Jesus Wept

Luke 19:36-44 “As He was going, they were spreading their coats on the road. As soon as He was approaching, near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen, shouting: “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.” But Jesus answered, “I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!” When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you, and surround you and hem you in on every side, and they will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”

Last Sunday, I was back up at my father’s church and celebrated the Palm Sunday worship service at the Little Church in the Pines (The Lighthouse on the Lake) with him. Pastor Rolff explained that Palm Sunday’s triumphal entry was about “Jesus is coming”. The crowds shouted “Hosanna”, which is translated “save new”, with joy and celebration in a “red carpet” treatment for the promised Messiah of God’s arrival.

But, why did Jesus weep? Because, the Lord knew the future; that they would not accept the true Messiah and that the offer of salvation would be rejected. The people praised Jesus on Palm Sunday’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem as a warrior Messiah. In doing so, they were choosing to follow self and continue in the darkness of sin; choosing death instead of life. Romans 10:21 But to Israel he says: “All day long I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and contrary people.” Jesus wept because of those who would never understand why He came. Jesus came in love as a willing sacrifice for all who would repent and believe in Him. Jesus wept for the lost. Do we love Jesus? Do we accept His love? Have you given your life to the Passover Lamb of God? Have you asked Him to lead and guide you?

Easter, or Resurrection Sunday, is defined as a festival and holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, described in the New Testament as having occurred on the third day after his burial following his crucifixion by the Romans at Calvary c. 30 AD. It is the culmination of the Passion of Jesus, preceded by Lent (or Great Lent), a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance. These are the facts of the event, but the eternal meaning, personal application and ever-lasting consequences are what truly matter. The holiday of Easter becomes all too familiar and people go through the motions. Do we understand the significance of “Resurrection Sunday”. Do we understand His death on the Cross and His victory over sin and death for our salvation? Jesus Christ was not a warrior, but a Savior. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. He is the only One who can redeem us by His atoning blood and save us.

Imagine that the Lord Jesus is looking at you and weeping. How He wishes today that you and I would understand! By Jesus’ death on that Cross for our sins, we are forgiven and saved from Hell. Understand that He died for you. Have you committed yourself to Him? Be transformed by inviting Him into your heart and whole life. Follow Him and grow and godly maturity as a child of God. Turn fully to the Lord Jesus, your Savior, and reflect Him unto others with love, joy an peace. Jesus came to conquered sin and death. He wept and came for you!

In Christ, Brian