Luke 19:41-42 "And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, (42) Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes."
Matthew 23:37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest
the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have
gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her
wings, and ye would not!"
As a child, I remember the one Bible verse that I had memorized. Yes, it was
this one, "Jesus wept." It was as He had gone to Bethany when Lazarus
had died. I admit, at that time, I had no idea the impact of that verse.
But it is a precious thing to know that our Lord is touched by the
"feelings of our infirmities." Today's passages speak of another time
when Jesus wept. It was for quite a different reason; yet, it shows the
compassion that Jesus has for His people. He wept over the city of Jerusalem because
He knew what was going to take place in just a few days. He had shown them
signs, wonders, miracles, and beautiful teachings; but, they failed to
recognize the difference that only Jesus can make in our lives. I know the
theological reason they rejected Him and there is a part of me that says,
"Thank you, Lord, for bringing these actions to a culmination in the
crucifixion of my Lord." But there is also a sadness to know that the
peace of our Lord can be missed by so many whose determination is set upon
their own ability rather than the grace of our God.
There are many today who still do not know "... the things which belong
unto thy peace!" There are many today who feel they can get by on their
own. Perhaps many, if not all of us, are guilty of doing the same thing, when
all the time Jesus stands with open arms saying, "Come unto me." We
try our own devices, which are many, in order to attempt to get through
struggles and trials. Oftentimes, it's only after trying everything that we
know to do that we then call upon the Lord for help. Jesus said, "... how
often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her
chickens under her wings, and ye would not!" We've all read and heard the
story of the firefighter walking through the woods after a forest fire. He came
upon a hen that had died during the fire. He turned the body over with his foot
and little chicks came running out from under the wings of that mother hen. She
had laid down her life for her chicks. Is our peace standing right in front of
us, but we fail to experience it because we are stubborn in trying to do it
ourselves. Again I write the words of Jesus when He said, "Come unto
me." To that I write the words inspired to the Apostle Paul, "Let us
therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and
find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16)
Hear the blessed Savior calling the oppressed,
“O ye heavy-laden, come to Me and rest;
Come, no longer tarry, I your load will bear,
Bring Me every burden, bring Me ev'ry care.”
Come unto Me; I will give you rest;
Take My yoke upon you, hear Me and be blest;
I am meek and lowly, come and trust My might;
Come, My yoke is easy, and My burden’s light.