Fri.'s Devo - Jerusalem

3-26-10
How can you write about Jerusalem in a few paragraphs? It is mentioned 767 times in the Bible.
The wise men went to Jerusalem to find the new king whose star they had followed. They had to be astrologers because if this star was so obvious how come they were the only one who saw it. They believed that the appearance of a new star meant the birth of a new king so they followed it to Jerusalem where it was prophesied "the city of the great King." It was once known as Salem which is the same Salem that Melchizadek was king of. It has also been called Zion or the city of David.
By the law the men of Israel were to go to Jerusalem 3 times a year for the feast of unleavened bread, Pentecost, and feast of tabernacles. Jesus did this and attended every feast. His parents took him there as a child of 12.
It is the holy city for Jews, Christians, and Islams and all 3 want control of the Temple Mount. The Temple Mount is believed to be the Mount Moriah which is where Abraham took Isaac to be sacrificed. God provided a sacrifice and Isaac was spared. Later in history David bought this piece of land from Ornan for Solomon to build a house for God. Right now the Muslims have control of it and have built a mosque on it called the Dome of the Rock.
Jerusalem is where Jesus cast out the merchants that had set up tables outside the temple. He preached many a sermon from the steps of the temple. And finally he was betrayed and crucified in Jerusalem. But it is not over. He will come back and set up a new Jerusalem which will be splendid and holy.
Lord, may we say like David, "Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem." And may we pray for the peace of Jerusalem.