SANCTUARY CITIES

Ideas come from somewhere and the good ones come from the heart of God.

Where did we get the idea for "sanctuary cities"?  Are they a good idea?

God's heart has always been for protecting the innocent.  Because our law is based on Judeo-Christian beliefs, we wrote room into our immigration law ("asylum")  for people running from religious or political persecution.  The sanctuary cities make room for them while their status is being adjudicated.  That's good.

But sanctuary cities also have become places for outlaws to hide FROM the law, preventing their "day in court".  Let's go back to the beginning to see how we have perverted God's good idea that He called "Cities of Refuge".

As the LORD was sending His people into the Promised Land, He told them how to structure their government to include "Cities of Refuge".

God spoke specifically about these cities to Moses and then to Joshua (as seen in Deuteronomy 19, Numbers 35, and Joshua 20).

This is what God said to Joshua:
"Have the Israelites select the cities of refuge that I told you about through Moses.  Anyone who accidentally kills someone can escape there; these cities will be a place of asylum from the avenger of blood.  The ones who committed manslaughter should escape to one of these cities, stand at the entrance of the city gate, and present his case to the leaders of that city.  They should then bring him into the city, give him a place to stay, and let him live there.  When the avenger of blood comes after him, they must not hand over to him the one who committed manslaughter, for he accidentally killed his fellow man without premeditation.  He must remain in that city until his case is decided by the assembly and the high priest dies.  Then the one who committed manslaughter may return home to the city from which he escaped."

God was protecting life in two ways:  He provided for the accidental murderer ("manslaughter") a safe place until the case could be heard...and He also was protecting the blood avenger from sinning, that their blood would be required of them.

Look how practically the Lord laid out the plan.  He told them to choose six cities strategically placed throughout the Promised Land so that a person in flight could walk to one of the cities in a day's time.  Three Cities of Refuge were east of the Jordan River and three were to the west.

The cities were on good roads and were open always to all (Israelite, settler, or foreigner), but the accused was required to stay within the border of that City of Refuge until adjudication or at such time as the high priest died.  Then the person might return to his home.

Did you know that Jesus is our City of Refuge?

All have sin, so we are not falsely accused.  All are responsible for a capital crime, the death of God's Son.  All are headed to eternal death unless we find a place of safety.


*AT THE GATE.  When the fugitive arrived at the city gate, he was required to state the facts of his case before the city elders took him in/provided for him until his case could be heard.  Doesn't Jesus take us in and provide for us?  Jesus' arms are always open for those who would bow before Him and confess their sin.

*WHOMEVER.  The gates of the city were open day and night for ALL.  In the same way, any person can come to Jesus at any time.  God is not a respecter of persons, but   salvation is God's free gift through Christ.

*PARDON.  The fugitive was not turned over to his avenger, and Jesus does not turn us over to our enemy.  Sin pursues man doggedly, but the Lord Christ offers refuge for the guilty.  Even though He has heard our story (the facts of our case), He forgives...by incredibly taking our punishment for sin.  The only way to escape death for our sins is through His sacrifice.

*FOREVER.   Although the fugitive was to remain in the City of Refuge until the High Priest died, we do not leave our Refuge because our High Priest Jesus will never die.  His resurrection proves that God has the power over death.  Our protection begins when we ask for forgiveness and lasts until the day our Rescuer will take us to the eternal place He has prepared...and then forever.

Proclaiming the gospel continues to make the roads clear to the Rescuer.  Isn't that our job as believers?  That was Jesus' last order before He left the earth.  "Go then, and make disciples of all the nations."   God is so gracious.  Will you tell others that they have a place to flee?