Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem
(Isaiah 29:1–16)
Luke 19:41-44
As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it and said, “If only you had known on this day what would bring you peace! But now it is hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you when your enemies will barricade you and surround you and hem you in on every side. They will level 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 your visitation from God.”
We've all heard the saying "Seize the moment" or "if opportunity comes knocking, open the door"...
Here in this excerpt from Luke's gospel, Jesus had just entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday - fulfilling the prophecy in Zechariah 14:4.
Then Jesus becomes extremely sad and weeps over the city of Jerusalem [indeed there is a church there on the descent of the Mount of Olives today to mark the event - Dominus Flevit meaning the Lord wept - the teardrop church].
His tears flowed because He knew that the people did not really recognise who He was.
He so wanted to draw everyone to Him like a "hen gathers her chicks", but they rejected Him. They didn't realise the huge gift of peace He offered them.
Just a few days later, those who had laid out palm leaves in praise, would cry "crucify Him" - such are the fickle feelings of a crowd.
Jesus then foretells of the destruction of Jerusalem in AD70, because "they did not recognise the time of their visitation".
There are huge consequences for rejecting Jesus and His offer of salvation.
God is very patient with each one of us - giving us the opportunity to see and respond to the prompting of His Holy Spirit. It is vital that the moment is seized, because there will come a time when that stage has passed.
Hebrews 12:15-17
Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who traded his birth right as the firstborn son for a single meal. You know that afterward, when he wanted his father’s blessing, he was rejected. It was too late for repentance, even though he begged with bitter tears.
Don't miss the time of YOUR visitation - if you hear Jesus knocking on your heart's door - let Him in!
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