Rachel Klooster 0:09
Welcome to Elmhurst CRC's daily dose of the Word of God. It's Thursday, March 21, it's the season of Lent and we're walking with Jesus. I'm Billy Heschl, reading a Devo written by Rachel Klooster, and we're going to be reading from Luke 19: 40 through 44.
Rachel Klooster 0:28
Jesus said to the Pharisees, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!” But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes. Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you from every side. They will crush you into the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you did not recognize it when God visited you.”
Rachel Klooster 1:06
God visited me? When? When did it happen and I didn't recognize it? Sure, we weren't around for the first Palm Sunday - we didn't see Jesus as a man, flesh and bone. But, is God inviting us today and we aren't recognizing it as God?
Rachel Klooster 1:24
Did you see the beautiful sunset the other night? Maybe that was God showing us his beauty. Did you feel the soft hair of your cat and hear their gentle purring? Maybe that was God showing you comfort. Do you see the way your child smiled at you? Maybe that was God reassuring you that you're doing something right. Did you hear the words of encouragement from your close friend? Maybe that was God offering love and friendship. Has anyone texted you lately? Maybe that was God telling you that you are noticed. Has anyone said a kind word to you recently? Maybe that is God revealing a new way to peace.
Rachel Klooster 2:02
Let's pray. Lord Jesus, thank you for being God on earth. Holy Spirit, thank you for being God to us today. Father God, may we recognize when you're visiting us. Don't stop visiting us even when we may not acknowledge or recognize the visits are from you. Help us to see you in the goodness and peace that we experienced. In Jesus name, amen.