Jerusalem in Israel's story
Jerusalem mattered greatly in the Bible. David captured the city and established it as the centre of his kingdom, and it became known as the city of David (2 Samuel 5:6-9). Later, Solomon built the temple there, making Jerusalem central to Israel's worship (1 Kings 8:10-13).
Jesus also lived, taught, died and rose again in and around Jerusalem. He wept over the city because he saw its coming suffering and longed for its people to recognise the way of peace (Luke 19:41-44). So Christians need not minimise Jerusalem's biblical weight. It is woven through the story of God's dealings with Israel and the coming of Christ.
Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David.
Ancient history is not a modern command
Still, the Bible's record that David ruled from Jerusalem is not the same as a command about present-day borders, embassies or capitals. Scripture does not tell modern governments which city they must recognise as Israel's capital, nor does it lay out a foreign-policy plan for Christians.
Some Christians see the modern return of Jewish people to the land as highly significant in God's purposes. Others understand biblical promises about land and restoration differently, especially in light of the work of Jesus. Faithful believers have held both views. Whatever view someone takes, it should be held with humility rather than used to dismiss the suffering or dignity of other people.
Pray for Jerusalem's peace
Psalm 122 calls God's people to pray for Jerusalem's peace (Psalm 122:6). That prayer is not a slogan for one side. Biblical peace, often described by the Hebrew word shalom, means more than a temporary absence of fighting. It includes wholeness, safety, right relationships and the wellbeing of a community.
Praying for Jerusalem can include asking God to protect Jewish and Palestinian families, comfort those grieving, restrain violence, guide leaders towards truth and make room for ordinary people to live without fear. That is a prayer Christians from different political convictions can sincerely share.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.
Let justice shape the conversation
The prophets repeatedly called God's people to seek justice, defend vulnerable people and refuse wrongdoing (Isaiah 1:17). Those concerns belong in any Christian response to questions about Jerusalem, Israel and Palestine. Security matters. So do freedom, truthful speech, mercy and the protection of civilians.
Jesus blesses peacemakers (Matthew 5:9), and Paul urges believers, as far as it depends on them, to live peaceably with all people (Romans 12:18). Christians may reasonably disagree about whether Jerusalem should be recognised as Israel's capital. They should not disagree about treating every person caught in conflict as someone made by God and worthy of neighbourly love.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.