Luke 19:41-48
In his trip to the Philippines, Evangelist Paul Mershon told me of the need of American missionaries to have a passion for the Lord, as well as the lost. Please tell them not to bring their culture of riches to our people, etc. We agreed that more often than not the passion is what is missing, the passion we once had for the lost, for the least, and for those who are little on the earth.
Many years ago, Matthew Henry said, “None are so blind as those that will not see.”
“I have but one passion; it is He, He only.” Count Nikolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf.
The word passion comes from the Greek word (pathos), meaning “affection.” Or, someone said, “a deep feeling with working results.”
There is a passion for good or evil as is evidenced by the fact that most men have more passion for a good football or baseball game, a game of golf, fishing, hunting, camping, and their jobs. They have a real passion for these things.
This passage covered only by Luke is full of prophecy and the compassion of Christ.
- The prediction of Jerusalem’s terrible fate
- The compassion of our Lord for those doomed for destruction
There are two other important teachings in this passage:
- It illustrates the truth of the Scripture and the prophecy fulfilled.
- It demonstrates that sin will always destroy a nation and be a reproach to any people.
The City, in spite of all that, was greatly loved by the Lord Jesus.
“Jesus wept” because they rejected the way of peace. In other words, they rejected the Messiah Himself. Another way of saying it is: They rejected the things which make for peace.
Peace in Greek is “Eirene: to bind together, to join with God and others.”
In Hebrew, “Shalom: Freedom from trouble, achieving the highest good and much more.”
There are two kinds of peace:
- Peace of the world—never a lasting peace.
- Peace with God—only Jesus can give that.
Things that bring peace are “hid from your eyes” with two meanings:
- They closed their eyes to Jesus and His message of peace.
- God counted Jerusalem as having lost its opportunity.
It was said in Moody’s day that he was the only man living who should preach on hell because he did it with such passion with compassion.
Jeremiah was the weeping prophet, yet he pronounced judgment on the nation because he loved them.
Some leaders thought that Jesus was Jeremiah.
I. NOTICE THE COMPASSION OF JESUS VS. 41-45
- He had a great love for the city.
- The terrible fate of the city.
- The cause of the city’s destruction.
Fulfilled by the Roman General Titus in 70 AD, and over 600,000 people were killed after the Jews revolted against Rome starting in 66 AD.
Think of it: The destruction of Jerusalem may have been avoided.
- Nineveh listened to Jonah and was spared.
- England listened to Wesley and Whitefield, and great revival spared them from the anarchy that came to France. England was given new prosperity and blessing.
So, “Jesus wept” over the city.
II. NOTICE ALSO THE CRY OF JESUS V. 46
They did not know that the rejection of the Saviour would mean the destruction of the City.
III. NOTICE THE COURAGE OF JESUS. VS. 47-48.
The people of Jerusalem missed their day of opportunity because they failed to see their day of visitation due to blindness and lack of passion.
Think about that for a moment, and do not reject Christ another day. This may be your day of visitation. Don’t miss the opportunity, and Christian, this may be your day of a new passion for the things of Christ.
Where’s the Passion?
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Hans Nikoley, GSBC Staff
Bro. Nikoley emigrated from Germany to the United States with his family at age 13. He served full time in the Nevada Air National Guard for six years. At age 32, He was saved, and in 1977, he graduated from Bible College. He pastored for over 31 years, 27 of them at Pomerado Road Baptist Church in Poway, California. Bro. Nikoley has served at Golden State Baptist College in the Bible Department and also as the Student Employment Director since 2007. He and his wife Mary have two children and have been married for 58 years.
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