"41 Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, 42 saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, 44 and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.” Luke 19:41-42.
As He approached the city of Jerusalem for the last time before His crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus wept over it. The Greek word for weeping means intense sobbing. It is the kind of weeping that suddenly seizes you that you lose control and cry out loud, like a child. Jesus wept over the city because the people weren't ready to receive Him. They claimed to love God but rejected His salvation. He was weeping over the tragedy of a lost opportunity. The people of Jerusalem and other Jews that were in the city for the Passover missed the opportunity to be saved from both earthly and eternal damnation. They were visited by their Saviour, but they did not know it. Instead of receiving Him, they crucified Him, like a common criminal. Jesus was weeping because He is not willing that any should perish. But they rejected His salvation! The Messiah came to their city, but they would not accept Him! By rejecting Jesus, the people of Jerusalem rejected God’s visit. The city of David missed her day of divine visitation. Jesus’ tears flowed over the consequences of their decision.
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” Matthew 23:37.
When Jesus came to His people, they rejected Him. He was from the tribe of Judah and the House of David, the beloved King of Israel. Yet they deliberately chose a criminal over Him. Jesus wept because He can see ahead to what will happen to the beloved Jerusalem. In the next few days, He will be arrested, ridiculed, beaten, humiliated, unjustly sentenced and crucified outside the city. The Saviour wept because He could see the future of the people of Jerusalem and the city.
The name "Jerusalem" means "city of peace." But peace has eluded the city for ages. What a tragedy! In AD 70, roughly 40 years after the death and resurrection of Jesus, the Romans invaded and conquered the city. They encircled the city with a wall to cut off supplies to the city completely and thereby driven the people to starvation. Jerusalem was encircled so none can escape. The Romans slaughtered thousands. Thousands more were enslaved, and others were dispersed to arenas throughout the Roman Empire to be hunted for the amusement of the public. The magnificent Temple was destroyed by the Romans as Jesus had prophesied. Not one stone was left upon another, and the city was burned to the ground.
TIME OF VISITATION:
“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people," Luke 1:68.
He who has the Key of David was standing right in front of them, and they missed it. For centuries, they cried out for peace, but when the Prince of Peace came, they rejected Him. Right from the time of prophets Isaiah, Daniel, and Micah, His ministry was foretold. The Jews should have been anticipating, ready and prepared for Jesus' coming. But when He finally showed up, they did not believe Him. Many catastrophes could have been averted if only the people of Jerusalem paid attention to the Savior. Many a heartache could have been avoided, if only they recognized the time of their visitation. Many tears could have been prevented if the Jews present in Jerusalem recognize the presence of their Saviour.
Divine visitation is when divinity brings us into a personal encounter with His presence and/or power. When God decides to visit a person, group or nation, He can come directly; or indirectly by sending His servants. Such visitations are always for a purpose. Divine visitation will lead to a turning point. It brings joy to those in need. Divine visitation brings fulfilment of prophecies. No individual, family, organisation, church or nation will encounter a divine visitation and remain the same.
Do you need a divine visitation today, this month, this year? Everyone has a time of visitation. Are you hungry for an encounter with the Messiah? Have you been like Jerusalem, avoiding His presence? Have you grown cold toward the Lord? In Revelation chapter three verse twenty, Jesus says He’s already at the door of your life ready to visit you. He wants to come in and transform you. The Son of God wants to come in and change your life. But if the door of your heart and life is not open to Him you will miss your seasons of divine visitation. So why not open wide the door of your heart to Jesus today, so He can come in and visit you with His salvation, deliverance, healing, restoration and full redemption package. Has God been calling you to respond to the call to ministry? Heed the call. To some, it's a time to get closer to the Lord. Don't delay! Nobody has forever to respond. This is your season of divine visitation! Today's your day of salvation. Respond to the call of salvation now for you don’t know what tomorrow may hold. Be saved before it's too late.
DAY OF SALVATION:
"For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." 2 Corinthians 6:2.
Jesus' story did not end in Jerusalem. Though He was humiliated, persecuted and crucified. But on the third day, He rose from the grave. He is right now at the right side of God, interceding and waiting for His Second Coming. When Jesus comes again, He will bring justice to this world. So are you ready for the Second Coming? Every person is going to spend eternity somewhere. Your time here on earth is to decide where it will be. Don’t procrastinate! Come to the Saviour today. Hell is a real place. But you don't have to end up there! God's prepared a better place for you. Will you prefer an eternity in Heaven or eternal damnation in hell? Will you come to Christ now? Or will you miss your opportunity? Will you say, as Felix once said to the apostle Paul, “when I have a convenient season”? Today's your day. Acknowledge your sin. Ask for forgiveness, and trust Him as your Savior. Tomorrow may be too late. You don't have forever to respond. Accept Jesus' invitation today. Kindly say this prayer: O LORD, I come to You. I know I am a sinner, forgive me. Jesus, from today, I accept You as the LORD of my life. Change my heart from a disobedient heart to a heart that will obey You. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, write my name in the Book of Life, and make me brand new in Jesus' name. Amen!
PRAYER POINT:
1. Thank you, Father, for Your saving grace.
2. O Lord, help me to discern your ways and to be sensitive to your presence.
3. Father, empower me through your Holy Spirit to stand firm in the faith, in Jesus' name.
4. Thank you, Father, for answering my prayers.
