TISHA B’AV 2015: A TIME to REMEMBER—A CALL to AWAKEN! Part 1

Interesting Facts about Jerusalem: Jerusalem has 1,578 public gardens and parks. There are over 30,000 volunteer workers in Jerusalem. Throughout Jewish history, Jews have wanted to be buried on Mount of Olives. There is estimated to be about 150,000 graves dating back to the 15th century till now. Jerusalem is the focal point of the three Jewish holidays of Sukkot, Pesach, and Shavuot. The First Temple was overseen by 3,300 men and built by 150,000 Jewish workers.

The famous philosopher, George Santayana once said: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” In other words, when we do not remember history we will repeat its terrors. As the Church, we have been called to be a moral compass of righteousness. We are not called to be judgmental boasters, but rather, vessels whose very lives remind our communities, states, nations and medias that our God is worthy of all honor, praise, and devotion. It is easy to see that our country, America, is drifting farther and farther from righteousness and looking more like a country that does not fear God or honor His ways. In some ways it is a sad dark season and yet we have hope and the Church has been given an opportunity to shine in the darkness. Jerusalem—The City at the Center of the World God alone is the creator of all. He builds temples, and destroys temples. He raises up nations, and topples nations to the ground. Our God is at the very center of our world, and thus He should be honored with listening ears and loving, obedient hearts.

“As the navel is set in the centre of the human body, so is the land of Israel the navel of the world… 

situated in the centre of the world,  and Jerusalem in the centre of the land of Israel, and the sanctuary in the centre of Jerusalem, and the holy place in the centre of the sanctuary, and the ark in the centre of the holy place, 

and the foundation stone before the holy place,  because from it the world was founded.” —Midrash Tanchuma, Qedoshim

Today, as in times past, the nations are at a crossroad with the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the God of Jerusalem, the city He chose for His Name to abide. And we, both as individuals, as well as citizens of the nations, will be judged by how we interact with Jerusalem—the city at the center of the world. We see evidence of this crossroad in the daily news and posted all over social media. Israel and Jerusalem are at the forefront of discussion and disagreement. With Tisha B’Av—the day of commemoration of the destruction of the First and Second Temples—fast approaching on July 26^th of this year (beginning on the evening of the 25^th), we have the unique opportunity to not only remember Jewish history, but also to examine our hearts and minds so that we do not, in fact, repeat the tragic events of the past. So, we must ask ourselves these important questions: Are we making wise choices that honor our own personal temples as His abiding place? If not, what changes can we make in this area? Are we honoring the Body of Messiah—the Body of Christ—by walking in love rather than offense? Or are we so busy focusing on our difference we are simply multiplying the division? Are we honoring Jerusalem by praying for her peace as instructed in Psalm 122:6? And, most importantly… Are we honoring God, His Spirit, His Son—His Word who became flesh and dwelt among us? King David expressed it best this way as he so humbly penned these words: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”—Psalm 139:23-24 “If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill! If I do not remember you, let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth—if I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy.”—Psalm 137:5-6 “The LORD bless you out of Zion, and may you see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life.”—Psalm 128:5 I will write more about Tisha B’Av next time…