28 September 2013 - urban renewal

28 September 2013 - urban renewal

I asked, “Where are you going?”
He answered, “To measure Jerusalem,
to see how great is its width and how great its length.”

Is there enough room within the walls of the holy city for all peoples?  Is the embrace of God wide enough to keep us all in his care?  Not if we look to physical walls for protection.  From that perspective it looks no different than a field or open country.  We seem exposed on every side.

But the LORD measures the city a different way when he spreads out his arms upon the cross.  There is no limit to the embrace of his love.

But I will be for her an encircling wall of fire, says the LORD,
and I will be the glory in her midst.”

So though Jesus is headed toward Jerusalem we need not fear.

“Pay attention to what I am telling you.
The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.” 

Our one and only hope is headed toward certain destruction and yet we need not fear.  He goes to reveal the full measure of God's love for us.  Only in this way can he show us the greatness of the length and width of his love.  Because he stretches out his arms on the cross to reveal it we can know "what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge," and " thereby "be filled with all the fullness of God" (cf. Eph 3:18-19) so that he may be "the glory in her midst."

He is the good shepherd who guards us from every threat.  He brings back the lost and the wounded.

he shall redeem him from the hand of his conqueror.

Though sorrow comes it only comes to give way to still greater joy.

Then the virgins shall make merry and dance,
and young men and old as well.
I will turn their mourning into joy,
I will console and gladden them after their sorrows.

Dance then, for the joy of the LORD is our strength!