As Christ was riding into Jerusalem, on the crest of Olivet He broke forth in uncontrollable grief, exclaiming in broken utterances as He looked upon Jerusalem: “If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.” He wept not for Himself, but for the despisers of His mercy, long-suffering, and forbearance. The course taken by the hardhearted and impenitent inhabitants of the doomed city is similar to the attitude of churches and individuals toward Christ at the present time. They neglect His requirements and despise His forbearance. There is a form of godliness, there is ceremonial worship, there are complimentary prayers, but the real power is wanting. The heart is not softened by grace, but is cold and unimpressible. Many, like the Jews, are blinded by unbelief and know not the time of their visitation. So far as the truth is concerned, they have had every advantage; God has been appealing to them for years in warnings, reproofs, corrections, and instruction in righteousness; but special directions have been given only to be disregarded and placed on a level with common things. {5T 258.1}

Da Kristus red ind i Jerusalem, på Olibjergets top, brød han ud i ustyrlig sorg, kom med udbrud, idet han så på Jerusalem: »Vidste blot også du på denne dag, hvad der tjener til din fred! Men nu er det skjult for dine øjne.« Han græd ikke for sig selv, men i hans barmhjertigheds, langmodighed og overbærenheds fortvivlelse. Denne fordømte bys hårdhjertede og forhærdede uvaner ligner menighedernes og enkeltpersoners adfærd over for Kristus nu. De forsømmer hans krav og foragter hans overbærenhed. Der er en formel gudfrygtighed, der er ceremoniel gudsdyrkelse og der er smigrende bønner, men den virkelige kraft mangler. Hjertet er ikke blødgjort ved nåden, men er koldt og uimodtageligt. Mange, ligesom jøderne, er forblindede af vantro og kender ikke tiden for deres hjemsøgelse. Så vidt det angår sandheden, har de haft alle muligheder, Gud har appelleret til dem i årevis, i advarsler, irettesættelser, rettelser og undervisning i retfærdigheden; men særlige anvisninger er kun blevet givet dem blot til ignoreren og sat på stade med almindelige ting.