In the Jewish religion at that time, Jerusalem was very important. This is

wherethe temple was, where people came to meet with God, and this was where

people would come from all across the region for all the various festivals

and feasts. It was central!

In Luke’s account of Jesus, Jerusalem is very important. After Jesus was

born, one of the first things that Mary and Joseph did was to bring him to

Jerusalem to dedicate him to the Lord. When Jesus was young, Luke records

that they went to the temple every year for the Passover Festival and one

year leaving Jesus behind. Jesus then said that he had to be in his

Father’s house. Then after beginning his ministry around Nazareth, in

chapter 9 we see that Jesus was determined to go to Jerusalem. From then on

throughout the book, Jesus sets his face to the city. And now, it’s time

for Jesus to enter. The King of the Kingdom is entering the city. All of

the prophecies are soon to be fulfilled in him.

Jerusalem was the centre of worship but now Jesus is the centre of worship.

Jerusalem was the place to meet God, but now we meet God in and through

Jesus. Jerusalem is where people came to be cleansed from their sins time

after time, but now Jesus is where we find cleansing and expiation of sins

once and for all. Jerusalem is where people thought the Messiah would come

and overthrow the Roman oppression, but now Jesus has overthrown sin and

death. Jerusalem may have been significant, but Jesus is greater. MC

Questions

What was the importance of Jerusalem in the Jewish religion?

How is Jerusalem important in Luke’s Gospel?

How does Jesus fulfil the role of Jerusalem and the temple for us?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you that you have made a way for us to be in

relationship with you not through a place, nor through rituals, but through

your Son, Jesus. Keep us from being ritualistic but help us to continue to

press into our relationship with you constantly. We ask this in Jesus’

name, Amen.