The City that is Blessed

At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” And he said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course. Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.’ O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! Behold, your house is forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ” (Luke 13:31-35).

What is your destination today? Is it a great day at work? Is it a good grade on a test or paper? Are you settling into a new job or a new neighborhood? Maybe you just hope to get through another day. Let’s face it, we do not know the final destination of any road we embark upon each day. For sure we have a plan, but as disciples of Christ we are promised that our precious Lord has a more premium plan than we might ever imagine… “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). As maturing disciples we are learning to give Him more control over the steps and direction of our daily walk… “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps” (Proverbs 16:9). Jesus was undeterred as He journeyed toward the earthly city of Jerusalem and He taught His disciples by example how to resist the world’s course, to fix our hearts on the Lord’s goal, and to follow His leading toward our glorious destiny in the heavenly Jerusalem as He persevered in His own journey toward the city that is blessed.

Jerusalem is the city of distinction for Christ’s devotees. Jesus’ example of uncompromising commitment to finish the journey to Jerusalem reminds us that as His followers, we are not of the world, nor are we to be conquered or controlled by anything of the world… “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). In resisting the urging of the Pharisees and rejecting the threats of Herod, Jesus showed us how resist and reject the influence of our culture as we faithfully pursue the only good, acceptable, and perfect will that is of God.

Jerusalem is the city of determination for Christ’s deputies. Jesus showed us that our journey toward heaven is not only personal. Along the way He wants us to reflect His example that true discipleship touches lives and impacts the world around us with His grace and mercy… “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). As we journey through this suffering world toward our eternal rest, Jesus fills our path with people and circumstances that need the power of His grace and mercy to flow through us into their lives, that they might be compelled to join us in our journey.

Jerusalem is the city of destiny for Christ’s disciples. Jesus’ journey toward the historic city of Jerusalem and to a fixed appointment with the cross was part of His journey toward a heavenly Jerusalem that was inexorably connected to this earthly city… “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel” (Hebrews 12:22-24). This is the everlasting city that should be the final destination of every true disciple because it is the capital of eternity and the tabernacle of God forever… “I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God’” (Revelation 21:2-3).

As we grow up into Christ, we seek to share His grace and mercy as we draw ever closer to…

The City that is Blessed.