A Spectacular View

Luke 19:28-40

Last week, I had the privilege to hike up to the highest point of the Shenandoah National Park alongside my adult children.  It took some effort to get there but each step of the way was filled with anticipation of what we would see from the peak.  I can assure you that once we got there, we took time to soak in such a spectacular view that even pictures couldn’t capture what it was like.  It was the kind of viewpoint that will humble a person and give them a greater sense of wonder.

In our text this week, we see mention of other spectacular views.  Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem which he approaches from the mount of Olivet.  In my ESV Study Bible there are notes that say the place where Jesus was positioned on that mount was visited often by Him and His disciples as it provided a spectacular view of the temple mount.  Certainly, they would spend some time once again to take it all in.  As Jesus made His way down the mount, the crowd of followers around Him could have missed a more spectacular view but they didn’t.  They were gazing upon their long-awaited Messiah in whom they had already seen mighty works.  Now they couldn’t help themselves, they had to exclaim praise to God for the Messianic King who had come to them as promised.  Jesus is ready for them to recognize this truth about Him and says that even if they were silent then the very stones would have cried out in praise.

None could imagine what would happen next as they would watch their Hope from heaven submit Himself as a Suffering Servant to be crucified within the week.  For them, it would be so confusing but later it would be known by many that this was one of the most spectacular views we have of Jesus as our Savior.  His passionate purpose led Him to submit to horrendous suffering and the heart wrenching pain of death.  All of it to reveal the greatest love the world will ever know by the King who conquered sin and death so that those who trust in Him can and will have eternal life in His Kingdom.  What a spectacular view God has given the world of the Peacemaker and High King of heaven!  

For us today, it still gets so confusing as to why things happen.  We are too easily distracted from seeing God while we peek about continuously lured by worldly views.  But God invites us to the most spectacular view that was ever provided in the perfect life of Jesus Christ and His finishing work.  It’s Gospel Good News for all the world!  Instead of doomscrolling through life, we should seek the best viewpoint.  Let us be a church that fixes our attention once again on the most alluring view of all in the Founder and Finisher of our faith.  As we take the time to soak it in, may we be people that are humbled and filled with wonder while we await the promised return of our Righteous Redeemer and Glorious King Jesus.  May our very hearts cry out in praise and may our lives be transformed to be primarily about His Kingdom!

Grateful and hopeful in Christ, 

Jon