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Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem

Welcoming the King

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’ Matt 23:37-39

Five days before Passover, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey (Jn 12:12-15), fulfilling a Messianic prophecy (Zech 9:9), and the crowds greeted Him as King with the Messianic welcome from Ps 118:25-26 – Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. They believed that He would deliver them from the Romans and declare His Kingdom now.

Within a few days, Jesus was lamenting and weeping over Jerusalem and warning of desolation until she welcomed Him again. Before the week came to an end, the people had been stirred up by the jealous Jewish leaders, and watched Him suffer a humiliating death on a Roman cross. A kingdom cannot be ruled by a dead leader! However, a few days later stories were circulating of Him being seen alive, yet even those disciples who witnessed Jesus resurrected were still waiting for a political kingdom to be established (Acts 1:6).

The Kingdom that Jesus proclaimed was not a military coup; it was a voluntary reign that begins in the throne room of our hearts. Every child of God has the privilege of entering now, and having the assurance of eternal life (Jn 3:16) beginning on earth and continuing with Him in Heaven. His Kingdom extends heart by heart as each one welcomes the King to take up His reign in his/her life. And so it is gradually but surely expanding in Israel, although there is still a long way to go. The Gentiles’ task is to make the Jews jealous by our love for their king (Rom 11:11), something we have failed to do throughout history. However, this is slowly changing as the nations come to Jerusalem to worship the God of Israel and love, serve and support His chosen people.

Jesus promised us that He would return again and the Scriptures clearly speak of a time when a Davidic ruler will bring a righteous reign on earth (Is 11:1-10, Jer 33:14-18, Dan 7:14,26-27, Micah 4:1-4, Rev 19:11-16 etc). These are the prophecies that still have to be fulfilled. Every year at the Feast of Tabernacles the Messianic greeting is said and even displayed in the synagogues. Jesus will return to Jerusalem (Zech 14:4) but only when she is ready to welcome Him.

● Pray for the nation to be prepared and to cry out this Sukkot for the coming of the King (Lk 13:35, 19:37-40)

● May His Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven (Matt 6:10)

● For the believers to be ready, watching and waiting for His return at any time (Matt 24:42)