3.04.25 Luke 19:28-44

Prepare 

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple. We seek the Lord our God; with all our heart; with all our soul; with all our mind and with all our strength. Let’s seek him now. 

Read 

19:28-44 

Reflect 

Again, a story that I have heard many times before and it is still amazing when you study a part of the Bible again it brings new insight. It was this part of verse 41 that really caught my attention. ‘When he [Jesus] saw the city, he began to weep.’ In the next verse Jesus tells us that if only the Pharisees knew what peace he would bring, things would be so different.  

Are we sometimes like the Pharisees? We know and have heard some many times that Jesus can bring us and our community peace, yet we are often in denial or think we know best.  

If we changed the verse 41 to the present tense: ‘Jesus is weeping over Epsom and Cheam.’ What does this say about Jesus’ love and compassion for where we live and for us. And then for verse 42: ‘I wish Epsom and Cheam would know today what would bring them peace.’  

Be 

Where do we go to seek peace, to seek a fix? Is it your phone? Your favourite food and/or drink? Maybe it’s the garden or the local park (and these are great peaceful places)? Jesus is crying out that we should come to him. 

Become 

Sing or say this repeated prayer as a persistent call for peace: 

Peace to you 

We bless you now in the name of the Lord 

Peace to you 

We bless you now in the name of the Prince of Peace 

Peace to you 

Peace to you 

Do 

Our families, friends, workplaces, communities and nation are crying out for peace. People are looking for a peacemaker and many are looking in the wrong place. We all need Jesus. Let’s pray now that they find the Prince of Peace.  

Practice 

Why not try a prayer walk. Make yourself a mug of coffee and walk around your local streets praying you’re your neighbours, schools, shops and churches. That they would all find peace in Jesus.