Jerusalem: God’s Holy CitySample

Jerusalem: God’s Holy City

Great is the LORD, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain. Beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth, like the heights of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the Great King. — PSALM 48:1-2

Jerusalem is the most sacred city on earth, chosen by God to be the site of His dwelling place in our world. Whether we know its history and significance or not, everyone feels connected to this holy city. For the Jewish people, Jerusalem remains the most important city on earth. For 2,000 years, the Jews never forgot Jerusalem. It is mentioned three times a day in prayer, and Jews are the only people in the world who face Jerusalem when praying, no matter where they might be. Every year during Passover, we exclaim the hopeful words “Next year in Jerusalem.” God’s Holy City was, is, and always will be the place Jews yearn for.

Jerusalem represents the golden age of the Jewish people, when we were strong militarily, economically, and most importantly, spiritually. In Psalm 48:2, Jerusalem is called “the joy of the whole earth.” At its height, Jerusalem was a beacon of light and a source of joy for the whole world. After the city fell and the bitter exile began, Jerusalem became a source of mourning and longing. Yet, Jerusalem has also held our hope for the future, for a time when its glory will be fully restored once again.

For Christians, Jerusalem holds great spiritual significance as well. Jesus spent time there, teaching and worshiping at the Temple. When he was a baby, Mary and Joseph presented him to the Lord at the Temple in Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is where Jesus made his triumphal entry, where he was crucified, where the Christian church was birthed, and where today Christian pilgrims follow in Jesus’ footsteps. Paralleling Jewish theology, Christian scriptures refer to the future kingdom as the New Jerusalem. In this Fellowship Study, we will look at the deep significance of Jerusalem and its relevance to Jews, Christians, and the entire world. Join us as we explore her secrets and anticipate her eternity.