It is Time to Celebrate!

Everybody loves a celebration. A birthday party, the Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve are favorites of many people. And let’s not forget the celebrations that occur when your favorite sports team wins a championship.

Today’s reading is Ezra 6:13-18. The Israelites rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem and a new Temple to the Lord. The exiled Israelites will soon return from Assyria. It was time to celebrate!

 

But, what is the significance of what they were celebrating?

 While in exile, the Jews were strangers in a foreign land. They were away from the Holy Land, away from God, so to speak.  They did not have an identity.

 Those Jews who were not exiled lived without the safety of a walled city. They were very vulnerable to their neighbors and other invaders. And since the Temple had been destroyed, they could not turn to God who previously dwelled among them.

When the exiles return, the Jews will be re-united. They once again will have an identity. They will be a nation. They will be united with their Lord who will once again dwell among them. And the rebuilt walls will provide them safety.

 Today Christians do not have a walled city, or a single spot for the Lord to dwell. We are not even united, we are scattered all over the world.

 Yet we should celebrate!

 Jesus is our wall; his death on the cross keeps sin from harming us.

 Jesus does not need a Temple; he dwells in heaven and here on earth. He lives among us. The earth is his footstool!

 And Jesus is the great unifier. All Christians everywhere are part of his heavenly kingdom whose job is to spread the Good News of Jesus. As citizens of heaven, Jesus gives us an identity!

 Jesus gives us everything we need.  That is something to celebrate!