Dear Christian friends:


"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—but now it is hidden from your eyes." (Luke 19:41-42)

Jesus wept because men did not know the things that make for them peace, satisfaction and happiness.

Palm Sunday they hailed Him as a King but only a King like others to free them from Rome. It was like that when He fed the five-thousand. The same danger is in America today. Many earthly things are very important to us.

Interest in reduced taxes, lower prices, higher wages, larger savings, more comforts, end of the war in Viet Nam and other places. Okay, but will we be satisfied with this? Many go to church and pray only because they are afraid and want these things.

Many rich and popular and comfortable people are not satisfied and happy. There are many divorces among the rich and famous as well as suicides. Nothing satisfies the needs of man's soul except in God Himself, Jesus the King of Kings, whose death we remember this Good Friday.

Even the one thief who repented and asked Jesus to remember him was satisfied although he still hung on a cross suffering terrible pain of body and much shame from passers by. When Jesus promised today you shall be with Me in paradise He was satisfied and happy.

But Jesus sorrows when men are satisfied only with earthly things and see not the true riches of God in Jesus Christ. He knows the terrible end of those who refuse to believe in Him and accept the peace of God.

Text: Jerusalem city destroyed is symbolic of hell. Maybe many did repent after God took away their things and toys and comforts. Must God do that to us here in America too? He does not because He is angry but to awaken us from sleep.

Jesus sorrows when sinners do not change and believe, but He is happy and satisfied when they do. Happy about the dying thief. Happy about the 3,000 on Pentecost. Happy about the millions during the past 2,000 years who have found peace and joy in Him.

How about you? Are you satisfied and happy in Jesus or is your happiness and satisfaction more in money and all earthly things?

If you are happy in Jesus you will be happy when others turn from unbelief and doubt to faith. This will give you the greatest joy now and also in heaven. "I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." (Luke 15:7)

But also you will be sad and sorrowing when you see many, many, also deaf, who still love things and do not yet have the peace of God in Jesus. Like Jesus you will weep about them and pray for them and seek to win them for Him.

Amen.