Gal 4:26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
The Bible writers often presented their messages in poetic, allegorical form. Scenes and sounds from their current day were used to express a message to their given audience. Jerusalem has always embodied the typology of the Church or of a heavenly realm. Jesus wept over the city. David danced in her streets. Joel’s prophetic utterance was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost, spilling out onto those streets. Jerusalem hosted the Temple; witnessed the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. She has been witness to a million biblical scenes of the Messiah, the disciples, and the early church.
Paul will take Jerusalem a step further by pronouncing her as “the mother of us all.” She is the embodiment of a birthing mother which likens her to the Church of Jesus Christ. All of this leads us to place of new birth; the Church. Thus, the Church is the mother of us all.
While I recognize the gift of our natural mothers, honoring my own mother and mother-in-law, the Church holds a lofty, unique position. Spiritual birth has given us access into the Holy of Holies. Jesus spoke of it in a midnight meeting with Nicodemus: “You must be born again of the water and the Spirit.” The church is not only the place of spiritual birth, but it also is the teaching and training grounds for living a holy life. She boasts of healings and helps; restoration and instruction; guidance and discipleship. The depth of her is unmatched in all the earth. She is the Church that Jesus came to build. For Jerusalem is above, not only in the natural realm, but also rising above the carnal life of mankind. Not only is she above the fray, this church, Jerusalem, the mother of us all, is free! Come all you that labor and are burdened, the church is free!
Paul will take special care to add the Gentiles into this mix. They are the grafted-in vine. “They” are we! God allowed us access into the Church making us part of Jerusalem, the mother of us all. Without this inclusion, we would all be lost. In fact, it was the allowance of God to bring us into His body; into this church where love and healing is found. This house is none other than the house of the Lord; dedicated to the teachings of the scripture and the propagation of the Gospel.
Pastor Jeffrey Harpole
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