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. Luke 19:42
There are very few times in the Bible that we read about Jesus weeping. One of those times was observing the grief His friends Mary and Martha felt over the death of His friend Lazarus. Another time was when He looked at the city of Jerusalem and wept because so many Israelites did not recognize Jesus for who He was: the Son of God. Because of this, they also would not know the hope and peace that He offers.
In the last week of Jesus’ life, Luke 19 tells us that as He approached the city of Jerusalem, He wept. Why did He weep? He wept over the people of Israel who did not know who He was. He then spoke out loud to the city of Jerusalem. He said, “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” (verse 42). He deeply desired that the people of Israel would have His peace, but He knew that most of them would not accept the peace that He offered. He concluded this speech to Israel, saying, “You did not recognize it when God visited” (verse 42). They did not recognize that Jesus was the Son of God who had come to save them from their sins and that deeply grieved Him.
Jesus’ deep grief in Luke 19 reminds us of how much He desires all of His people to find the peace that comes from having eternal life in Him. As His followers, this passage of Scripture calls us to ask if we, ourselves, have that same burden for those who are far from Him. Do we grieve at the spiritual lostness that is all around us? My friend, there is a deep desire for the peace and life that Jesus offers all around us. May we all have the same care and concern for lost and misguided people around us.
Jesus offers the hope and the peace that so many people are looking for today. We get the privilege of spreading His message of hope and peace. Take a few moments to review the Bridge Diagram, which is a very helpful tool for sharing your faith with the people in your life who are far from Christ. Practice sharing it at least two times. Look for opportunities throughout your day to share the hope and peace of Jesus with the people around you.
Luke 19:41-44 (NLT)
"As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”
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