Yesterday
I wrote about Jesus weeping with us in our sorrows. Jesus also weeps over our
sins, and He is troubled by our blinded eyes. Read the account of Jesus'
Triumphal Entry in Luke 19:28-40 when Jesus comes to Jerusalem
as king.
Most
of our sermons and lessons for this day have to do with the crowds, shouts of
hosannas, the parade, the excitement, etc. But Jesus knew that all of it was a
sham. In a few short days the crowds would turn on Him – cheers turn in to
jeers – hosannas in to Crucify Him!
Can
you picture Him that day? Prophecy was
fulfilled. The Messiah riding on a donkey, over palm branches, and people's
coats. He had the praise of the people and was the center of attention. How
would you have felt? The closes thing I could imagine would be in a
convertible in the Macy's Thanksgiving parade route. Jesus reacted different
than we would. Luke 19:41-42 tells us, As he approached
Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even
you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden
from your eyes. This is referring to the desolation of
Jerusalem and future refusal of Him because of their hard hearts, stiff necks,
and blinded eyes.
You
see the crowds wanted a military general type king. A week later they realized
that wasn't what Jesus was about. So they crowned Him with
thorns instead of a golden crown. His Kingdom was not of this world. Jesus
wept for a blind sinful world. His weeping here is different than
in Bethany (a gentle sobbing). The word here entails a loud sobbing, wailing,
groaning, and cries that could be heard far away. Jesus was pouring out His
heart over our spiritual neglect and sin. Note in Bethany He was joined in
His weeping, but today He wept alone.
Sadly the church of Jesus Christ doesn't seem to be weeping over
the sins of those around them or even our own sins. We are hardly troubled
by blinded eyes. What are you blinded from? Do you need to be shedding
tears over someone or something in your world? Jesus is weeping. Will
you join Him?