Why do Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem respond with mockery and cruelty when they learn that Nehemiah has returned to restore the walls of Jerusalem? Why the hatred? Well, prideful men never like a rival who seems to have more favor with the one who has power over them. Likewise, those who are humiliated by a greater power often revel in humiliating their neighbors. These three foreign men are under the rule of Persia. Their nations have, like Israel and Judah, been torn apart, so it makes them feel more powerful to laugh at the greater piles of humiliation they see in Jerusalem. Likewise, these men have precious little in life but the fleeting favor the king who now seems more disposed to Nehemiah. So they hate him and his people. It’s the same thing that causes school bullies who are mistreated by their fathers to pick on smart kids who seem to be the teacher’s favorite. And it’s the same thing that caused the Pharisees, living under Roman rule, to mock Christ. All they have is their supposed obedience to the Law, then Jesus comes with the miracles of God pouring out of His hands and mouth, showing that He is actually the one clothed in God’s favor. So they want to put Him to death to get back what they think He’s stolen from them.
Like Nehemiah, Jesus came to Jerusalem to restore the city, to restore His people, to give healing to the world. Jesus came to rebuild the broken souls of sinners. And He did precisely that by letting the temple of His own body be torn down. But unlike Nehemiah, when His enemies conspired against Him, Jesus didn’t pray for God to see their sin and punish them. He prayed for His Father to make their sins His own and to forgive them. So Jesus went to the cross where the temple of His flesh was destroyed, drained of its blood and killed. But on the third day, Jesus rose from the grave. On the third day, He restored the temple and promised an eternal home within the New Jerusalem to all who believe in Him.
When you were downtrodden and humiliated, when you were torn apart by sin, Jesus came to your aid. And despite your hatred, despite your mockery, He chose to love you. He chose to let you tear up His flesh to make you His own forever. And now He has. The walls of the New Jerusalem are standing. The temple shines from the center of the city of God. Come on it and live with your Lord forever.
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