Faith Expressions

Jerusalem was the city where Mary and Joseph presented Jesus to the Lord God as required by the Law of Moses. Moses was the great prophet who freed the ancient *Jews from slavery and led them into the land promised by God. Mary and Joseph were Jews who followed the traditions of their people and adhere to the values of their ancestors. Joseph was, in fact, a descendant of David, the king who established the first kingdom or monarchy for the Jews and made Jerusalem as its capital.

So Mary and Joseph presented Jesus to the temple priest in Jerusalem. The temple priest who presided over the event was a righteous man named Simeon who had been waiting to see God’s salvation. He took Jesus in his arms, thanked God and said: “Lord, now I can die in peace! As you promised me, I have seen the Savior you have given to all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!” (Luke 2:29-32 / NLT 1997)

Jerusalem was the city where the Holy Family went every year to attend the Passover festival. The festival was a commemoration of the event when God spared the lives of Jews while the firstborns of the ancient Egyptians were destroyed. Every year, Mary and Joseph, together with their son, Jesus, went to Jerusalem to observe this commemoration. It was during one of these yearly pilgrimages that the twelve-year-old Jesus got lost. He was found, later, in the temple, discussing certain things with religious teachers who were amazed with the intelligence of Jesus.

Jerusalem was the city where Jesus told Nicodemus the reason for the coming of the Messiah. Nicodemus was a Pharisee and one of the leaders of the Jews. One night, he visited Jesus secretly to clarify certain things. During the conversation, Jesus told Nicodemus: “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:14-17 / NIVUK)

Jerusalem was the city where Jesus attended religious festivals, performed many miracles, preached the good news of salvation and told the people who he was. It was the city where he made his triumphant entry as a savior during the final stage of his ministry. The event happened during the Passover festival. Riding on a donkey, Jesus entered the city and he was greeted by a large crowd who shouted, “Bless the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in highest heaven!” (Luke 19:38 / NLT 1997) It was the city where Jesus – for once – made an aggressive physical display of his anger. He drove out the people who were buying and selling inside the temple and overturned the tables of moneychangers. Said Jesus: “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a place of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!” (Matthew 21:13 / NLT 1997)

Jerusalem was the city where Jesus taught the people about the two greatest commandments of God. Said Jesus: “‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31 / NIVUK) It was the city where he ate his last supper with his apostles and washed their feet. Said Jesus after washing the apostles’ feet: “‘Do you understand what I have done for you?’ he asked them. ‘You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.’” (John 13:12-17 / NIVUK)

Jerusalem was the city where Jesus was betrayed by one of his apostles for 30 pieces of silver; yet, Jesus gave them a new commandment on love. It was the place where Jesus consciously and deliberately followed the will of God the Father that he should offer his life to save humanity from its sin. It was the place where Jesus was arrested and treated like a common criminal. It was the place where Jesus was mocked, spit on, and crowned with thorns. It was the place where Jesus was put on trial that was a farce and sentenced to die on the cross. It was the place where Jesus was crucified and buried.

Jerusalem was the place where Jesus rose from the dead three days after he was buried. It was the city where Jesus fulfilled God’s promise of redemption for humankind and changed the course of history forever. Nothing has changed since then. 

Note: Hebrews, Israelites and Jews are names used for the same group of people. Historically, the name “Hebrews” was used first. Then, the name “Israelites” became the term often used for the same group of people. Finally, the name “Jews” came into use.

Relevant Bible Verses: Luke 2:22-32, Luke 2:41-47, John 3:16-17, John 2:23, John 7:10-11, John 7:14-15, John 2:23, John 7:30-31, John 7:16-18, John 7:37-39, John 8:12, John 8:58, Luke 19:37-40, Matthew 21:12-13, Mark 12:28-31, John 13:3-9, Mark 14:22-25, Mark 14:43-49, John 13:34-35; Mark 15:1-5, John 18:28-40, John 19:1-18, John 19:38-42 and John 20:1-18

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Images: For God so Love the World

Jerusalem During the Time of Jesus

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