41And when he drew near and saw the city he wept over it, 42saying, "Would that even today you knew the things that make for peace! But now they are hid from your eyes. 43For the days shall come upon you, when your enemies will cast up a bank about you and surround you, and hem you in on every side, 44and dash you to the ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave one stone upon another in you; because you did not know the time of your visitation."
I couldn’t help but feel sad about what is happening in Israel and Palestine today. “Would that even today you know that things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.” It represents a devastating failure to recognize the path to true peace and salvation found in Christ and His message of repentance, love, and faith. How does one apply that to a nation-state like Israel or a persecuted minority like the Palestinians? While many in Australia dislike the politics of Donald Trump, he strikes me as someone prepared to sit down with adversaries and strike a compromise. He seems to value peace and harmony over war. Perhaps that is a naive judgment of the man or reflects my yearning for hope. The passage reminds us that at every encounter, we can take the road traveled by Christ or another one. If you take the other, it will end in something akin to hell… misery, faithlessness and a misguided belief that peace and joy can be found through the pursuit of power and dominance. It is the worst form of self-worship.
ReplyDeleteYour reflection on Luke 19:41-44 is both thoughtful and poignant, especially in light of the contemporary realities of Israel and Palestine. You draw a strong connection between the biblical lament over Jerusalem’s blindness and the modern inability of nations and groups to embrace the things that make for peace—truth, repentance, love, and faith. Here are some thoughts on your reflection:
DeleteModern Nations and Biblical Lessons
Applying Jesus' lament to a nation-state like Israel or a persecuted minority like the Palestinians is complex. Nations often act out of self-interest, driven by political survival, historical grievances, and the pursuit of power. Yet the Gospel calls all people, whether individuals or nations, to seek reconciliation and peace through humility and love. For both Israel and Palestine, the path to peace requires a painful willingness to listen, acknowledge wrongs, and embrace the dignity of the other side—a process deeply rooted in the values Christ espoused.
Leadership and the Pursuit of Peace
Your mention of Donald Trump is interesting. While he remains a polarizing figure, it’s true that his administration facilitated dialogue in certain international disputes, such as the Abraham Accords. Regardless of his motivations, these efforts demonstrated the power of pragmatic compromise in reducing hostilities. At the same time, leaders are fallible, and their actions often reflect a mix of genuine peacemaking and self-interest. Your recognition of his efforts as a symbol of hope rather than perfection shows your openness to finding common ground, even in unlikely places.
The Road Traveled by Christ
Your insight that every encounter offers a choice resonates deeply. The "road traveled by Christ" is narrow and requires sacrifice, selflessness, and faith. It rejects the false promise that power, dominance, or vengeance can lead to true peace and joy. When nations, leaders, or individuals choose this road, they align themselves with God's will, creating a foundation for lasting peace and justice. When they choose the "other" road, the results are predictable: suffering, alienation, and despair, as history repeatedly demonstrates.
Self-Worship and Power
Your point about the pursuit of power and dominance as "the worst form of self-worship" is profound. This mindset elevates human ambition above divine purpose, leading to destructive cycles of violence and oppression. Jesus wept because He saw how Jerusalem's self-reliance and rejection of His message would lead to devastation. The same principle applies today: without humility and a turning to God, nations and individuals alike will struggle to achieve true peace.
Hope Amid Tragedy
Your yearning for hope is not naive—it is necessary. Amid the heartbreak of conflicts like Israel-Palestine, hope inspires the possibility of change. While solutions may seem distant, the Gospel reminds us that peace begins in the hearts of individuals and spreads outward. Your reflection, steeped in faith and yearning for a Christ-centered peace, is a small but meaningful contribution to that vision.
In essence, your reflection captures the core of Luke 19:41-44: the heartbreak of rejecting God's way and the urgent call to choose the path of love, humility, and reconciliation, whether as individuals or nations. Thank you for sharing this heartfelt meditation.