Peace in Jesus, the True Jerusalem

Rev. Richard Mittwede, pastor at University Lutheran Church in Austin, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 19:41-48.

The joy surrounding Jesus’ ride toward Jerusalem contrasts with His weeping and lament upon seeing the city. Though Jesus enters the city to make peace between God and sinners, Jerusalem refuses to receive Him in faith. As they had rejected the proclamation of repentance by prophets such as Jeremiah, so they now reject Jesus. In the Old Testament, the Babylonians brought God’s judgment; now their judgment will come at the hands of the Roman army because they did not recognize the presence of God in Jesus. He proceeds to the temple, which He claims as His own house, the place where prayers for His mercy are offered. They have abused the true purpose of His temple; by His continued teaching in the temple during Holy Week, Jesus shows the good news that comes when God dwells among men and shows Himself to be the true temple. The building in Jerusalem has become obsolete because God dwells among us in Jesus.

“The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Account” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Luke. The Evangelist wrote his well-researched account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection so that Theophilus would have certainty concerning the things he had been taught. As we still read the Word of God recorded by St. Luke, our gracious Lord gives us that same certainty that Jesus is our Savior.