Verse 1
See Him in Jerusalem
Walking where the crowds are
Once these streets had sung to Him
Now they cry for murder
Such a frail and lonely Man
Holding up the heavy cross
See Him walking in Jerusalem
On the road to save us

Verse 2
See Him there upon the hill
Hear the scorn and laughter
Silent as a lamb He waits
Praying to the Father
See the King who made the sun
And the moon and shining stars
Let the soldiers hold and nail Him down
So that He could save them

Verse 3
See Him there upon the cross
Now no longer breathing
Dust that formed the watching crowds
Takes the blood of Jesus
Feel the earth is shaking now
See the veil is split in two
And He stood before the wrath of God
Shielding sinners with His blood

Verse 4
See the empty tomb today
Death could not contain Him
Once the Servant of the world
Now in vict'ry reigning
Lift your voices to the One
Who is seated on the throne
See Him in the New Jerusalem
Praise the One who saved us

Jonny Robinson, Rich Thompson, Tiarne Tranter
CCLI Song #7003218
© 2014 CityAlight Music
For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use.  All rights reserved. www.ccli.com

When Jesus set His face toward Jerusalem, He knew exactly what awaited Him. From Mark 11 onward, every scene unfolds in the city that both welcomed Him and rejected Him. The triumphal entry, the temple cleansing, the final supper, His betrayal, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection—all of it takes place in Jerusalem.

Mark’s Gospel, especially its second half (chapters 8–16), slows down and zooms in on these climactic days. Nearly half the book is devoted to this final week, showing us where the weight of the story falls: on His suffering, death, and resurrection.

CityAlight’s song “Jerusalem” traces this very path. The lyrics begin with Christ entering the city in meekness and end with the hope of His return in glory. This isn’t just history—it’s our story of salvation, the good news Mark calls “the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (Mark 1:1).

In Mark 11, Jesus enters Jerusalem on a colt, fulfilling Zechariah’s prophecy (Zech. 9:9). He is the King—but not a king who conquers with force. He conquers by giving His life. The crowds shout “Hosanna!” but soon their cries will change to “Crucify him!” (Mark 15:13).

Mark’s Gospel is raw and immediate. We see Jesus mocked, beaten, and rejected (Mark 15:16–20). This fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy: “He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3). He bore the scorn that we deserved, taking our sin upon Himself.

Everything in Mark moves toward the cross. Jesus Himself says, “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). This ransom was paid at Golgotha, where He was crucified (Mark 15:22–25). At the very moment of His death, the temple curtain was torn in two (Mark 15:38), showing that through Christ’s sacrifice, the way to God has been opened.

But Mark’s Gospel doesn’t end in defeat. On the first day of the week, the women hear the angel’s words: “He has risen; he is not here” (Mark 16:6). The grave could not hold Him. As Paul later declares, “Death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:54).

The song “Jerusalem” lifts our eyes forward—to the day when Christ will return, when we will see the New Jerusalem, and God will wipe away every tear (Revelation 21:2–4). Mark’s fast-moving Gospel leaves us with urgency: the crucified and risen King has accomplished salvation, and now the call is to follow Him “immediately” (Mark’s favorite word) in faith and obedience, waiting with hope for His return.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for setting Your face toward Jerusalem, knowing the cross that awaited You. Thank You for bearing my sin and opening the way to the Father. Help me follow You with urgency and joy, carrying my cross daily. Give me hope as I look forward to the day when I will see You face to face in the New Jerusalem. Amen.