Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture

Read Luke 19:39-44.
TEXT: And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said
to Him, "Teacher, rebuke Your disciples." He
answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the very
stones would cry out" (Luke 19:39-40).

Jesus enters Jerusalem with a large crowd joyfully
singing His praises. Some Pharisees come out of
Jerusalem and urge Jesus to silence His supporters.
But Jesus refuses; this King will have His rightful praise.
Even if the people remain silent, the stones themselves
will cry out.

In a few days the Pharisees will have their way. These
praises will fall silent as the crowds begin shouting,
"Crucify, crucify Him!" Reaching the ridge of Jerusalem
Jesus begins sobbing. If only the city realized how easily
it could escape disaster. All its citizens have to do is
turn from their wrongs and trust in Jesus. Woefully, that
great peace is hidden from their eyes.

Jesus' tears flow because His all-knowing eyes see what
will happen here in 40 years. He sees the Roman legions
arriving, encircling the city, and cutting down the trees to
build their siege weapons. He sees violence and disease
breaking out through the doomed city. He sees starvation
and plague ravaging those who remain. He sees the
Romans breaking through the city walls and savagely
attacking the last defenders at the temple walls. He sees
the temple in flames and the defenders being slaughtered,
as they turn from their Roman attackers in a
desperate attempt to extinguish the fires. He sees the
temple reduced to rubble, with not one stone left upon another.
And He weeps bitterly because all this is so needless. If
only they would recognize God graciously visiting them
through His Son.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, Your heart broke at the senseless devastation
Jerusalem would suffer because of its foolish unbelief. Guard
my heart and mind against unbelief, so I may live with You
in heaven, and not suffer eternally in hell. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)