Jerusalem - 'and Jesus wept'

Have spent the day in Jerusalem today with team. A self guided walking tour, trying to get my head round the mass of conflicting thoughts and emotions that have been swirling round and round in my mind. 

Jerusalem - a place of so much religious focus for three of the biggest faith groups  in the world. Christians, Jews, Muslims - each claiming their portion of the city and its historical significance. 

And therefore Jerusalem - a place of such tension, awareness of other, conflict and prejudice

But at the same time Jerusalem - the place where Jesus came, as a boy with his parents, and then as a man, to be betrayed, crucified and buried. And from where He rose from the dead. 

And day by day, Jerusalem - a city where people live, work, get educated, grow up, have families, just do all the normal things in life

Jerusalem - a place of so many contrasts, so much hope and so much passion. 

And a place where it felt like sometimes all the hope of this city gets sidelined amidst the present day conflicts and arguments. 

As I looked over Jerusalem this morning, I couldn't help but remember how Jesus had looked over it in a similar way - and wept

I wonder how much He looks down on it now and weeps. It feels like a city of such potential for hope and peace, but how much is that potential lost amidst the

politics. 

It's Enough to make you weep