“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” 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.” Luke 19:38-42 (NIV)
Lord Jesus, we live with a deep ache for peace—a longing for everything to be the way you designed things to be. Though we’ve found eternal peace in the gospel, we are still tricked into thinking a more tangible, satisfying, right-now peace can be found somewhere else. We get restless, and then foolish.
Some days we’re like children demanding 4 o’clock cookies before a 5 o’clock supper. Cravings and aches take over. Good longings and better judgment get sabotaged by smells and sights, and an irrational sense of need or entitlement.
Other days we get sucked into the world of “if only.” If only we were 25 years younger or 3 inches taller/shorter, or could have been born in a different era or a different family, everything would be okay. If only we had a different story, fewer hassles, or more friends; if only we could win the lottery, had never been hurt, were married/single, life would be great. And the list goes on.
But we hear you utter the only significant “If.” “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace.” Indeed, Jesus, you alone—this day and any day, are the Prince of Peace. Only in union and fellowship with you, do we find the true and sufficient peace for which we long
We join the chorus of those who cry out, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” for you, Jesus, are the king of glory and grace. Until the Day of quintessential peace, continue to fill and free our hearts with your peace. Replace our demandingness with gratefulness. All we really need is you plus what you choose to give us. So very Amen we pray, in your tender and triumphant name.