beautiful, beautiful Zion;
We're marching upward to Zion; the beautiful city of God.
(Come We That Love the Lord, Lutheran Service Book #669)

You can click on this link to hear and see the lyrics to the hymn:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmbqN0yiT4I

Heavenly Father, we thank You for all Your Son, Jesus, accomplished for us sinners that holy weekend in Jerusalem. As we remember Jerusalem as Your beautiful city, may we also remember that we are marching to Your eternal Zion in heaven. Please keep us faithful until then, and use to invite others to experience the beautiful city of God. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.

“See” you in church tomorrow!

Pastor David Paape 

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings from the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings  
Then scroll down to 2019 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!