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Week 7: Over the City
As we have continued to look at the common traits among different exile movements we have been invited to join with Jeremiah and weep a godly grief for our pride, the pride of our congregations, and the pride of our land.
Today as we move on, we remember that Jerusalem has been the ground for more than one of God's prophets.
The Vistas of Jerusalem
You might recall that the Temple Mount in Jerusalem stands, or should I say, sits in stark contrast to Olympus. Olympus reigns over all of Greek land, but the Temple Mount in Jerusalem is not even the highest point of the holy city. There are other vistas in Jerusalem that overlook and oversee city life.
Walking into the Valley of Gehenna, to the south-west of the Old City, the land is hot and dry like an oven. Looking up, one can see the ridge of the hill of the City of David, and in certain places, the heights of the Temple Mount. From this perspective, it is not difficult to recall the Psalms of Ascent.
I lift my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from?
Likewise, from the Kidron Valley, the walk is very similar. Its heat is scorching, with no shelter from the sun. Above the Kidron Valley, not being as low as Gehenna, there is a line of site to David's City, the Old City, the infringed Mercy Gate, and the Temple Mount.
But more importantly, in the Kidron Valley, one is aware of two higher lands than the Temple Mount. In the Kidron Valley while facing east we find a mount that the church knows well. Here, the Mount of Olives towers over Jerusalem.
Half way up the Mount of Olives, near the Garden of Gethsemane, visitors can look into the Temple Mount and the former Temple complex. From the top of the Mount of Olives, pilgrims can clearly look down onto the Temple courts and business that goes on.
The second mount, to the north of the city, as the topography continues to rise, is a distinct stony hill. At the base of this hill is a major traffic artery which runs in and out of the city, and towards Damascus. In fact, based on the design of city gates, the northern or Damascus Gate is the grand entrance to the Old City of Jerusalem. Here, masses of people swarm around in a fury of commerce, dining, conversation, prayer, and even solitude.
Today, just east of the Damascus Gate and at the base of this stony hill lies a bus station--soot rising to greet the stony walls above. Hundreds, if not thousands of people come and go, or travel through this bus station each and every day.
I wonder how many of these bus riders know that just above them--that the sooty hill which encompasses them and looks down on the rest of Jerusalem--is a simple and barren place called Golgotha.
From both of these mountain tops, the Mount of Olives and Golgotha, Jerusalem knew another weeping prophet in addition to Jeremiah:
Luke 13
34 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 35 See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, 'Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.' "
Luke 19
41 As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it, 42 saying, "If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for [shalom]! But now they are hidden from your eyes.43 Indeed, the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up ramparts around you and surround you, and hem you in on every side.44 They will crush you to the ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave within you one stone upon another; because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God."
Luke 23
34 Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing."
Flowing Down the Mountains
While God has placed his Temple within the city, and as Jesus walked among the city, Jesus also took time to be above the city watching, waiting, and acting. From these high hills, Jesus cried.
He wept.
Jesus mourned.
As God mourned over creation in Noah's day, God mourned through Jeremiah. As God mourned when the covenant people asked for a king, God further mourned through Jesus, from the garden and from the cross.
Just as the blood flowed down from a sacrifice to cover a multitude of sins, so the tears of God run down from the high mountains. As Jesus gave his lifeblood and as it fell to the ground, so Jesus' salty tears carried his love to the earth. From the Mount of Olives to Golgotha, Jesus wept like Jeremiah, for our pride and sin. Jesus wept, not because God rejects us in exile, but because we have the ability, willingness, and actions to reject God before, during, and after exile.
In this Easter season, we remember that God mourned and grieves for creation while overlooking Jerusalem from the top of two hills. One hill is named for olives, and oil, and blessing. The second is named for skulls, and death, and curses. God engages creation from both life and death, blessings and curses.
Wrestling with God
- Pray through Luke 13, 19,and 23.
We often ask God to give us Jesus-Eyes so that we can see the world as Jesus does. While you read, ask God to give you Jesus-Tears, so that we might experience how God mourns for us, the global church, and all of creation.
- Do an internet search for images of The Valley of Gehenna, The Kidron Valley, the Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane, and Golgotha. Print them out and lay them before you. What do you see in these places? As you examine and pray over these pictures, how do you experience Jesus-Tears? What is God calling you to be and do with these experiences?
Peace,
Matt Skolnik
Holy Habits
From the Mount of Olives and Golgotha, Jesus overlooked the city. There he prayed for the city. Jesus also watch, waited, and acted from these high vistas.
Go with the leadership of your church to the highest point(s) in your town or city. You may find yourself in a building, on a hill, or climbing a flag pole. As you look down, what do you see. More importantly, what does Jesus see?
From these experiences, how do Jesus-Eyes and Jesus-Tears, challenge your hearts, your congregation, and the way you do life and ministry together? What new way of life is Jesus calling you to do today, this week, and this month?
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