He (Jesus) came closer to the city, and when he saw it, he wept over it, saying, “If you only knew today what is needed for peace! But now you cannot see it!” Luke 19: 41, 42 (TEV)
Most often Jesus went about in His ministry doing what needed to be done: preaching the kingdom, healing the sick, showing grace and mercy to the sinner, etc. However, there were times when our wonderful, gracious Savior became overwhelmed by the emotion of it all. Luke 19:41, and 42 gives us a glimpse of such a moment. Jesus, knowing what lay before Him, and knowing the pain of those who were held captive to sin, wept.
I am having one of those moments today and I am comforted by the fact that my Jesus had them as well. It is good to know that I am not alone in this momentary despair. It has been one of those weeks. Our family found out this week that someone one of my daughter’s knows was found dead on the bathroom floor by his fiancé and her teenage brother. The fiancé and the brother seem to be handling the situation okay. According to the brother they are just “drinking the pain away.”
If you only knew today what is needed for peace! But now you cannot see it!
Last night my junior high school son was informed that a class mate of his was planning to bring a gun to school today after he had taken a beating in a phys. ed. class yesterday. Students were anxious, parents went into action contacting the school district and the police, and prayers were offered in our home at least. I heard there were many productive discussions between parent and child last night.
This morning some students stayed home, some arrived late and the campus had a different feel to it. Sheriffs were there to greet the students as they arrived and after everyone was there the campus was essentially locked down with security guarding the open entrances.
I know my son went to school this morning a bit more anxious just because of the heightened tensions and the new awareness of what could have happened. And he is wondering what makes another student say such a thing and possibly mean it. What emptiness or brokenness leads to such a threat?
If only you knew today what is needed for peace! But you cannot see it!
This morning after I dropped my son off at school, I passed a man in a car in oncoming traffic. It was 7 a.m. and he was stopped at a construction area. As I glanced in his direction I noticed that this man in his car at this time of the morning was sobbing. He was a middle-aged man and when he saw that I noticed him, he grabbed a tissue and immediately put it up to his face as if to hide. I have no idea what was going on in this man’s life. What would make a grown man sob so profusely?
If only you knew today what is needed for peace! But you cannot see it!
Today I am weeping for such as these who have yet to find peace. I pray that I will never stand in their way of finding the way to peace but that I will lead them to the Giver of Peace. Today I weep but even in my weeping may I be like Jesus and continue heading closer to those who need Him most.
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August 19, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Lynn Fontaine
I have lived in Orting about 1.5 years. I am 53 years old. My 5 children are mostly grown and I don’t see them much. I was diagnosed with a live threatening disease in 2002, seperated a year later, divorced in 2004. I have been alone since then. My old church (Methodist) feel apart (it’s in Renton and too long of a drive anyway). I am still a believer and God has helped me through many losses over the last 6 years. My only brother died less than a year ago. My daughter won’t talk to me and I don’t know why. I’ve just turned that all over to God. I struggle financially buy God has been faithful in meeting my needs. I have a little hobby of breeding Shih Tzu that fills my life in many ways as well as helps pay the rent and fills my days with joy also. I don’t date although I am still attractive but I don’t trust men due to my husband turning on me when I got sick. I’m afraid of living the rest of my life by myself but have realized that if that is God’s plan for me, so be it. I’ve made some good friends here in town but not many go to church. I’m even friends with the mayor, Cheryl Temple, a neighbor. Still, with all of this, I feel unsettled, like something is missing. It’s not easy for me to commit to go to church every week as I have good and bad days and I’m not always able to get out. I used to worry all the time but through all of this, if it’s more than I can deal with, I just turn it over to the Lord and say, Lord, I can’t deal with this anymore. I’ve done what I can do and now I’ll except your will. It’s worked out just how it’s suppose to work out. I have no family in town other than my daughter and her family who won’t talk to me. I just wanted to let you know a little about what I am going through. I’d like to come visit your church when you get settled again. Thanks!