Daily devotion – O Jerusalem…
Luke 19:41 Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it..
Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem is documented by all four evangelists, with each one adding details that others omit. Jesus had made His mind up to fulfil what was written of Him in the Book of Zechariah chapter 9, that being that a future king of Judah would ride into Jerusalem bringing salvation with Him. But not on a stallion like some heroic general, but humbly on the back of the colt of a donkey yet unridden.
Zech 9:10…. He shall speak peace to the nations; His dominion shall be ‘from sea to sea,
And from the River to the ends of the earth.’
Every event that unveiled that day had been beautifully prearranged and planned. Jesus arranging with His friends in Bethany to lend Him a donkey releasing it into the disciples hands with the password – The Master needs it…!
The crowds then entered into the scene throwing their clothes down before Jesus path and breaking out in spontaneous praise.
As this amazing cavalcade of the Son of God passed the villages of Bethany, then Bethphage, it rounded the brow of the Mount of Olives, and suddenly Jerusalem came into view.
Here it seems the shouts of the people softened and to everyone’s amazement Jesus burst into convulsive tears. Through His sobs His words could be heard uttering a prophetic lament over the city, predicting its destruction because it did not know the time of His visitation – yet they should have!
It is amazing that at the very moment when Jesus warned the city of judgment, He was weeping over it in love. Divine judgment is a solemn, awesome reality of the existence of a Holy God.
But the God who judges is the God who weeps. He is not willing that any should perish.
And when in the end His judgment falls on anybody – as Jesus said it will – God’s eyes will be full of tears yet again.
May He not weep over you…