Today’s Bible reading is Genesis 46 and Luke 19.
In Luke 19, as Jesus “drew near and saw” Jerusalem, he wept.
“Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.” (Luke 19:41-44)
Notice two things from this intensely emotional moment in Jesus’ life.
Jesus’ desire for people was that they might know “the things that make for peace”–peace with their Creator, peace after the ravages of sin, and peace with one another.
The prophet Isaiah had foretold more than 700 years before his coming that this One would be called “Prince of Peace” (Isa 9:6). A host of angels had proclaimed at his birth:
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:14)
Now in Luke 19, on the slope of the Mount of Olives, a multitude of disciples is crying out with a loud voice:
“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” (Luke 19:38)
The King had come with an offer of peace for those who had committed cosmic treason against him. Jesus’ desire for people has always been that they might know “the things that make for peace.”
But people miss out on this peace when they fail to recognize “the time of their visitation.”
In Luke 19, “God with us” was riding into Jerusalem. And yet, even as he taught “the things that make for peace” in the temple that week, “the chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people were seeking to destroy him” (Luke 19:47). They did not recognize the time of their visitation.
Do you?
The rising of this morning’s sun is another daily reminder that our Creator is. This first day of Spring is another seasonal reminder that our God is patient, not wishing that any should perish. Moment by moment on this beautiful planet, we experience reminder after reminder–the One who is willing to make peace is not far from each one of us (Acts 17:27).
“Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace!”
Are you at peace with him today?