Read Psalm 87:1-17. 1On the holy mount stands the city he founded; 2the Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob. 3Glorious things of you are spoken, O city of God. 4Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon; behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush—“This one was born there,” they say. 5And of Zion it shall be said, “This one and that one were born in her”; for the Most High himself will establish her. 6The Lord records as he registers the peoples, “This one was born there.” 7Singers and dancers alike say, “All my springs are in you.”
Zion, the city of God, wasn’t just Israel’s capital and God’s favorite city, it was a picture of God’s salvation. A picture of the heavenly city where God himself dwells. A place where all the nations will live with God forever in glory. The Psalmist envisions even Israel’s enemies (Egyptians, Babylonians, Philistines) living together with the them as God’s new people. Each individual name registered in the Book of God as natural born citizens of his kingdom.
This vision has yet to be realized in an earthly sense. But in the heavenly sense it is the church of Christ. All who live together as the people of God in the spiritual city of God. All whose former dividing wall of enmity has been broken down by our union in Christ. All whose names are in the Book of Life. All whose citizenship is in heaven. All who have been born in mother Jerusalem.
Galatians 4:26. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.
To live is Christ means we are already citizens of the New Jerusalem, the heavenly Zion. We are the singers and dancers who declare all my springs are in you, Jesus. All my joy flows from knowing and trusting you. And it means all enmity has been destroyed as even historic enemies now worship together in the city that takes form anywhere those in Christ gather.
You: How aware are you each day of your heavenly citizenship?
You in Christ: Does knowing that you are a citizen of the heavenly Jerusalem change your perspective on things at all? In what ways?
Christ in you: Does your life declare your faith in Christ?
Pray: Jesus, you have brought me into your city as a citizen of your kingdom. For this I am grateful and for this I trust you. Amen.
To Live is Christ 