VISITOR
TEXT: [As Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday,] the whole multitude of His disciples began to rejoice and praise God … saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the Name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” … And when He drew near and saw the city, He wept over it, saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will … tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.” (Luke 19.37b-38, 41-43a, 44)
That must have been something to see – Jesus weeping over Jerusalem as His disciples rejoiced and praised God. Did they fall silent, wondering what was wrong?
Jesus’ own words tell us the problem: Jerusalem didn’t recognize her visitor. The people of God’s own capital city had no idea, most of them, that God Himself had come to visit. They let their last, best chance to welcome Him slip away.
And yet, all hope is not lost, for Jerusalem or for us. If God’s people would not welcome Him as King and God, they would crucify Him as Savior. God took advantage of that. Jesus’ willing death for us all means we have forgiveness, life, joy, and salvation. Jesus’ resurrection means that hope is never lost, for now that He lives forever, He is always with us – no longer a visitor, but our dearly loved King and Savior. We don’t suffer alone. And we will live with Him in His kingdom forever.
WE PRAY: Thank You for coming to us, dear Lord!
——————— Reflection Questions
• If Jesus came to visit your house, how would you prepare?
• How do you prepare for Communion?
• How does it change your suffering, to know Jesus is with you?
Responses