Many people would like to think that Jesus never said harsh things about or to people, yet the desolations that He decreed against Jerusalem and the nation of Israel in Lk 13:34 kind of destroys that baseless view. The desolation was given in harmony with the same pronouncements from 600 years earlier in Daniel's final chapter. The desolation was given prophetically in response to the Jews rejection of their Messiah (cf. Jn 1:11).
But God, who is rich in grace and mercy, also promised a coming salvation for the Jews; a remnant of whom truly did believe (also as God had promised). But the time is coming when the nation will see Jesus as He is, and for who He is.
When they recognize Him as their Messiah, they will look on Him with grief and mourning, recognizing that it was their Messiah whom they pierced.
At that time, Jesus will redeem the nation and all of the OT prophecies concerning their King (David's son), and their prosperity, and their political status in the world, and their land (which was promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) will be fulfilled.
In the meantime, we who are gentiles are being given the opportunity to join in with the promises, having been grafted into their adoption as sons. We look forward to the time when the Jews, as a nation, will be grafted back in with us. God will make us into one body, having one baptism, and one Lord, by one Spirit (cf. Ephesians2-4).
Amen! Let it be so! |
