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. Today is Palm Sunday. You can 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?
