***
Gospel:
As Jesus drew near Jerusalem,
he saw the city and wept over it, saying,
“If this day you only knew what makes for peace–
but now it is hidden from your eyes.
For the days are coming upon you
when your enemies will raise a palisade against you;
they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides.
They will smash you to the ground and your children within you,
and they will not leave one stone upon another within you
because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”
***
For the last three years, Jesus has exercised his public ministry.
He’s forgiven sins, healed the sick, and even raised Lazarus from the dead. At one point, they crowds following him were so large they nearly trampled him to death.
But now his ministry is coming crashing to an end. He’s about to enter Jerusalem, the place where he’ll be killed.
From the very beginning, however, Jesus warned his disciples that this day was coming.
Now he’s just a week away.
***
Consider what that means.
***
For at least one thousand days, Jesus carried this knowledge in his heart that his public ministry will lead to his death.
And yet, he doesn’t turn away from it. He embraces it.
He perseveres to the end.
***
Perhaps this is why he says to us, “Come to me all you who labor and are heavy burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Jesus knows what it feels like to carry a heavy burden. He shows us how to persevere in times of trial through prayer and unrelenting confidence in his Father.
With Jesus by our side, we, too, can persevere through whatever life throws at us.
So, what burdens am I carrying that I might want to share with him?
***
Let us pray.
Father, we lift up all who find themselves heavy burdened this day. May they persevere like Jesus, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
