My Bible Plans blog
The primacy of Jerusalem for Christians
Jerusalem seems to be a Big Deal in the Bible.
Today I read Psalm 137 in my Bible reading plan. It's the one that has two classic verses: how shall we sing the songs of Zion while in a foreign land? and Blessed be whoever dashes the Babylonians infants against the rocks.
But perhaps the most mysterious verse:
Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth,
if I do not remember you,
if I do not set Jerusalem
above my highest joy!
"Above my highest joy" is really strong language. It's the language reserved for God alone in our affections.
So what's the deal with Jerusalem?
Let me speculate: Jerusalem (and Zion) is the epicenter and capital of God's plan for us, his people. Sometimes my heart wonders off to imagine life with God, his people, and his creatures in a great city--big, bright, secure, marvelous.
For a while Jerusalem was the city of cities. The temple was there with God's presence, and from their God's king reigned in the most powerful and prosperous nation on earth. People traveled to Jerusalem just hear the wisdom of Israel's king who could explain all the great questions of life.
When the new heavens and the new earth arrive God's plan is for an amazing city that's he's calling New Jerusalem. It's going to be awesome!
And I don't think he's got any problem with us, in a sense, feeling like exiles from our home city and longing to be there. To love Jerusalem is long to be with God and his people in a great kingdom where everything works right.