A very sobering account is recorded in Luke 23:28-31 that has great significance for us today. Let's examine this portion of Scripture and glean the critical warning which the Holy Spirit would have for us in this hour.

 

Luke 23:28-31 says - "But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck. Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us. For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?"

 

This incident is not recorded in the Gospels of Matthew nor Mark. Here we have the Jerusalem women weeping for the Son of God as He suffered to make an atonement for the sins of the world. Actually, in the work of redemption, He was very alone. He suffered alone. In the work of redemption, He had no helper.

 

He looked upon these women with compassion and did and said something very strange. He directed their tears from Himself onto themselves. He didn't need their tears. They did - for the horrendous calamities that were about to come upon them in the near future. Because their nation rejected the Living Son of God as their Messiah and Redeemer, they were about to experience one of the greatest desolations from the beginning of time. The Jewish state would be speedily destroyed by the Romans.

 

The distress would be so horrible that every Jewish mother - who at one time considered barrenness a misfortune and having children as a great blessing - would live to say - "...Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck..." The reason being is that they would see their children starved to death for lack of bread or be killed by the sword. As horrible as it may seem - these mothers would be tempted to eat their own children. In fact, it is recorded by Josephus, the great historian, that a rich and noble woman by the name of Mary was stripped of all that she had so she killed her own child, dressed it, and then ate part of it. The other part happened to be found by the soldiers who broke in upon her.

 

Titus - the Roman leader at the time - encompassed the city of Jerusalem - making it literally impossible for any citizens to come out for provisions. Resultantly, a sore famine commenced. People were forced to eat their own dung, shoes, girdles, children, and the dirt.

 

The people were forced to run hither and thither looking desperately for shelter of some sort. The misery was inexpressible and intolerable. Within, they faced murderers and robbers; without, they encountered the enemy and the sword.

 

It wasn't any wonder that these people desired to be buried alive under the ruins of the mountains and hills surrounding Jerusalem than to live in such distressful times or to fall into the hands of such ruthless enemies. Their constant cry to the mountains and hills was - "Fall on us...cover us." Death was a welcomed guest into their lives.

 

Then Jesus ended his final instruction with this striking and thought-provoking question - "...For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?"

 

This question can be taken several different ways.

 

1) If such injustice(the crucifixion) against an innocent man - Jesus - was occurring during a time of peace, what could be expected in a time of war?

 

2) If they could not believe, receive, and serve the Savior and Messiah in a time of peace, what would they do in a time of tribulation? Who would be their leader then?

 

3) The crucifixion is a terrible sight for you to see. You are weeping to behold it. But why aren't you weeping for your own sins which caused such cruelty and death?

 

4) You have rejected and crucified the Lord of Glory. He was God's gift of salvation for you - His Perfect Lamb. He was "the green tree" - bringing life to all. What will God do to you now that you have corrupted yourselves through your sin and made yourselves "a dry tree" - ready for the fire?

 

We all know that "green" wood naturally resists the fire - it is hard to burn. Hence, it represents the innocent. On the other hand, the "dry" wood attracts the fire - it kindles easily and burns rapidly. It is a symbol for the guilty.  

 

 

 

If such a horrible incident of injustice happened to the Perfect Lamb of God - as "a green tree" - and He was innocent - what will happen to you if you are a rejector of God - as "a dry tree" - and fit for His terrible wrath and judgment?  

 

 

Perhaps you need to pray as St. Augustine prayed - "Lord Jesus, give me the grace of tears." 

 

As Whitfield said - "...your immortal souls are on the verge of destruction, and for ought you know, you are hearing your last sermon, and may never more have an opportunity to have Christ offered to you."

 

We leave you with our opening quote - "If such sufferings alight upon the innocent One, the very Lamb of God, what must be in store for those who are provoking the flames?"

 

Connie

 

 

WALKING IN TRUTH MINISTRY 

P. O. Box 383016

Duncanville, TX. 75138-3016

 

Copyright 2006 by Connie Giordano