Nehemiah 3:1 Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set its doors in place, building as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and as far as the Tower of Hananel.
During last night’s Christmas Eve service, my pastor said something along the lines of: everything won’t suddenly be changed when Christmas morning dawns. Jesus’s birth was not a magic bullet that instantly fixed everything. It was a bright light of hope for what was and is to come, but there is still much work to do. That feels like a radical idea, but I think God’s plan was always that we partner with Him in this eternal work.
Nehemiah 3:3 The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah. They laid its beams and put its doors and bolts and bars in place.
On its surface, Nehemiah 3 isn’t an ideal Christmas passage, but the more I read and study and pray, the more I see God’s wisdom in this chapter for today. There is still much work to do, and the dumpster fire of 2020 has only added to that work. But if we all do our part, fix our gate, help our neighbor, love God and love others, reflect the hope of Jesus for all to see, then we will continue to pave the way for the life-changing work of our Savior.
Nehemiah 3:14 The Dung Gate was repaired by Malkijah son of Rekab, ruler of the district of Beth Hakkerem. He rebuilt it and put its doors with their bolts and bars in place.
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the Baby in a manger, who brought hope into the world. Thank You for the opportunity to partner with You in this kingdom work. There is so much work to do, Lord. Help us to do it joyfully. Draw us closer. Amen.
Nehemiah 3:15 The Fountain Gate was repaired by Shallun son of Kol-Hozeh, ruler of the district of Mizpah. He rebuilt it, roofing it over and putting its doors and bolts and bars in place. He also repaired the wall of the Pool of Siloam, by the King’s Garden, as far as the steps going down from the City of David.
Have a blessed day.