February 14, 2009 - The King Of Jerusalem

Meditation on Luke 19

Chapter nineteen demonstrates the authority of Jesus as the Messiah King. He granted salvation to the chief tax collector, Zacchaeus. (v. 9) He hinted from the parable of the Minas that the King will demand His servants to be productive. He gave them a mina and said to them, "Do business till I come." (v. 13 NKJV) He demanded to ride on a colt into Jerusalem as a king of peace. And the people honor him as such. They cried out, "Blessed is the KING who comes in the name of the LORD! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" (v. 28-38)

But Jesus wept over Jerusalem as He drew near it because he knew that the people there did not really know they were visited by the KING OF KINGS. (v. 41-44) He predicted that Jerusalem would be completely destroyed. But we thank God that Jesus will bring in the New Jerusalem from heaven as it is recorded in Revelation 20:2, 10.

After Jesus went into the temple of Jerusalem, He again showed His authority by cleansing the temple and drove out those who bought and sold in it. He said, "My house is a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves." (v. 46)

The religious leaders later questioned His authority. (Luke 20) Though Jesus did not answer them, those of us who know him as the King of the universe should pay attention to His demand as recorded in this passage.