Day 224

Zion, City of Our God

Read: Isaiah 60-62

Zion is another name for Jerusalem, the site of the temple of the Lord. Jerusalem failed God again and again. The New Testament transfers to the church many of the things the Old Testament says about Zion. Christians therefore see the wonderful descriptions of this passage in Isaiah as applying to themselves. This is reflected in the great hymn of John Newton, “Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken.” But as seen in the book of Revelation, these glories will reach their fulfillment in the New Jerusalem, the church in its future perfect state.

God’s glory will shine where previously there was darkness and all nations shall share in this light. Christ is the source of that light. In the midst of this section of Scripture there is a passage which Christ applied to himself (61:1-3) as reported in Luke’s Gospel. He sees this description as his agenda “to bring good tidings to the afflicted; . . . the oil of gladness instead of mourning,” and so on. But is not the church the body of Christ; is not his agenda to be ours? Are we not to continue his words of grace and works of mercy? The church has great blessings, but it also has great responsibilities.

“For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her vindication goes forth as brightness” (62:1). Let us not rest until the church becomes all God wants it to be.

PRAYER
Father, we rejoice in the blessings you have showered upon the church and dedicate ourselves to its work. Amen.