“Next Year in Jerusalem” (Will YOU be there?)
Traditionally the Passover Seder closes each year with these words on the lips of those in attendance: “Next year in Jerusalem!”[1]
For generations the Jewish people were in the diaspora – outside the Land of Israel and separated from their ancient capital. Since the formation of the Modern State in 1948, there are different interpretations of what that means in the current day. But one thing is clear: Jerusalem truly represents the vibrant and collective heartbeat of the worldwide Jewish community.
In Israel, Jerusalem Day is an annual commemoration of the capture of East Jerusalem in the 1967 war with Jordan.[2] Each year Israel’s Prime Minister gives a speech extolling the centrality of the Holy City in the Jewish psyche. On May 12, 2010 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu famously invoked the Hebrew Scriptures, noting that both Jerusalem and her alternative Hebrew name, Zion, appear 850 times in the Hebrew Bible.
The Prime Minister further stated that Jerusalem is mentioned 142 times in the New Testament. And none of the 16 Arabic names for Jerusalem are found in the Quran, except for in one passage where it is mentioned in an expanded edition written in the 12th century.
Mr. Netanyahu’s point was that Jerusalem is the “eternal and indivisible” capital of Israel, and the Jewish people. Much ink, blood, and tears have been spilled over Jerusalem as the city has been invaded by many nations over the millennia. But since the days of King David, it is impossible to dismiss the importance of Jerusalem to Israel and the worldwide Jewish community.
So what about “Next year in Jerusalem”? One take on the matter is captured in this statement from an article in My Jewish Learning: “The most straightforward answer is that ‘Jerusalem’ refers to the future city – and its Temple – rebuilt when the Messiah comes.”[3]
Consider the following words spoken by a Jewish man who lived over 2,000 years ago, Yeshua (Jesus of Nazareth). In the Holy City to celebrate His final earthly Passover before His own sacrificial death, He revealed His heart in lamenting, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling.”[4]
Jesus’ disciples were among those who recognized Him as the promised Messiah. But on the whole Jerusalem’s spiritual leaders and the Jewish nation rejected Jesus as their Messiah. This rejection of the Suffering Servant of the LORD was foretold in the Scriptures.[5]
But so is this wonderful promise: the One who died as an atoning sacrifice outside the city gates of Jerusalem will return and be recognized by His kinsmen.[6] The cry of “Next year in Jerusalem” will be one for the New Jerusalem of which the Scriptures speak.[7] Paul the Apostle also called this Jerusalem “the Jerusalem from above.”[8]
Many emotions have filled the hearts of multiplied thousands who have walked the cobbled corridor streets of the Old City in Jerusalem. Visitors are surrounded by the city’s ancient history, sights, and sounds.
There is awaiting, however, a promise of something much greater in the New Jerusalem. And in the present, you can experience that peace that is available now. Simon Peter, a Jewish fisherman and follower of Messiah Jesus, wrote these words regarding those who believe in Him:
And though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.[9]
So how about you? When you call out “Next year in Jerusalem” at the end of your Passover Seder this year,[10] can you do so with the joy and confidence of knowing that your eternal destiny is indeed Jerusalem – the eternal one in which Messiah will rule in righteousness and peace?
Written by Jeff, LIFE Staff Member
The core theme of Passover is redemption. To see the connection of Yeshua to Pesach, see the video and articles at https://www.insearchofshalom.com/blog/different-passover.
We would love to speak to you further about this if you have questions.
Endnotes:
[1] ‘Le-shanah ha-ba-a b’Yerushalayim‘in Hebrew.
[2] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-palestinians-israel-jerusalem/netanyahu-turns-to-bible-in-tussle-over-jerusalem-idUSTRE64B2EY20100512.
[3] https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/next-year-in-jerusalem/.
[4] Matthew 23:37.
[5] Psalm 2:1-12; Isaiah 52:13-53:12.
[6] Zechariah 12 describes a yet-future time when Jerusalem will be surrounded by enemies seeking to destroy her inhabitants. In verse 10 foretells what will happen when the pierced Messiah returns to rescue His people. “I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn.” See Zechariah 14 for a description of the culmination of Messiah’s victory and the centrality of Jerusalem when the longed-for Messianic Kingdom is a reality.
[7] Hebrews 12:22-24; Revelation 3:12; 21:9-27.
[8] Galatians 4:26.
[9] 1 Peter 1:8-9 [NASB].
[10] 14 Nisan 5781 on the Jewish calendar is 27 March 2021; Passover begins at sundown on Friday, March 26 this year.