Jesus rides
triumphantly into Jerusalem just a week before His crucifixion. You probably
know the story. It’s a story of celebration and worship. It’s a story in which
we see Jesus being recognized as King. He is honored and praised by the crowds.
Everything about it seems good and positive and happy.
We typically tell
the story on Palm Sunday. And we call it “Palm” Sunday because as Jesus was
riding into Jerusalem crowds gathered and they threw their coats and other
garments on the road ahead of him and they spread palm branches on the road, as
well.
As Jesus was
riding, the crowds were cheering and shouting, “Blessed is he who comes in the
name of the Lord.” They are calling out “Hosanna!” which is an expression of
praise and adoration and joy.
It is an
incredible scene. The recognition of Jesus as Lord and the inclination to
worship Him is so powerful that when some of the Pharisees complain about what
is happening Jesus actually says, “If these people kept quiet, the stones along
the road would burst into cheers!”
It is
extraordinary.
But then the
scriptures tell us as He gets a little bit closer to Jerusalem and He sees the
city come into view something happens that—in light of what has been going on—seems
sort of strange. Jesus looks at Jerusalem and all of a sudden he begins to cry.
Jesus is weeping.
What’s going
on? This doesn’t seem like it is a moment in which sad tears would be shed. But
reading from the book of Luke chapter 19, here is what Jesus says… [He is, basically, saying this to the people
of Jerusalem.]
“How I wish today that you of all
people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is
hidden from your eyes. Before long your enemies will build ramparts against
your walls and encircle you and close in on you from every side.
“They will crush you into the ground,
and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in
place, because you did not accept your opportunity for salvation.”
Luke 19:42-44
Jesus is
heartbroken. These people—God’s people—had an opportunity. They could have
responded to Jesus and the story would have been different. But they did not.
And that makes Jesus said.
God cries
tears of sorrow.
…Want to hear
more?
If you are in
the area I invite you to join us, Sunday, August 2nd, at:
First Church
of God
4600 W. 111th
Street
Oak Lawn, IL
Services
times: 9am and 11am
I know some
of you who will read this post do not live in this area. If you are interested
the rest of this message will be posted on the church website on Tuesday
afternoon, August 4th.
Website
link: http://visitusonline.org/scmedia.php?type=recent&loc=visitusonline.org/media/media/recent.php&
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