It happens often at weddings. The mother of the bride can be seen quietly sobbing. Her tears are a fitting response to the coming of age of her daughter and the memories of the years she had nurtured her.
The Jews were celebrating the coming of their long-awaited king (Luke 19:35-38). Yet Jesus was weeping, the second time He had wept openly. At the tomb of Lazarus, Jesus wept (John 11:35). Here He was crying audibly (Luke 19:41).
But why? His people had rejected Him. They sought political freedom. But Jesus came to deliver them from their sins and to offer them peace with God by way of the cross—not the crown.
Jesus looked at their past. God had raised many prophets, calling His people to repent. But they had killed the prophets (Luke 11:48, Luke 13:34). Jesus looked at the present religiosity and piety that had accomplished little. The city was filled with pilgrims commemorating a sacred festival, but it was empty worship. Their temple had become a den of thieves (Luke 19:46). Jesus looked at the future. He saw the death, destruction, and devastation that would come to the people and city (Luke 19:43-44).
The Lord had lovingly and persistently pursued them, but they “were not willing!” (Luke 13:34 NIV). Jesus wept because His own people had rejected Him as their Messiah (Luke 19:14; John 1:11). Israel had wasted and exhausted her opportunities. “Now it [was] too late” (Luke 19:42). “Because [they] did not accept [their] opportunity for salvation” (Luke 19:44), only the fearful prospect of judgment was in view. Forty years later, the Romans came and destroyed Jerusalem and the temple.
Jesus weeps for you if you haven’t received His free gift of salvation. But it’s not too late!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 2 Samuel 5:1-12
More:
What is your response to God’s appeal in 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 and Hebrews 3:7-15?
Next:
How does the fact that Jesus wept affect your view of Him and His love for you? What will you do to bring honor and glory to Him this week?
Tom Felten on April 3, 2014 at 9:08 am
How great is Jesus’ love for us . . . for God’s love for us? Thanks for this reminder, KT. Sometimes we can get so focused on things that are made up of “religiosity and piety” and begin to miss the target—a loving relationship with the One who deeply loves us!
street on April 3, 2014 at 11:48 am
Jesus brings real freedom and real peace from sin.
daisymarygoldr on April 3, 2014 at 4:59 pm
It is not too late—for those who believe. In those forty years before Jerusalem was destroyed, many believed Jesus Christ and were saved (Acts 2:41).
For the unbelieving, it was too late. The unbelieving wanted Jesus to show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove He was the Messiah. And in response Jesus said, ‘no sign will be given except the sign of Jonah.’
The Lord was referring to His resurrection which was fulfilled only after His death. Note, He was weeping over Jerusalem even before His death. This is because He knew all those who would reject Him. Jesus wept at their unbelief.
Even today, people seek for some miraculous sign as proof that Jesus Christ is God. The resurrection is the only sign that Jesus is the Savior of the world who alone can give us eternal life.
What is the sign of resurrection? Easter eggs? No. The resurrected body of Christ is— His Church. The sole purpose of the Church’s existence in this world is to be witnesses of Christ’s resurrection (Acts 2:32). Transformation from death to life cannot be accomplished by religiosity and piety of observing fasts and festivals.
A sinner’s changed life is living proof of Christ’s resurrection. The fearful expectation of judgment is for those who reject Jesus Christ. It is so important to not miss the opportunity of your salvation. So today, now, while there is still time, repent from your sins, receive Christ and be saved— before it is too late.