Luke 23 v 28 – 31. Jesus turned and said to them “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, weep for yourselves and your children. For the time will come when you will say “Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breast that never nursed.

This is a very serious section of the account of our uncommon King’s journey to the cross. Jesus was not negating or rejecting the grief of the people who wept for him. Instead He was in this moment speaking in His role as our great Prophet ad prophesying an awful judgement that would come upon the city of Jerusalem.

Within 50 years this judgement fell. The Roman armies under Titus besieged Jerusalem. The inhabitants of the city suffered unspeakable suffering accompanied by famine and pestilence. At last the city fell and the Jews were scattered to all parts of the earth.

This is a good moment to remember that Jesus only offers mercy, forgiveness and hope to all. The truth is there are also judgements prepared for those who refuse to repent. It is true that Jesus delights in mercy. But with him there is justice as well as mercy.

The same Saviour who now holds out his hands to all who are weary, defeated and guilty, and offers them rest – will one day come to take vengeance on those who have rejected God and his gracious offer of salvation (2Thessalonions 1 v 7 – 8. With God there is judgement as well as mercy. That is what makes the good news, good news.

Meditation: You will only appreciate the good news if you know the bad news. Have you thought about that?