Luke 19:41-48

Introduction:

Jesus has arrived in Jerusalem with other pilgrims for Passover.

He has presented himself as Messiah and fulfilled Scripture.

The crowds around him have lauded him as Messiah and created a furore within the city.

People are asking about his identity.

The leaders of the Jews of all sects are ready to be finished with him.

Jesus will now do something profound.

As you survey the landscape of modern Christianity what motivates what people do?

Peace Misunderstood:

Luke 19:41–44 NA28

Καὶ ὡς ἤγγισεν ἰδὼν τὴν πόλιν ἔκλαυσεν ἐπʼ αὐτήν λέγων ὅτι Εἰ ἔγνως ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ταύτῃ καὶ σὺ τὰ πρὸς εἰρήνην· νῦν δὲ ἐκρύβη ἀπὸ ὀφθαλμῶν σου. ὅτι ἥξουσιν ἡμέραι ἐπὶ σὲ καὶ παρεμβαλοῦσιν οἱ ἐχθροί σου χάρακά σοι καὶ περικυκλώσουσίν σε καὶ συνέξουσίν σε πάντοθεν, καὶ ἐδαφιοῦσίν σε καὶ τὰ τέκνα σου ἐν σοί, καὶ οὐκ ἀφήσουσιν λίθον ἐπὶ λίθον ἐν σοί, ἀνθʼ ὧν οὐκ ἔγνως τὸν καιρὸν τῆς ἐπισκοπῆς σου.

Καὶ ὡς ἤγγισεν ἰδὼν τὴν πόλιν ἔκλαυσεν ἐπʼ αὐτήν

Notice that Jesus reacts in a way that seems incongruous with the situation.

People hail him as king, but Jesus weeps in an indication of sadness.

He understands that the people do not understand anything about what is going on or why.

They are blind to the truth.

λέγων ὅτι Εἰ ἔγνως ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ταύτῃ καὶ σὺ τὰ πρὸς εἰρήνην· νῦν δὲ ἐκρύβη ἀπὸ ὀφθαλμῶν σου.

Here is the critical statement.

Note the phrase “things associated with peace.”

Luke wants us to ask ourselves about the disconnect between Jesus and the people.

Jesus must have in mind peace with God. Note what the people said in Lk. 19:38.

ὅτι ἥξουσιν ἡμέραι ἐπὶ σὲ καὶ παρεμβαλοῦσιν οἱ ἐχθροί σου χάρακά σοι καὶ περικυκλώσουσίν σε καὶ συνέξουσίν σε πάντοθεν,

καὶ ἐδαφιοῦσίν σε καὶ τὰ τέκνα σου ἐν σοί, καὶ οὐκ ἀφήσουσιν λίθον ἐπὶ λίθον ἐν σοί, ἀνθʼ ὧν οὐκ ἔγνως τὸν καιρὸν τῆς ἐπισκοπῆς σου.

Jesus, yet again, speaks of the coming destruction of Jerusalem.

He relates it to their misunderstanding of the “things of peace.”

What is wrong here? Why does Jesus see a problem?

The events of the following day answer that question.

When Avoiding God’s Wrath Is the only Motivation, Anything Can Be Justified:

Καὶ εἰσελθὼν εἰς τὸ ἱερὸν ἤρξατο ἐκβάλλειν τοὺς πωλοῦντας

λέγων αὐτοῖς· Γέγραπται· Καὶ ἔσται ὁ οἶκός μου οἶκος προσευχῆς , ὑμεῖς δὲ αὐτὸν ἐποιήσατε σπήλαιον λῃστῶν.

A “cave of thieves” refers to the hideout or refuge used by men who had committed violent acts. It protected them from capture or the consequences of their actions.

Καὶ ἦν διδάσκων τὸ καθʼ ἡμέραν ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ. οἱ δὲ ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ οἱ γραμματεῖς ἐζήτουν αὐτὸν ἀπολέσαι καὶ οἱ πρῶτοι τοῦ λαοῦ,

καὶ οὐχ εὕρισκον τὸ τί ποιήσωσιν, ὁ λαὸς γὰρ ἅπας ἐξεκρέματο αὐτοῦ ἀκούων.

What does it look like when all people care about is warding off the wrath of God for themselves and others? This question runs throughout the Scriptures, and we have the ability to answer it quite clearly because of the evidence given.

Worship is seen as the most effective way of keeping God happy.

Things associated with worship, such as buildings or institutions, become venerated objects because they placate God.

In a twist of irony, when the overriding concern becomes keeping God’s wrath at bay, the pursuit of truth stops being a concern.Matters of the heart and the way people live their lives become devalued.

People love God and others less.

They only want to keep him happy.

Works must be emphasized.