The tradition among Jews began in the Middle Ages. At the end of the Passover Seder, this phrase is recited.....next year in Jerusalem! It made very literal sense to the Jews of the Diaspora for they were dispersed around the world. It was a prayer of hope that they would someday return to Jerusalem, their home. Today it is often an awkward saying, for anyone could make plane reservations and travel to Jerusalem and many already have. So how is this phrase to be dealt with today? Some are forced to expand the meaning of Jerusalem to... Jerusalem with a rebuilt temple. Others spiritualize the phrase as meaning a time of inward peace with God. Still others ignore the meaning of the phrase altogether.
Christians have somewhat of a similar phrase, originating in the Bible, penned by the Apostle Paul at the end of the first letter to the Corinthians. Paul wrote in verse 22 of the 16th chapter, the Aramaic phrase marana tha, or Our Lord, come. It came immediately after a searing condemnation, possibly of false Christians.... "If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed." The meaning of "Our Lord, come!" seems very clear, it's a plea for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. It seems to me to be an appropriate prayer as the hours and minutes tick away on December 31st. And if Jesus does not return in the next year then the prayer would be for the following year, and the following years after that if necessary until He does return.
There is a verse in the letter to the Hebrews that sobers and convicts me every time that I read it. It concerns Christians suffering persecution throughout the world......"remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body." (Heb 13:3) It is my habit to read the news headlines throughout the day, therefore I'm greatly saddened throughout the day! The advice often given to me would be accurate..."quit paying so much attention to the news, you'll feel better." I won't take that advice. Instead I will endeavor to remember "those who are in prison" and to pray with more consistency in the year to come....marana tha....Our Lord, come!
Christians have somewhat of a similar phrase, originating in the Bible, penned by the Apostle Paul at the end of the first letter to the Corinthians. Paul wrote in verse 22 of the 16th chapter, the Aramaic phrase marana tha, or Our Lord, come. It came immediately after a searing condemnation, possibly of false Christians.... "If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed." The meaning of "Our Lord, come!" seems very clear, it's a plea for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. It seems to me to be an appropriate prayer as the hours and minutes tick away on December 31st. And if Jesus does not return in the next year then the prayer would be for the following year, and the following years after that if necessary until He does return.
There is a verse in the letter to the Hebrews that sobers and convicts me every time that I read it. It concerns Christians suffering persecution throughout the world......"remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body." (Heb 13:3) It is my habit to read the news headlines throughout the day, therefore I'm greatly saddened throughout the day! The advice often given to me would be accurate..."quit paying so much attention to the news, you'll feel better." I won't take that advice. Instead I will endeavor to remember "those who are in prison" and to pray with more consistency in the year to come....marana tha....Our Lord, come!
