Thoughts for the Day

* The sacking of Jerusalem.

As Jesus came near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, ‘If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. Indeed, the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up ramparts around you and surround you, and hem you in on every side. They will crush you to the ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave within you one stone upon another; because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God.’

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

The first view I had of the city of Jerusalem was from the Mount of Olives. The 'Six Day War' had only just occurred and my first glance took in not the glorious view of the city, but the upturned graves on the hill below me. Distraught families were trying to lift huge stones to cover the graves that had been destroyed. However, a moment later I lifted my eyes to the city on the opposite hill, with its massive walls and gates and the golden dome of the Al-Aqsa mosque. Jesus would have seen instead the huge complex of the 2nd Temple and Herod's palace, in his day. But whether 2,000 years ago or now, the view is stupendous as you look across the Kidron valley to the 'City of David'.

Jesus and the disciples had travelled on foot from Galilee, and here they were at their destination. Jesus knows that his death approaches, and he foretells what will happen to the city. It brings him to tears that the leaders will not cease their intrigues. Although they are a subject nation the Romans allow them some latitude, particularly to do with their faith, yet still they plot rebellion and ignore Jesus' message. He prophesies that the city will be destroyed. As one theologian says "If they had abandoned their dreams of political power and taken the way of Christ it would never have happened". Jesus' words were to come to fruition some thirty years later in AD 70 when the Romans destroyed the entire city of Jerusalem and massacred its people.

We can look at Israel and think it sad that they didn't listen to Jesus, but equally we should just check that we too are not burying our head in the sand and failing to listen to Christ's message today!

Lord Jesus Christ,
teach us to listen to Your words
and not to think we can do better
than those who rejected You.
We may hear Your messages
but often we do nothing about them,
and can be as blind as those
who lived so long ago.
Help us to be aware that we have
our own individual part to play
in reviving Your church.
Amen.