Home LUTHERAN DAILY DEVOTIONAL Lutheran Daily Devotional 18 May 2022 | Walls and Gates

Lutheran Daily Devotional 18 May 2022 | Walls and Gates

by Chibuzor Nwaobasi

Lutheran Daily Devotional 18 May 2022
Lutheran Daily Devotional 18 May 2022 || Wednesday Message By Lutheran Hour Ministries.

Read Lutheran Daily Devotional 18 May 2022

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Topic: Walls and Gates

Scripture: Revelation 21:9a, 10b, 11-14

Lutheran Daily Devotional 18 May 2022 MESSAGE

John is describing the new, holy city of Jerusalem—which stands for God’s people, God’s kingdom, all of us who will live forever united to Jesus, our Savior. The description is very interesting. In particular, that of the walls and the gates of the city.

In ancient times, important cities in the Middle East normally had a wall around them. The wall was very thick and very tall. It was supposed to protect the people against raiders and foreign armies. At night and during times of war, the gates would be shut. There were guards on the gates, who would raise the alarm if they saw trouble coming.

But why is there a wall around this city? Why are there gates, and gatekeepers, too? Surely none of that is necessary in God’s new heaven and earth, where everything evil has been destroyed!

If you look back at the garden of Eden, it never says anywhere that that garden has walls or gates. There is no guard, either, until after human beings rebel and have to leave. At that point, security is necessary. Sin has come into the world, and the time of innocence is over.

The holy city of Jerusalem is like Eden because there is no evil in it. It is a place where God lives with people, and there is peace, love, and joy. But it is different from Eden because it comes after humanity’s experience with evil, not before it. The people who live in this city have already experienced evil and everything that goes along with it: shame, guilt, trouble, sadness, and death. Their innocence and holiness come as a gift from Jesus Christ, who lay down His life to rescue them from the power of evil and to re-create them as pure, holy citizens of His kingdom.

So it makes sense that they live in the city which has thick, thick walls—walls that no enemy could ever get through. Those walls are a reminder of God’s protection—the protection He provided to the human race through the suffering, death, and resurrection of His own Son. Who could ever wish that memory away?

And yet, there are gates—twelve of them, gates everywhere, so that people can flow freely in and out of the city any time they like. The gates are never shut. The angels who stand near them appear to be honor guards; they aren’t expecting an attack. By His own power, God has destroyed evil and saved His people forevermore. That’s reason to celebrate!

WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, thank You for keeping us safe in Your holy city. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Lutheran Daily Devotional 18 May 2022 was written by Dr. Kari Vo.

Reflection Questions:

  1. Would you like to live in a city with walls and gates? Why or why not?

  2. What other similarities do you see between Eden and God’s city?

  3. What differences do you see?

Today’s Bible Readings: Psalms 64 Psalms 70 John 6:1-21

Lutheran Daily Devotional 18 May 2022. Lutheran Hour Ministries is a trusted resource in global media that equips and engages a vibrant volunteer base to passionately proclaim the Gospel to more than 150 million people worldwide each week. Lutheran Daily Devotional 18 May 2022

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