Jerusalem Above, Our Mother
By H. A. St. John
“BUT Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.” Gal. 4:26. We are told that when Jesus brought to life the widow’s son, at the village of Nain, he delivered him to his mother. What loving affection as well as power was seen in this circumstance! By the same Jesus, sinners, in the village, in the bondage of spiritual death, when made alive unto God are delivered to their mother, made the children of the holy city. And as that mother city is above, we see why it is necessary in order to become her children to be born again, born from above. Let us now briefly consider some of the points of likeness between the children of God and their mother, the New Jerusalem:—
First, the mother is free; so are the children. All that Jesus makes free are free indeed. There is no other perfect, genuine freedom in this world. All else that is called freedom is only formal freedom. The world can not give this true freedom, neither can the world take it away from those to whom it is given from above. This internal soul freedom, then, has promise of extension to external and eternal freedom hereafter. Second, new. I suppose that the city above will always be known as the New Jerusalem. So her children will always be those who were made new creatures in Christ Jesus. Third, abode of peace. Jerusalem signifies abode of peace. Likewise her children are sons and daughters of peace. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you.” In the world you may have tribulation, but in him, peace. He will keep them in perfect peace whose minds are stayed on him. Their peace will be like a river. “Great peace have they that love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” They are peacemakers. Fourth, hath foundations. What beautiful foundations hath the holy city! The children are built upon the foundation of apostles and prophets. Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone—a beautiful and sure foundation. Fifth, God the builder. Yes, and God is the divine maker and builder of each of his children, fashioning them after the divine image. Sixth, white throne. The great white throne of God and the Lamb is in the holy city. So the hearts of her children are made clean and white, and are the thrones where Jesus rules, bringing the whole man into sweet submission to his will. Seventh, needs not the sun. So the children of God have a light from the Sun of Righteousness, ever lighting up their hearts and pathway, making them lighthouses in the world, even in the darkest places. Eighth, tree of life. Likewise every saint is like a tree by the river, bringing forth a variety of fruits, the fruits of the Spirit. Ninth, river of life. Yes, the mother city has a river of life. But does not Jesus say that out of the Christian will flow rivers of living water? Tenth, many gates. So the Christian has many channels open to learn of God, from his works, his providence, his Word, and his Spirit. Eleventh, no evil could enter. True, those holy gates forever bar pollution, sin, and shame. In like manner the avenue to the Christian mind and heart should forever bar pollution, sin, and shame. If no evil goes in, no evil can come out. Twelfth, bride, the Lamb’s wife. A glorious bride is the Holy Jerusalem, indeed. But her children are the bride also. Have you not read that the holy city when prepared as a bride adorned for her husband has for her adorning the righteousness of the saints? Reader, are you growing like your mother?