By Nora O. Lozano
“As he 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 … and they will not leave within you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God.’” – Luke 19:28–48, NRSV
These 20 verses are full of contrast: the excitement of the people as Jesus entered in Jerusalem, Jesus’ anguish and compassion over the people, and Jesus’ enemies trying to find a way to kill Jesus and His message.
As we read the story, where do I/we find ourselves? Are we like the ones in the triumphal entry, worshipping Jesus, but without recognizing His true message? Are we like Jesus’ enemies who were trying to disappear His message? Of course, we probably we do not do this overtly, but we need to honestly ask ourselves, “Are my actions and words promoting Jesus’ message? Are we like Jesus’ willing to suffer and die to bring true peace, God’s peace, to human beings?”
In this passage, Jesus weeps over Jerusalem and its people because they could not recognize the time of God’s visitation, neither what could bring them true peace. If Jesus were among us today, would He be weeping because we, like the people of Jerusalem, are unable to recognize the sign of the time? Would Jesus weep over our lack of action to promote His message?
The story in the Bible happened centuries ago, and it cannot be changed. However, we are in the process of writing our story. Let’s ask God to open our eyes so that we may recognize the sign of the time and how God is visiting us today. Furthermore, let’s ask God for open eyes and clear ways to join God and Jesus in their goal to bring true peace to the world—a peace that is full of love, justice and compassion.
Is this hard? Is this risky? Of course it is. However, we are not left alone with this Godly task. We have access to the Holy Spirit’s presence, help and empowerment to be Jesus’ true witnesses and full collaborators in God’s work on this earth.
Prayer: Dear God, help us to recognize the sign of the time and our true role in the story. Are we, covertly, being an obstacle to Your plans? Or are we open and willing to be empowered by the Holy Spirit to be Your true followers and promote Your peace that is full of love, justice and compassion? Please help us to be Your true followers and live according to Jesus’ example.
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This passage is originally found in the 2026 Emmanuel McCall Lenten Devotional series, prepared by Cooperative Baptist Fellowship family and friends. Register to receive the daily devotional here.