“If You had Known..”

Luke 19:24-48

Monday, 14 April 2025

Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! …” –Luke 19:41-42

Our reading today focuses on Jesus’ coming to Jerusalem at the climax of His ministry for which He came to the earth- His death and resurrection. As He rode on a colt down the Mount of Olive, people who followed Him shouted

“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!

Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

The scene is reminiscent of Old Testament kings entering the nation’s prominent city of Jerusalem in peace and being welcomed by his people in joy. Jesus was actually fulfilling what the prophets spoke about the Messiah, God’s anointed who came as His representative to accomplish His mission.

Yet the next scene goes on to reveal Jesus’ sorrow for Jerusalem, the city which once prided in its glory and splendour but disregarded the prophets and even failed to recognize Jesus as God’s Sent One. How he longed for its people to understand God’s way to peace! If only they would have accepted Him and His ushering in God’s Kingdom which would bring peace- in other words, salvation- they would have recognised that auspicious day! But it was not so. Jesus could foresee the consequences of such a rejection on their part- a day would come when utter destruction would come to that city. This did happen in AD 70 when Emperor Titus and his men razed the city to the ground bringing God’s judgment.

You may well ask how all of this has any relevance for you today. It surely does! God has offered His Son, Jesus as a means to having peace with Him (cf. Romans 5:1). Sinful man is estranged from a holy God and lives in enmity with Him. Unless sin is dealt with, there is no way to being reconciled with God. No work of man can ever fetch a right standing with God. Hence His provision through the death of His Son Jesus who willingly came to earth, lived as a human and went through the cruel death on the cross as a just punishment for the sin of all humankind. It is only through repentance and faith in His atoning work for man’s sin, can one be made right with God. God reconciles us to Himself only through Jesus Christ (2Cor.5:18).

Jesus is still sorrowful for every person who spurns God’s way for peace with Him—that is the Salvation He offers to everyone in the world today. John 3:16 says: God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him, should not perish but have eternal life. He does not want anyone to perish- that includes you, dear friend! Just as Jesus saw the destruction of Jerusalem which surely came to pass, there is an appointed day God has fixed to judge all men-it will be on the basis on one’s acceptance or rejection of His Son who He sent to save you and me from eternal damnation in the pit of hell.

Acts 17:30-31 rings loud and clear even today: “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” History proves the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Would you still ignore the days of grace that is still open for you to make peace with God? Remember dear friend, the decision you make is for eternity!

To Heed: “Today when you hear his voice,

                don’t harden your hearts.” (Hebrews 4:7)