where you there? jerusalem

As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.” Luke 19:41-44, NIV

Jerusalem, the city at the heart of Lent, pulses with sacred significance. From the triumphant entry to the agonising crucifixion and glorious resurrection, its stones stand as silent witnesses to Christ’s final journey.

We walk with Jesus through its narrow streets, feeling the weight of betrayal and the sting of injustice. The Temple, once a place of prayer, becomes a stage for confrontation and rejection. The Garden of Gethsemane resonates with Christ's anguished plea to the Father. Jerusalem, a city of profound contrasts, focuses us both on human frailty and divine love. Its image serves as a reminder of the great cost of our salvation and the unshakable hope found in Christ’s sacrifice.

Let's pray
Lord Jesus, guide me as I imagine walking with you through the streets of Jerusalem. Help me feel the burden of your sacrifice and embrace the depth of your love. Grant me grace to follow you faithfully, standing as your witness, knowing that in your suffering, I find life. In your matchless name. Amen.