The Time of Visitation

“And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.” Luke 19:41-44

The city of Jerusalem had the opportunity to embrace her king, but her leaders did not recognize it. Jesus referred to this opportunity as “the time of thy visitation.” The promised Messiah, the Son of God, came and visited them. He walked with them, He taught them, and He performed miracles among them; but they never really understood what was happening. Multitudes did throng around Him, and they even went so far as to give Jesus a grand entrance into the city on His last visit there before His crucifixion, but the excitement quickly wore off. Within a short time, they were crying out for Him to be crucified. Of course, it had to happen that way in order for Jesus to be crucified. If He had not died upon the cross, our sins would still not be paid for. But Jesus wept over the people of the city in this passage because they missed their opportunity. God gives us opportunities every day to help those around us and to serve Him. Let’s be looking for those opportunities today and be ready to take advantage of each one!