A missed opportunity

 

 

Luke 19:41 But as they came closer to Jerusalem and Jesus saw the city ahead, he began to cry.

42 "I wish that even today you would find the way of peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from you.

43 Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you.

44 They will crush you to the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you have rejected the opportunity God offered you."

45 Then Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the merchants from their stalls.

46 He told them, "The Scriptures declare, 'My Temple will be a place of prayer,' but you have turned it into a den of thieves."

47 After that, he taught daily in the Temple, but the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the other leaders of the people began planning how to kill him.

48 But they could think of nothing, because all the people hung on every word he said. (NLT)

 

Jerusalem, the capitol city where the Temple stood. The place where God chose to be found for his people. Their Messiah was with them but they missed their opportunity to find their peace. Our own capitol city has many references to our founding fathers faith in God, but it too has turned away from their source of peace. Destruction is coming as the leaders plot to remove Jesus by mocking and killing him. The temple in Jerusalem became a place of commerce instead of a house of prayer. The focus was wrong, on outward things and not on the presence of God in their hearts. The people hung on every word that he said. Soon he was to be hung on a cross for them. They didn't want a Jesus who suffered and died. They wanted a Jesus of prosperity and power; they missed Jesus. A remnant believed in him and faith grew, his message has spred to every nation, many have come to him by faith. Do not miss your opportunity to receive Jesus as your way to God and eternal life. Destruction comes to a nation who turns from God. Turn back to Jesus and pray for your nation while there is an opportunity.

John 14:27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.