We live in a world that is lost. Sin is rampant. People are hurting and in need of hope. They need to know that there is another way than living lost in sin. The question is, do we see and recognize the lost people around us, or are we too busy going about our daily routines and rhythms to notice?
In our Bible study together this week, we have been looking at the story of Jesus riding on a young donkey to Jerusalem, where He would be arrested, killed, and buried. On His way to Jerusalem, people worshiped Him. They thought He was coming to rescue Israel from Roman rule, but He was coming to save the world from sin and death. As Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem and crowds worshiped Him, Jesus wept. As He wept, he said, “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace” (verse 42). Jesus was grieved because He knew that these people did not recognize Him as the Messiah who came to rescue them from sin. He said to the Israelite people, “Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you from every side…. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you did not recognize it when God visited you" (verses 43-44). Because they did not recognize Jesus as God, they were going to face destruction from their enemies. They would also face eternal life apart from God if they did not believe that Jesus was God and place their faith in Him. This is why Jesus wept. He wept because He cared deeply about the people of Jerusalem and wept because they were lost.
Jesus cared so deeply about the souls of those who are lost. Imagine if we had that same burden for the lost. What would happen if we had such a deep burden for the lost that we wept over them? We would be more motivated and more dedicated to reaching the lost. May God give each one of us a deep burden for the lost.
Who are the lost people in your life? Take time now to pray for them by name. Pray that God would make Himself known to them. Ask for opportunities to share your faith with them. If you do not know anyone who is lost, think of one place where you could go to spend time around lost people. Maybe you could start going to a local coffee shop a few times a week and get to know those who work there. Maybe you can strike up meaningful conversations with parents at your child’s soccer practice. Maybe you can join a gym and get to know people to have intentional conversations about your faith there. As you decide where to go, ask God for opportunities to share your faith with the people around you.
41 But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. 42 “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes. 43 Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you from every side. 44 They will crush you into the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you did not recognize it when God visited you.”
45 Then Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people selling animals for sacrifices. 46 He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”
47 After that, he taught daily in the Temple, but the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the other leaders of the people began planning how to kill him. 48 But they could think of nothing, because all the people hung on every word he said.
