Read Luke 19 – 20
And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, saying, 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. Luke 19:41-42 KJV
Luke’s gospel emphasizes the true humanity of Christ, and this scene bears it out. With the city of Jerusalem coming in view from the Mount of Olives, Jesus wept. This was not a tear or two, but an outpour of emotion. Jesus had ridden into Jerusalem on a donkey in fulfillment of Scripture. It was a clear sign the nation should have recognized. He was their Messiah and they should have received Him as their king. Although some celebrated His arrival, the leaders and nation rejected Him. His weeping was not about His rejection, but their rejection of Him. What should have been a day of triumph for Jerusalem and the whole nation became a day of trouble. Jesus wept over their sin and the judgment which had already begun. Our sin grieves the heart of God as well. How thankful we all can be Jesus followed this scene on the Mount of Olives with another on Mount Calvary for sin.
Lord, it seems strange to read of Your weeping over a city, a nation, and the sinfulness of Your people. And yet we know our sin grieves You. We are grateful You went to the cross to deal with our sin and provide us with victory over it. Help us walk in the victory.
A question to ponder: If Jesus weeps over sin then apparently my sin has also grieved Him, what needs to happen in my relationship with Him that there might be rejoicing instead?
