As we return to our study of Luke, we witness Jesus weeping over Jerusalem’s missed opportunity for peace and His subsequent cleansing of the Temple. We recognize that just as the ancient city faced destruction for failing to see God’s presence, we too can become so blinded by our daily routines that we overlook the path of peace in our own lives. We understand that our role as a community is to remove the unnecessary “hurdles” and barriers that make worship difficult for others, choosing instead a radical hospitality that welcomes the stranger and the hurting. By focusing on de-escalation in our personal lives and lowering the barriers in our spiritual community, we ensure that our “house” remains a true place of prayer and encounter for all.

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Welcome back! It is wonderful to be back with Rooted. Taking that break over the Christmas season is so important—even the most meaningful routines need a “Sabbath” now and then so we can return with fresh eyes and a full heart.

As we move out of our Advent devotional and back into the Gospel of Luke, we find ourselves in a heavy but vital passage. We are picking up right after the Triumphal Entry, where the celebration of Palm Sunday begins to meet the stark reality of what is to come.

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Tears for the City and Zeal for the House (Luke 19:41–48)

Let’s look at the text as Jesus approaches Jerusalem:

“As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, ‘If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes… they will not leave within you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God.’ Then he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling things… saying, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer’; but you have made it a den of robbers.”

The Prophecy of Destruction

Jesus looks at Jerusalem and weeps. He isn’t just sad; he is grieving a missed opportunity. He prophesies the literal destruction of the city—a prophecy that came true in AD 70 when Roman legions under Titus besieged Jerusalem, destroyed the Temple, and leveled the city.

This event was a massive turning point in world history, leading to the Jewish Diaspora where people fled to places like Baghdad, Tehran, and throughout Europe. Jesus saw this coming, and it broke His heart because they missed the “things that make for peace.”

Choosing the Path of Peace

Jesus’ lament serves as a challenge for us today. We often get so caught up in the mundane “patterns” of our lives that we miss the opportunities for peace right in front of us.

• When a conflict arises, do we choose to de-escalate or escalate?
• Do we seek the healthier, peaceful choice, or do we retreat into our old, defensive traditions?
• Are we so busy being “right” or “busy” that we miss God’s visitation in our daily lives?

Lowering the Barrier of Entry

After weeping, Jesus acts. He enters the Temple and drives out the money changers. It’s important to remember why this was so offensive: the religious system had turned worship into a business.

The money changers and animal sellers weren’t just “doing business”; they were creating hierarchies and obstacles. They made it expensive and complicated for the average person to encounter God. Jesus calls this a “den of robbers” because they were stealing the people’s opportunity to pray.

For us as a church—and for us as individual Christians—we have to ask: How high is our barrier of entry?

For someone who hasn’t been to church in years, or someone dealing with “church hurt,” stepping through those doors is already a massive hurdle. We don’t want to add to it.

• Hospitality matters: When someone looks lost, do we point them in a direction, or do we walk with them?
• Modeling matters: I still use my hymnal for the Creed—even though I know it by heart—because I want the person who doesn’t know it to feel like they belong and have a guide.

As we grow in 2026, let’s make it our mission to keep the “house of prayer” accessible to everyone.