Battle for Jerusalem

FOR two thousand years, Jerusalem has been the focal point for some of the world's most historic moments. It saw the emergence of a carpentar who Christians call the Messiah.
It is the holy place for Muslims. It is the sacred ground for Jews. And it is also the battle ground throughout the ages, and continues to be so today.
Geologically, Jerusalem is nothing but a piece of land no different from any other plot of land anywhere around the globe. However, it held and still holds some of the most poignant and momentous memories for the three great religions - Judaism, Islam and Christianty.
Today, millions of lives hang in the balance over this ancient city. It is described as the place where Armaggedon will take place. Why is there so much attention focused on this city? The answer seems obvious to the communities I have just mentioned. But to the rest of the world, it seems to be the silliest reason to be enemies over.
Will there be a world war over this place? Who knows. The solution lies in sharing the city with all concerned. Easy to say but darn difficult to carry out.
Politicians have sat down down the eons to iron out their differences. They have only arrived at temporary solutions. Warriors fought bloody battles over this piece of dirt, as they say, and after their passing, the city lives on amid rubble and ruins.
Prayers, devotions, sacrifices abound in and over this city of Jerusalem. How ironic that the peace that people crave for in this place cannot be found there. How ridiculous is the fact that the so-called holiest place on earth also turns out to be a place where hostility and hatred breed.
Is man to place? Probably. Where is the answer? In man, of course because the acrimonious bickering began in the hearts of men, and in their hearts lies the answer.
Until and unless man decides to share or give up what they love so that other lives may be made happier, their own existence will not be harmonious. Until and unless, man realises that his neighbour is also his brother or his sister, his life will not be prosperous as it should be.
And so the world continues to spin on the spindle that is planted in the city of Jerusalem. What do you think God has to say about all this? I bet you he thinks that Jerusalem is the place where man will finally learn the lesson that he has taught them through his son but the lesson had been forgotten over the millennia.
Perhaps it is time to remind the children of man again. That love is when you intentionally surrender what is yours so that others can have more of it. In return, you will find out that you have never really given it away. It was received, cherished and returned to you with interest and in abundance.
Jerusalem is the city of God. It was born in hope and built on the foundation of love. The synagogues, mosques, churches that were built there on top of each other through the ages are merely creations of men.
God founded the city on love and with love and that can't be destroyed or forgotten.
The battle for Jerusalem is not what it is defined to be by man, it is a battle to regain what was originally in the mind of God and in the hearts of man. It is the love that knows no time, sees no distance and unites all mankind.
This is the real battle for Jerusalem. It is a fight to return to the kingdom of heaven. It is the place that all men sought throughout history and found nothing or lost his way in the quest for it.
Well, heaven comes through another route, and Jerusalem holds the key. Amen.