Read Psalm 122:1-9 1I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!” 2Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem! 3Jerusalem—built as a city that is bound firmly together, 4to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord. 5There thrones for judgment were set, the thrones of the house of David. 6Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! “May they be secure who love you! 7Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!” 8For my brothers and companions’ sake I will say, “Peace be within you!” 9For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good.
The pilgrim has made it atop the mountain and can finally see the house of the Lord, his temple. The singers enter Jerusalem, a city of unity, justice, and peace.
What Jerusalem was to the Israelite, the church is to those who are in Christ.
Hebrews 12: 22. But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem,
Jerusalem was meant to be the dwelling place of God himself, a vision for the world of what life in his presence might be. Twelve tribes unified, righteous judgments from the king’s throne, shalom for all, security for all, goodness for all.
But where Jerusalem fell desperately short, the church can, and will succeed. Why? Because God no longer dwells in a building made of stone, but in hearts of flesh. Christ lives in our hearts through faith.
Jerusalem failed as a model because sinful hearts were not changed. The church will succeed because Christ dwells in each and every believer’s heart-temple. Unity, justice, peace, security, these aren’t just dreams, they are our reality in Christ. They are the church. They are to live is Christ.
You: Do you see yourself, your church, as the dwelling place of God? If not, why not?
You in Christ: By union with Christ, God dwells in our heart temples. How does this finally fulfill what earthly Jerusalem never could?
Christ in you: How can you make your local church a place of unity, peace, and goodness?
Pray: Father, you have poured your peace into our hearts by the Spirit so that we can be what Jerusalem never fully was. Let me live as part of Heavenly Jerusalem today. Let me love the church and in so doing, love you. Amen.
To Live is Christ 