By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo
Luke:19.41-44 “As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace– but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.” (NIV)
It was Jesus’ last visit to Jerusalem. He had been around for three years, doing all the great things He did to demonstrate He was the expected Messiah. But the majority of His own people didn’t recognise Him as the Messiah sent from God to save them. God was in their midst. He had visited them in His mercy, to save and reconcile them to Himself, but they failed to discern God’s visitation to them. Their leaders ourightly rejected Him and mobilised the people to do the same. This was despite the fact that they were waiting for His coming! As a result, judgment was the only alternative.
God visits individuals, families, groups, communities or even whole nations of people in two ways. First, to show mercy, intervene and save His people. If they fail to recognise it over time, or take lightly, abuse and squander the opportunity of favour and mercy of God, He returns in visitation of judgement. And that’s dreadful! Various people are at different levels of the mercy – judgment trajectory. I pray each discerns where they fall and respond to God accordingly. And while there is still time to benefit from His great mercies and love in this dispensation of grace, please receive it.
Hebrews 2:2-4 “For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.”
Shalom children of God.