“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’” (Luke 19:41-42).
Tears were perhaps the last things we’d have expected from Jesus that first Palm Sunday. He had just ridden triumphantly into Jerusalem and received the homage of the multitudes. Yet, in that moment of triumph, the Savior cries, sobbing out loud as the original word indicates.
Why? Because Jerusalem should have known all about the peace he had come to bring. God had told them often enough, sending prophet after prophet. Finally he had even sent his Son as the Prince of peace into their midst. Foolishly, in unbelief ’s stupidity, they rejected the only One who could bring them peace with God. Even worse, they rushed him to the cross.
No wonder Jesus wept. Human beings can quickly turn to anger when love is spurned. Not our Savior. He wept when he saw what Jerusalem’s rejection would bring it. With divine wisdom Jesus could look ahead and see the beloved city destroyed by Roman legions. With divine concern his tears increased when he looked ahead and saw Jerusalem’s unbelieving inhabitants heading into the never-ending destruction of hell.
For me, thank God, Jesus’ tears that Palm Sunday have a different message. They tell me he really means his words: “The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10). They tell me his love desires the salvation of every sinner, including me.
Prayer:
God, may your tears never be an indictment of me but serve as an incentive for me to draw ever nearer to you. God help me, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
From Beside Quiet Waters by Richard E. Lauersdorf. All rights reserved.
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