Article April 15, 2019 Issue

Jerusalem—city of hope

Robin Harragin Hussey

A version of this article appeared in The Christian Science Monitor’s Christian Science Perspective column, March 30, 2018.

“When you see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like grass” (Isaiah 66:14). These words, translated here in the New King James Version of the Bible, were hastily carved by a fourth-century pilgrim as graffiti on the crumbling Western Wall in Jerusalem. I’ve heard it said that the Temple wall had so captured his heart that it became a place of hope and renewal for him.

I was fascinated by this ancient graffiti when I visited Jerusalem. The city itself is one of momentous history, but also, I found, extraordinary vitality, making it an inspiring place to visit. Historically, it has often been a center of turmoil. Christ Jesus lamented, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!” (Luke 13:34).

But the turmoil in Jerusalem in Jesus’ day was secondary to the deeply restorative and liberating event that would take place: Jesus’ resurrection. Fearing Jesus’ influence as he healed and reformed the sick and sinning, the religious and political authorities of the time crucified him on a cross. Yet this aggressive reaction to Jesus’ teaching and healing couldn’t stop the ultimate act of salvation for all humanity: Jesus’ victory over death.

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