As he drew near, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If this day you only knew what makes for peace-but now it is hidden from your eyes.” Luke 19:41-42 NABRE
Jesus is nearing the end of His final journey to Jerusalem. He has previously predicted He will be killed in Jerusalem, so He is aware of His future. At this moment in the journey Jesus is able to see Jerusalem from His descent from Mount of Olives and He is weeping over its future. During His journey to His crucifixion He will meet women who are weeping for Him and he will redirect them to “weep instead for yourselves and for your children” (Luke 23:38.) Jesus knows the future for the city is complete destruction and this will disperse Israel for millennia. Jesus also knows what makes peace for the city, it is Him and His message of peace, but this is not the path the people and particularly their leaders will embark. Their choices will cement a future of destruction from enemies that will blockade the city and encircle it with troops. Jesus declares that these enemies will not leave one stone upon another. With hindsight we know these events occurred approximately forty years after Jesus death and resurrection, exactly as Jesus predicts. Jesus ends these verses with the statement the people did not recognize the time of their visitation. God was present in their city, human and divine together, and the people treated Him like a criminal and killed Him. Most were unaware of God’s presence.
How often do we encounter God and not realize it. There are people in our midst who are messengers of God or the Holy Spirit meant for us to recognize we have received a visitation. If we miss the visitation we likely miss the message. God’s mercy always provides a means to have another chance, always be ready!
Have you encountered God in others? Have you met the Holy Spirit?
How often do we encounter God and not realize it. There are people in our midst who are messengers of God or the Holy Spirit meant for us to recognize we have received a visitation. Click To Tweet#bible’#godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #peace #visitation #Luke #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #cross #last #Matthew #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways