Luke 19:41-44

Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Take a moment to settle into your surroundings and then begin to recognize your breath. As you breathe in, call on the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.

As we continue the story of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, read Luke 19:41-44 noting the contrast between the cheers of the crowd and Jesus’ reaction to seeing the city.

This is only one of two instances in the Gospels where we see Jesus moved to tears. John tells us that Jesus cried at the tomb of his friend Lazarus before he raised him from the dead, and though John isn’t clear about the source of Jesus emotions, we can see from the text that he was disturbed by the hopeless grieving of the people gathered at the tomb.

Now as he stands looking down on Jerusalem - the symbolic heart of Israel - he mourns for the inability of its people to see that their hope has come. They have collectively rejected the path to shalom to continue down the path to destruction.

Imagine yourself there with Jesus listening to him speak these words:

“How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes.”

Now contemplate these words from St. Augustine’s “Confessions:”

“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” 

Talk openly with Jesus about anything you are thinking or feeling.

Read Luke 19:41-44 again.

In just around 70 years from the day Jesus weeps over Jerusalem, the tension between the Israelites and their Roman oppressors will reach a fever pitch and Rome will lay siege to the city and destroy the temple within. Jesus grieves because the people of Israel have chosen the ways of the world over the ways of God’s Kingdom, and in doing so they have acted against their very design and calling.

When we reject God and choose to live our lives outside of God’s design for us, there are multiple levels to the consequences. Rebellion damages our souls and leads us into destructive behaviors. All of our relationships are affected – our relationship to God, our relationships with others, and even our relationship to ourselves. We lose our way and forget who we are when we forget Who’s we are. But we are not without hope.

The way of peace is in Jesus, and he longs for us to find our rest in him.

For the final moments of this time of meditation, get quiet and center yourself in the presence of Jesus. Don’t try to force anything – just be still and listen.

What is Jesus saying to you today?

What will you do about that?

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