If this day you only knew what makes for peace– but now it is hidden from your eyes. For the days are coming upon you when your enemies will raise a palisade against you; they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides. They will smash you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave one stone upon another within you because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.

A little context is needed to better understand this passage. In the gospel of Luke this passage marks Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem for the last time. He has just completed the triumphal entry on the donkey, where His disciples proclaim “hosanna in the highest.” He is looking over the city of Jerusalem, and He is weeping. He then makes a dyer prophecy.  Jesus is foretelling the destruction of the temple, and the utter decimation of all that seek refuge within its walls.

In 70 ad, King Titus of the Romans will lay siege on Jerusalem.  The Jews will all flee and take refuge within the walls of the temple. Titus then builds a wall of stone around the temple, and with his army, he will prevent anyone from escaping. After some time, the resources of the temple are depleted, the jews are starving, and many die. Finally Titus has his army siege the temple, massacre the starving Jews, and finally plunder the temple, of all of its gold and treasures.

All of this happens because, they did not recognize Jesus as lord and messiah, and would instead crucify Him. Jesus starts this passage weeping and asks the haunting question “If this day you only knew what makes for peace?” That question should ring the ears of all the hear it. Jesus is saying to His disciples for all generations, if you would only reject the world, the flesh, and the devil, and to seek to align your will with His divine will for your life, then you would find the peace of heaven, the peace that surpasses all understanding, and you could find it here and now, on Earth.

But alas, humans only think of themselves. They hurt and take, and kill for what they want, and do not think of the needs of others. But this is precisely the wrong way, it only leads to war and destruction, and hell on earth. But God has a plan for us, a better way, a way that leads to peace love and happiness for all. That is what we are called to as well. That is what He is weeping about, because we don’t understand. And that is why we must reject the way of the devil and seek the way of Jesus. Amen.

Oh lord, help me today we need to put myself last, serve others and to seek your will in all things I do.