As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 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.’ (Luke 19:41-42)
It’s a day of celebration! The King is entering Jerusalem. Hundreds of thousands of people are gathered. They are calling out… “Hosanna, Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord (Luke 19:38).” The people are throwing their cloaks on the road before Christ in honor to Him. They are humbled at the King’s presence. They lay down their palm branches and the King enters on a donkey. The prophecy from Zechariah 9:9 is fulfilled. The moment is filled with jubilation. It’s a moment that we continue to celebrate and call Palm Sunday! I can’t begin to imagine what that day was like.
Yet, one thing leaves my heart feeling kind of heavy. Here is a day filled with excitement. A day filled with people rejoicing and celebrating! A day where most people are wearing smiles on their faces. Yet, there is one who is weeping. One who rides in, somber as can be. Yes, Scripture says that Jesus saw Jerusalem and wept over it. This grieves my heart! The Savior knew what Jerusalem was missing. He knew what this day meant. Yes, today they would rejoice at the fulfillment of a prophecy, but in just five short days… They would cry, “Crucify Him!” They would turn their backs on the One they just moments earlier celebrated!
There are only three places in Scripture that record Jesus weeping. It doesn’t say He shed one tear or cried a little bit. The Bible says, “He wept.” Jesus was weeping while everyone one was rejoicing at His triumphal entry. Did anyone notice? Did anyone see that the King of Kings was weeping? Did anyone see that Jesus was broken hearted? Were they paying attention? No, not really. They were all caught up in a moment. The words that proceed from Jesus mouth after we hear that He is weeping break my heart…
“If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace–but now it is hidden from your eyes.” (Luke 19:42)
Jesus could have given them the peace of God. He could had given them more than they could have ever asked for, but He knew in just five short days they would spit upon Him. They would deny He was Christ. They would yell, “Crucify Him!” They would place a crown of thorns on His head! This moment of rejoicing would vanish into thin air!
How many times do we come close to having that peace that God offers us, but just short of that moment we give up? We throw in the towel. We hand over the Savior again! We say, “Well, You didn’t do things the way I wanted you to! You didn’t show up the way I expected You too. I had bigger plans for You God and You didn’t quite handle things the way I thought You would. I guess I’ll find something better!” We do it every day. We place God in a box because His thinking isn’t quite like ours. We must remember this…
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)
When we truly start to grasp the above verse, then we can begin to have the peace that Jesus talked about in Luke. We can have this…
“And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)
Challenge: Read Luke 18 & 19
Apply the Word: What kind of box are you keeping God in? Will you recognize the Savior when He shows up in your life? Will you allow God to do things on His terms? Will you recognize that God’s ways truly are higher and greater? Will this be a season of surrender to the King?
Memory Verse: John 15:5
Dear Father God, I’m sorry for all the times I’ve placed You in a box. I’m so sorry for not recognizing Your work in my life at times. It is tough to understand what You are doing, but honestly I don’t have the view You have on my life. My perspective is truly limited. But You have a great perspective on my life and I want to entrust all the details to You! I know You have great plans in store for me! Thank You!
Clinging to God’s Peace,
