Corona Devo 536

We have heard the story of Jesus riding on a donkey as he approached Jerusalem and how people waved palm branches and chanted "Hosanna".  But even as people cheered Him, Jesus knew the cross that awaited Him in a week.  And He also knew that many had not chosen to accept Him, and that they were forfeiting His peace in their lives.  It made Him weep.

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. ~Luke 19:41-42

Jesus began to weep because so many of His children did not understand that He was the way to peace, and so they lived without peace.

Are we living without His peace today?  He weeps for us to know His peace.

Who do we know that is living without His peace today?  He weeps for them to know His peace.

If we can help others to understand the peace that Jesus brings into our lives, it can make an immediate and eternal difference.  

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.  ~Luke 19:41-42

I believe this because I see it all around me in our "cities" today.  We know/love/see/read-posts-of many people who do not understand the way to peace (Jesus!).  (And some days--that is me!)

They do not understand that Jesus is the way to peace and not anything else.  Peace has been hidden from their eyes and their lives.  

I believe this, and yet in-the-hope-of-Christ, I will not believe (yet) that it is too late (Luke 19:42) for them to understand the way to peace (Jesus).

We, as God's people, cannot throw up our hands and tsk-our-tongues and say, "Oh well.".  

Jesus wept for them.  Our hearts should weep for them as well.

Our daughter began to weep after school the other day as she processed and shared the story of a classmate who "wanted to kill themselves" because for a variety of very real reasons, she has no peace.  She's ten years old.  

It is not too late for the lunch table of ten-year olds to understand the way to peace (Jesus). 

It is not too late for the news-addicted man or woman that is too scared to leave their home to understand the way to peace (Jesus). 

It is not too late for the culturally-infused teen or twenty-something to understand the way to peace (Jesus). 

It is not too late for our families, friends, neighbors, church members, work-mates, leaders, and government officials to understand the way to peace (Jesus). 

Seeing their lack-of-peace made Jesus weep, and it should cause us to as well.  He doesn't want anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

I will not believe (yet) that it is too late (Luke 19:42) for anyone to understand the way to peace (Jesus).  

But Jesus also shares a warning for those purposely choosing not to follow His 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 accept your opportunity for salvation.”  ~Luke 19:42-44

I can't say if these are metaphors or literal interpretations, but I can say that because we-as-a-people have not understood (God's) way to peace, we do have enemies building ramparts against the walls of our Nation and our family-structures.  And we do have enemies...encircling us as Christ-followers and closing in on us from every side.  And there are times when we feel, and when our believing brothers and sisters are actually enduring being crushed into the ground, and their children with them.  The Bible is relevant even up to the latest news stories of today.

But we can have hope and bring hope to others because until-we-take-our-last-breath, God provides the opportunity to accept His salvation, and thus His peace.

We must open our eyes to "see" the city around us and those rushing to and from it (as he came closer...and saw the city ahead...  ~Luke 19:41).  

Jesus saw it and He wept for those who did not understand the way to peace (Him).

I weep for the privilege and burden that our children and you and I have everyday to help others understand the way to peace (Jesus).

It is not too late, until the day we die for us to help others understand the way to peace (Jesus).  Who are we sitting next to at the lunch table of life?

It is not too late, until the day they die for others to understand the way to peace (Jesus). 

Are we living without His peace today?  He weeps for us to know His peace.

Who do we know that is living without His peace today?  He weeps for them to know His peace.

It is not too late.


Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com

P.S. The 10-year old mentioned here was connected with a school counselor and is coming over to play with our daughter this week. 💛

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