If Only You Knew the Things That Lead to Peace

A reflection on what Jesus wants of his people.

Today’s passage begins with a donkey and ends with Jesus crying. There’s actually a lot going on in this passage. But let’s focus on Jesus’ observations over Jerusalem for today.

Jerusalem literally means “City of Peace.”

Take all the time you need to ponder the implications of that…from its founding, through all the wars and exiles, to Jesus’ time (and crucifixion on the city’s fringe), through the destruction of 70 AD, through the first few centuries AD, through the middle ages and crusades, through the 1900s, and up through today.

City of Peace, indeed.

And Jesus knew. He knew that the city had hardly ever been one of peace. And as he observed into its future, perhaps he could continue to see its destruction. Maybe he didn’t see the specific details of today, but he surely knows humanity and our desires.

Jerusalem was not and is not Babel, but it might as well be. Humans keep doing the same thing: build something impressive, defend it, call it peace. We “fight for” peace by constructing this or that system, this or that ideology, this or that state, and then blessing it with religious language.

Jesus has never asked for such things. His people ought to pay attention to what he does ask for. It’s not hard to understand the terms of what he asks. But all these other assumptions about the need to control and systematize…such a distraction.

With tears in his eyes:

If only you knew, on this of all days, the things that lead to peace.

—

So what does he ask for? He asks for a people. Not an empire. Not a program. Not even a “city” in the modern sense. A people who will recognize the things that make for peace. A people who will welcome the king who comes on a donkey. A people who will let their worship be louder than the stones. A people whose shared life becomes a sign of a different kingdom.

The task is not, “How do we get Jerusalem right?” The point is, “How do we become the community that actually lives the peace Jerusalem was supposed to name?” The city failed; the polis of Jesus doesn’t have to. The church is not called to baptize every violent project in history. The church is called to embody an alternative history.

So when Jesus weeps over Jerusalem, he’s not just sad about one city’s fate; he’s grieving the ongoing human refusal to receive peace on God’s terms. We like peace as victory, peace as dominance, peace as control. Jesus offers peace as presence, peace as mercy, peace as worship, peace as a house of prayer for all nations.

And then, as if to make the point, he walks into the temple and clears out the profiteers. Peace is not sentimental. Peace confronts. Peace makes room for prayer. Peace gives access to God. Peace refuses to let the holy place become another marketplace of power.

So: maybe the question for us today isn’t “How do we fix Jerusalem?” but “Are we willing to be the people who recognize the day of God’s gracious visitation…or will Jesus have to weep over us, too?”

Luke 19:29-48

As Jesus came to Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives, he gave two disciples a task. He said, “Go into the village over there. When you enter it, you will find tied up there a colt that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say, ‘Its master needs it.’” Those who had been sent found it exactly as he had said.

As they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?”

They replied, “Its master needs it.” They brought it to Jesus, threw their clothes on the colt, and lifted Jesus onto it. As Jesus rode along, they spread their clothes on the road.

As Jesus approached the road leading down from the Mount of Olives, the whole throng of his disciples began rejoicing. They praised God with a loud voice because of all the mighty things they had seen. They said,

“Blessings on the king who comes in the name of the Lord.
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heavens.”

Some of the Pharisees from the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, scold your disciples! Tell them to stop!”

He answered, “I tell you, if they were silent, the stones would shout.”

As Jesus came to the city and observed it, he wept over it. He said, “If only you knew on this of all days the things that lead to peace. But now they are hidden from your eyes. The time will come when your enemies will build fortifications around you, encircle you, and attack you from all sides. They will crush you completely, you and the people within you. They won’t leave one stone on top of another within you, because you didn’t recognize the time of your gracious visit from God.”

When Jesus entered the temple, he threw out those who were selling things there. He said to them, “It’s written, My house will be a house of prayer, but you have made it a hideout for crooks.”

Jesus was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests, the legal experts, and the foremost leaders among the people were seeking to kill him. However, they couldn’t find a way to do it because all the people were enthralled with what they heard.

Psalm 122

I rejoiced with those who said to me,
“Let’s go to the Lord’s house!”
Now our feet are standing
in your gates, Jerusalem!

Jerusalem is built like a city
joined together in unity.
That is where the tribes go up—
the Lord’s tribes!
It is the law for Israel
to give thanks there to the Lord’s name,
because the thrones of justice are there—
the thrones of the house of David!

Pray that Jerusalem has peace:
“Let those who love you have rest.
Let there be peace on your walls;
let there be rest on your fortifications.”
For the sake of my family and friends,
I say, “Peace be with you, Jerusalem.”
For the sake of the Lord our God’s house
I will pray for your good.

Prayer

God,

Thank you for reminders that life is good. When you made humanity, did you know we’d figure out how long it takes for the earth to circle the sun and then celebrate our own individual appearances with streamers, balloons, and cake?

Forty-five years old is neat. I’m grateful for it. And it’s really fun to celebrate it with my wife and all these kids. Thank you. I mean it.

Holy father of all creation, I see your loving justice in Jesus of Nazareth. By your Spirit, make me more like him.

In Christ,
Amen.