The Elusive Peace Of Jerusalem

Psalm 122:6-9

6Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

May all who love this city prosper.

7O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls

and prosperity in your palaces.

8For the sake of my family and friends, I will say,

“Peace be with you.”

9For the sake of the house of the LORD our God,

I will seek what is best for you, O Jerusalem.

No doubt when pilgrims came within sight of Jerusalem’s glorious skyline, they were exuberant in their joyful praise.

But when Jesus Christ approached the city in that final week before his crucifixion, he wept over it. “I wish that even today you would find the way of peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from you” (Luke 19:42). Jesus foresaw the destruction of the city by the Romans, which would take place a generation later.

Probably no city in history has heard the word peace, or shalom, sounded more often within its walls, yet perhaps no city has been so devastated over and over again by invading armies. The Babylonians, the Greeks, the Romans, the Persians, the Muslims, the Turks, the Crusaders, the British—all have besieged it and captured it, some several times. Strange, isn’t it, that peace has so eluded this city, which is held sacred by three religions. Strange, isn’t it, that the Prince of Peace was crucified there.

Christians should continue to pray for the troubled city of Jerusalem. We should also remember that the church is to the Christian what Jerusalem was to pilgrims. In language reminiscent of the way Jews approached Jerusalem, the book of Hebrews tells us: “You have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God” (12:22). And the way to bring peace is to “continue to love each other with true Christian love” (13:1).

Peace, perfect peace, our future all unknown?

Jesus we know, and he is on the throne.

EDWARD H. BICKERSTETH

Bible Networking

For inspiring implications of Psalm 122:9 read Hebrews 12:22-24.

Notable Quotable

“What Jerusalem was to the Israelite, the church is to the Christian. Here are his closest ties, his brethren and companions, known and unknown, drawn with him to the one center as fellow pilgrims.”

DEREK KIDNER