The Things That Make For Peace (Luke 19:42)

 


Saturday, April 5, 2025


Psalms 82; 84

Exodus 6:2-13; 6:28-7:7

Luke 19:28-48


The Things That Make For Peace (Luke 19:42)


When we speak of Jesus as King, we speak of things far greater than the Caesars or Hapsburgs of this world. Where mere men gain kingdoms by birth or conquest, our King’s rule comes from the greatest, holiest, most sacred of virtues.


Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem comes hot on the heels of his Parable of the Ten Minas, which as we reflected upon yesterday, was an application of the doctrine taught in Psalm 2. As King and Messiah, he now rides into his capital, and everyone around him is filled with the joy of the promises of scripture coming true before their very eyes. The whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, quoting Psalm 118:26.


One wonders if they knew what Jesus knew; if they had connected the dots of the ancient prophecies they were beginning to understand. The Psalm they quote speaks of the steadfast love of the Lord. (Psalm 118:1-4) It talks about how the Messiah will, in the name of the Lord, cut off all of their shared enemies. (vv. 5-13) The Psalm demands that the gates of righteousness be opened, that the Messiah may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord, riding as he is on a colt before their very eyes. (v. 19) And so they celebrate in the words “blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”. (v. 26)


At this point of the Psalm the joy is thick in the air, almost intoxicating in its exuberance. Immediately following are these words: “Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar.” (v. 27b)


The steadfast love of the Lord endures forever; the Messiah has entered the gates of righteousness. Seeing his city before him, he weeps, for if only they knew of the things that made for peace. Because the thing which makes for peace must be his death. Man and God are enemies, and the punishment for our rebellion is an eternity in that place where the worm always consumes and the fires never cease. But out of his steadfast love, the Messiah will suffer that punishment on behalf of his people, so that there may be peace in heaven and earth. Jesus will bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of altar, when he is nailed to the cross and offered up for our sin, once and for all. With tears in his eyes, he cleanse the temple, preparing it for the final sacrifice of himself.


Who is in authority in your life? By what right do they exercise that authority? How does Jesus’ right to authority define whose other authority you accept in your life?


Loving Lord, our King and our Messiah: your name is blessed. Teach us of your love for us, and to understand more of the things that make for peace.

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