Wednesday, March 29: Luke 19- Each person has a choice.

Reading Luke’s account of Jesus’ triumphal entry I recognized a foreshadowing of life at the end of days when Jesus returns to this world as King of kings and Lord of lords.

According to Luke, as Jesus entered Jerusalem the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:  “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” (37-38).

However, many do not join in this praising of Jesus. At the conclusion of the account Jesus speaks judgment over Jerusalem saying, “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” (42-44).

The sad truth is when Jesus returns people will either receive Him with joy and praise or they will be judged and destroyed. Earlier in this chapter, in the parable of the 10 minas, the newly crowned king punished those who opposed him in the final sentence of that parable. But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me (27).

No one likes to think about the punishment that will be handed out at the end when Jesus returns but it is part of the NT. As we say in the Apostles’ Creed, “He will come again to judge the living and the dead.”

The only way to escape the coming judgment is to be a disciple of Jesus. The praises we offer Jesus now will be amplified as all his disciples praise him at His return and then continually into eternity.

So Jesus places a questions before us. Will we join the ‘whole crowd of disciples?’

It’s your choice… choose wisely!

Lord Jesus, I have made my choice. I will follow You. Lead and direct me in Your service.  I pray in Your name, Jesus. Amen.