Nehemiah’s love for God’s people and God’s city heralds Jesus, whose great love for people leads Him to go outside the holy city and be crucified on a cross.
Nehemiah’s love for God’s people and God’s city heralds Jesus, whose great love for people leads Him to go outside the holy city and be crucified on a cross.
Advent Day 19, The City.
When Nehemiah learns Jerusalem's walls continue to crumble into disrepair and its gates still stand scorched by fire.
He mourns.
How can the people of God exiled for their sin against God, return to their homeland and worship God in their beloved yet beleaguered city?
Nehemiah senses something will need to be done to make peace a reality for the city and the land and it will require risking his status, reputation and life.
He sets his mind to the task.
In Nehemiah's time, most of God's people live in exile, scattered to the four corners of the earth.
Nehemiah is one of those exiles and he lives in Persia.
For a Jewish exile, he lives well.
He holds a royal position in the king's court.
The king knows him well enough to discern when Nehemiah is sad.
Nehemiah 2:1-3 says, "Now I had not been sad in the king's presence and the king said to me, 'Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick?
This is nothing but sadness of the heart.'
Then I was very much afraid.
I said to the king, 'Let the king live forever.'
Why should not my face be sad when the city, the place of my father's graves, lies in ruins and its gates have been destroyed by fire?
Nehemiah, like Daniel, resists viewing any land but the Promised Land as his homeland.
Any city but God's city, Jerusalem, has his true city and any king but God's chosen king has his rightful ruler.
Nehemiah can appreciate Persia and the beauty of its capital city, Susa, but both are way stations, not the destination.
Have you ever thought of your country, city or home as a way station?
Why or how might it be important to view your country, city or home through that lens?
The king listens to Nehemiah.
Then he asks, just like some of the problem solvers in our lives, what can he do?
Nehemiah 2 verse 4 says, 'The king said to me, 'What are you requesting?'
So I prayed to the God of heaven.'
Nehemiah doesn't shy away from answering the king.
He gives an answer, a detailed one, but he pauses to pray.
Why do you think that is?
The next time someone asks what they can do to help you, how could you follow Nehemiah's example of praying before speaking?
The king doesn't give Nehemiah a blank check or dismiss him from the court.
Nehemiah only receives permission to go to Jerusalem after providing an itinerary for his travels, which means Nehemiah will never dwell in Jerusalem permanently.
Yet the city and its inhabitants remain his highest joy.
He longs for the returning exiles and their children's children to have a home where they rest securely and worship God freely.
So he leaves the comfort and security of the king's court.
Nehemiah's compassion for God's people compels generational actions.
He lives for those who will live after him.
How is his mindset captivating or challenging to us?
Nehemiah risks everything for the peace of Jerusalem.
Why?
He remembers the law and the prophets.
The law says to worship God alone and to love God's people.
The prophets predict disaster, the consequence for Israel's refusal to worship God and love people, and renewal.
When have you risked everything for the sake of someone or something else?
Nehemiah's remembrance of the law and prophets form the foundation of his prayers to God.
In them, he confesses sin, his as well as his ancestors, and remembers God, who is compassionate and faithful.
They also form the foundation of his life.
He literally builds because of them.
How are God's words your firm foundation?
Why might it be important to remember and build upon these words, not only in your life broadly, but most especially this advent?
Jerusalem, as beloved and precious as it is, is not the ultimate city.
That city is still coming.
It is the one heralded by Jesus' arrival.
He too sees people's ruin from sin and suffering.
He too is moved with compassion to act on their behalf.
Jesus doesn't merely read the law and prophets and agree with what they say.
He fulfills the law.
He fulfills the prophets promises.
He does what no one else can.
He obeys God fully, wholeheartedly.
Jesus also doesn't rebuild the beloved city, Jerusalem.
He goes outside it to be crucified on a cross.
By his act, he breaks down walls.
All people, not just Jews, can know and be known by God.
Jesus does promise a better city, though.
If we look carefully, we catch glimpses of it on the horizon.
How?
By looking to Jesus.
His words and actions tell us how to live as we await the place Jesus is preparing for us.
John 14:1-3 says, "Let not your hearts be troubled.
Believe in God.
Believe also in me.
In my Father's house on many rooms.
If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself that where I am, you may be also."
God is building a city for us, a place where there is room for all of us.
What comfort or hope does that reality bring you this advent?
Jesus' compassion moves him to act.
So does Nehemiah's.
Nehemiah's actions, though, have only a temporary and limited impact on God's people.
Jesus' actions change the world forever.
Which of Jesus' actions, being born as a baby, drawing near to sinful humans, living the law, dying on the cross, building a better city, draw your attention this advent?
Jesus' compassion Let's pray together.
Heavenly Father, thank you for Nehemiah's and Jesus' compassion.
They saw people were hurting and they went to work.
Nehemiah assessed and built walls for the beloved city.
Jesus left his throne to spend his days in the dirt, growing us hearts of compassion.
May we see the hurting and may we get to work.
Amen.