The perennial vision of the prophets was that Jerusalem would embody fidelity of worship and a commitment to neighborliness, and thus be a light to the nations. But the prophets spent most of their time calling Jerusalem to repent of its idolatry and injustice. Instead of being a light to the nations, Jerusalem was mostly just another city built on the idolatry of self-interest and the injustice of exploitation. As Jesus began his ministry he spoke of fulfilling the aim of the Law and the Prophets, and of gathering a people around himself who would be the light of the world, a city set on a
...more
