Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/169



I. In  the  midst  of  His  triumph,  as  He  approached  the city, Christ  shed  tears  over  it. By this  act  He  convinces us that  He  was  not,  and  therefore  that  we  ought  not  to be,  transported  with  the  honors  which  we  may  receive. " If  riches"  or  honors  "  abound,  set  not  your  heart  upon them." (Ps. lxi.  n.)  His  charity  prompted  His  tears to flow  for  the  blind  stubbornness  of  the  Jews,  which  He foreknew  would  prove  their  ruin. He gave  us  an  example, too,  of  weeping  in  this  vale  of  tears. We read  of Him  that  He  wept  several  times;  but  the  Scripture  nowhere says  that  He  laughed. " Blessed  are  those  who mourn." (Matt. v.  5.)

II. Consider the  words  of  Christ  addressed  to  the  city: "If thou  also  hadst  known,  and  that  in  this  thy  day,  the things  that  are  for  thy  peace"  (Luke  xix.  42),  then  thou also wouldst  weep:  "For  the  days  shall  come  upon  thee, and  thy  enemies  shall  cast  a  trench  round  about  thee." Consider these  words  as  addressed  to  yourself. If you knew the  things  that  are  for  your  peace,  if  you  foresaw what temptations  would  assail  you,  what  crimes  you would commit,  and  into  what  misery  and  misfortunes you would  afterwards  fall,  you  also  would  shed  tears, and spend  the  present  time  more  profitably. Begin to do  so,  therefore,  and  fortify  yourself  in  such  a  manner that you  may  not  afterwards  be  overcome  by  your  spiritual enemies.

III. Christ assigns  this  to  be  the  cause  of  the  city's ruin:  "Because  thou  hast  not  known  the  time  of  thy visitation." (Luke xix.  44.)  Of  how  great  importance is it  that  you  should  know  when  Christ  visits  you  by