You’ve probably heard me say that when I am in Israel, I never want to leave. It’s hard to explain that feeling, but I know others who love Jesus and come to Israel feel that way too. I love Israel because Jesus loves Israel, and I love Jesus! When Jesus is in you, you can’t help but feel as He feels!

I always feel at home in Israel. When you come over the top of the mountains and see the city of Jerusalem before you, it’s magnificent and unforgettable, more so than any other city of the world. But, as Jesus looked out over the city, he wept because of what would happen to Jerusalem and its people in the future. Luke 19:41

In 1967 Israel repatriated Jerusalem and made it whole again. Though it is still fought over constantly, and we hear about it every day in the news, it doesn’t change the fact of how Jesus feels about it – Jerusalem is an eternal, everlasting city and the New Jerusalem will be our heavenly home.

The history of man has transpired on the streets of Israel and those streets still echo the truths of days gone by – truths that Jesus spoke as He walked those cobblestone streets. The very streets, the very stones, the very places like David’s brook where David picked up the round smooth stones to slay the giant, they all hold the essences of spiritual truth and the keys to mankind’s eternal future.

Spiritual truths were forever established in this land of Israel and today, it’s still truly the center of the earth. Think about it – all eyes are on this tiny little nation, and every nation of the world watches it to weigh their next move.  It’s one of the smallest nations of the world, yet the strongest. Israel is the apple of God’s eye (Zechariah 2:8) and He blesses those who bless it (Genesis 12:3).

Jesus loved Jerusalem so much that it’s called the ‘eternal’ city. Even in the new millennium, Jesus calls our final place of reward “The New Jerusalem.” It’s the place where Jesus went to “prepare a place” for us. The river of living water flows from the Throne of God down through that city. Isn’t that a wonderful picture? Revelation 21 takes us there as John saw the Holy City descended from God prepared as a Bride beautifully dressed for her husband. It is God’s dwelling place that becomes our dwelling place and we will be together for eternity… in the New Jerusalem!

It doesn’t get any better than that.

When people first fall in love with Jesus, they love the Lord so much, they can’t consume the Bible enough, they can’t get enough of listening to Christian music and worship, and they can’t get enough preaching and teaching. They love to talk about Jesus and they dream about the things of God and Jesus is so close. They’re having an intimacy with Him to where He’s loving on them and they’re loving on Him and you feel so close to God. And as you’re there, reading your Bible, the Word just jumps off the pages right into your spirit and you can’t get enough of it. And you’re talking to the Lord, and tears are running down your face, your nose is running and you’re thinking, ‘Oh God, this is heaven on earth, I love you so much!’

Let’s not forget how it felt when we fell in love with Jesus – and let’s fall in love with Him again. Let’s love the things that He loves, and pray for the peace of Jerusalem!