Have you ever just wanted to cry over what might have been if people would just listened to Jesus? Human hearts can be hard and unwilling to listen to the Truth. During these times, we cannot take things as a personal rejection when others don’t want to hear our concerns; free-will is powerful and we all get to choose our path. People have the freedom most of the time to decided what they want whether it is spiritual, emotional, or physical.
We can choose to live righteously and embrace Wisdom or foolishly and reject the Truth. Jesus experienced rejection from his fellow Hebrew people, the religious leaders, his disciples, his family, his friends, and his world; yet, he stayed the course in courage as he trusted Father God. However, Jesus did weep over what might have been if people would have desired a relationship with God that was based on Truth. Let’s not forget, Satan, the spiritual deceiver was present then, just like now.
In our passage from Luke, today, Jesus has made his triumphal entry. Almost everyone was excited to see him approaching Jerusalem—everyone except the Pharisees (Lu19:39). God had such wonderful blessings planned for his people; the opportunity to draw near, be forgiven from sin, and taste the power of supernatural and holy grace. When Jesus thought about the deliverance and peace God wanted to extend to Israel through their Messiah, he broke down and cried for their loss. His tears were not a sign of weakness or a lack of faith; rather, Jesus cried because he knew what their hard hearts would cost them. I treasure this picture of Jesus weeping because he loves the world and wants to spare all his creation the sorrow we tend to bring upon ourselves.
Jesus left and headed for the Temple; he had a holy anger rise up in him, because the very shepherds who were to teach his people the Truth were themselves deceived to the will of God. At the Temple, Jesus cleared out that which was false and misleading and began to teach the Truth…
Luke 19:41-44 NLT Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem
41 But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. 42 “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes. 43 Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you from every side. 44 They will crush you into the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you did not recognize it when God visited you.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for this lesson, today. Lord, many times we weep for others and feel angry at the work of Satan to destroy lives. Yet, we are not powerless as we travail in prayer and place our faith in your ability to save. Give us courage and strength of faith each day. Help us to be more than conquerors in our Christ. We want to be your sons and daughters who live and speak the Truth in love. Holy Spirit, be our Helper. In Jesus’ name. Amen.