WEEP FOR THE CITY

But as they came closer to Jerusalem and Jesus saw the city ahead, he began to cry. “I wish that even today you would find the way of peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from you. Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you. 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.” Then Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the merchants from their stalls. He told them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be a place of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”

Luke 19:41-46

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL LINK

Our Daily Bread - 10/04/06

When you look at ‘the city’ and see all the trouble, what is your response? When Jesus looked at Jerusalem, His heart was broken and “…He began to cry.” Being fully divine He knew the future. He knew what the days ahead would hold for them and He cried. Jesus told His disciples of the downfall of the city.

What is interesting is that Jesus did not turn away. He did not abandon the city which would surely fall. Instead He entered the city and “began to drive out the … thieves.” His compassion drove Him to action.

Is this your response when you look at ‘the city’? When you see the lost and hurting are you compassionate? Does your compassion drive you to action against those who are destroying ‘the city’? Or do you turn and walk away?

Jesus has given us a model to follow. He has given us a commission, “Go into all the world…” (Mark 16:15). That includes ‘the city’.