41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 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.
Ah, reader, Jesus poses a very good question for us as well – what is it that brings us tranquility, repose, calm, harmony, accord and well-being? What brings us an untroubled, undisturbed quality of life – even amidst the severe hardships and trials we are called to undergo? The New Testament Lexical Aids of the Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible gives us the following definition of the Greek word “Eirene” translated in the above verse as “Peace”:
“Such a state of peace is the object of divine promise and is brought about by God’s mercy, granting deliverance and freedom from all the distresses that are experienced as a result of sin. Hence the message of salvation is called the gospel of peace, for this peace can only be the result of reconciliation with God, referring to the new relationship between man and God brought about by the atonement.”
Peace, elusive to some yet offered to all, it is no wonder we find the Savior so sorrowful in our verses for today. When one knows what is best for a person yet they are not willing to accept it, it breaks your heart.
“It is the amazing folly of multitudes that enjoy the means of grace, that they do not make the most of the day of their opportunities. What will bring them peace is revealed to them, but is ignored by them; they hide their eyes from it. They are not aware of the accepted time and the day of salvation, and so let it slip and perish through mere carelessness. None are so blind as those who will not see. The sin and folly of those who persist in a contempt of gospel grace are a great grief to the Lord Jesus, and should be so to us. He looks with weeping eyes on lost souls, who continue unrepentant. He had rather that they would turn and live than go on and die, for He does not want any to perish.” Matthew Henry
Those who trust in the Lord enjoy a genuine and complete peace. The prophet Isaiah tells us:
3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
We are also told in Philippians:
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:7 (NIV)
This perfect peace is only obtained through our faith in Jesus who reconciles us to God through His work on the cross. Peter tells us:
34 Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. 36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. Acts 10:34-36 (NIV)
Revolutionary words at the time from Peter’s lips to the Jews and revolutionary words for us as well today - the good news of peace comes only through Jesus Christ who is Lord of all. Throughout history, man has been on a continual search for peace most often seeking it in all the wrong places! We erroneously assume that we will find lasting peace and contentment through wealth, prestige, fame or notoriety, status, possessions, family, friends, intellect, education, entertainment, substance abuse, work or whatever. The truth is that peace comes by being reconciled to God through the blood of Jesus. Jesus tells us:
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 (NIV)
The peace the world offers is no more than a band-aid to the gaping hole of our soul. After achieving whatever we have set out to achieve in our pursuit of peace, we quickly discover the lack of satisfaction, contentment and peace it actually brings. We find ourselves clamoring for more of whatever it is to quiet the raging soul. Jesus says, “Come to me”, Jesus says, “I will give you rest.” With Jesus, perfect peace is lasting.
“Every time you are in personal contact with Jesus, His words are real to you. ‘My peace I give to you...’ – a peace which brings an unconstrained confidence and covers you completely, from the top of your head to the soles of your feet. ‘Your life is hidden with Christ in God, and the peace of Jesus Christ that cannot be disturbed has been imparted to you.” Oswald Chambers
“Peace comes not from the absence of trouble, but from the presence of God.” Alexander Maclaren