What Jesus Did! 'Rejected!' — Luke 19:41-44

Sunday, November 12, 2023

But as [Jesus] came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. "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. Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you from every side. They will crush you into the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you did not recognize it when God visited you."
— Luke 19:41-44 NLT

Key Thought

So often, we assume that if an opportunity is presented to us, then we will have many other chances to respond to the same opportunity. However, our experience eventually teaches most of us what God had tried to get us to see much earlier: We are offered but pass up opportunities, and then circumstance change so that those opportunities are never available in quite the same way again. Jerusalem stood on the brink of a change in its history. Accepting Jesus as the way to peace offered great opportunity. Rejecting Jesus as the way of peace led to the destruction that would follow. Unfortunately, this same rejection plays itself out repeatedly on a much smaller scale in the lives of so many people. They reject the way of the Lord in their youth, or in a time of rebellion, but perhaps think that they can later follow him whenever and however they may choose. While they may eventually come to the Lord, they will waste much time, and they will also forfeit much peace as the consequences of their rebellion and procrastination bring them heartache after heartache. However, some can have their hearts become so hardened that they never wish to come to the Lord. Let's live and act with great urgency in the lives of those we love and ask God to help us reach them for Jesus so their lives and their eternities will not be squandered on what is not peace!

Today's Prayer

Father, give me wisdom and "urgent patience" to know how best to share Jesus with those I love but who do not know him as their Lord. I do not want to rush them in ways that close their hearts to him. At the same time, dear Father, I don't want to be lackadaisical in my approach to them either. Help me be a peace-bringer as I seek to share the Lord. In Jesus' name, I ask it. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Matthew 5:9
  • John 14:27-29
  • Philippians 4:4-7

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Illustration

Illustration of Luke 19:41-44 NLT — "How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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