Lent: Journey Through the Holy Land – Part 39

As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it.

Luke 19:41

As Jesus entered Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, the view would have been incredible. He would be able to see the walls surrounding the city and the temple. 

But despite the view, as Jesus overlooked Jerusalem, he wept. On the Mount of Olives, part way down is Dominus Flevit church, Latin for “the Lord wept.” The church is built in the shape of a tear drop and overlooks Jerusalem. Through the glass window you can see the temple and the Dome of the Rock. 

He wept over it.

What causes you to cry? Do you always feel the same emotions when you cry?  For me, there are several different reasons as to why I might cry.

Happiness. Sheer joy. Sometimes a situation will make me so happy and overjoyed that tears will just flow. And I won’t even realize it. I’ll be so happy that I can’t contain it. I do not believe that happiness was a reason as to why Jesus wept over Jerusalem and its people.

Humor. Yes, I’m the person that if you get me into a fit of laughter, I will cry. A LOT. But I do not think humor was a reason as to why Jesus wept over Jerusalem and its people.

There are three other reasons and emotions that I feel when I cry. And I think all three of these are very probable reasons as to why Jesus wept over Jerusalem. 

Anger and Frustration. Jesus knows how his time on earth ends. He has dedicated his time on earth to teach people how they can be saved and connect with God. He has healed many and offered a way to eternal life. And although many believed, there were also many who didn’t. Many who rejected him and his ways. I can imagine Jesus getting to the city of Jerusalem, angry that people continued to choose destructive paths, frustrated that people did not open their hearts to hear his words.

Fear. Jesus knows how his time on earth ends. He knows the pain he will endure in just a week’s time. In a few days his life would be in the hands of the people. 

Sadness. Jesus was sacrificing his life to save all people, but he knew that some would still choose to not have faith and believe. God loves us so much and he only wants the best for us. He wants us to choose to love him and worship him. Jesus knew that the people of Jerusalem would shout “Hosanna in the highest!” on Sunday, only to hear “Crucify him!” a few days later. The people of Jerusalem were broken, and Jesus wept for them. 

God loves us so much, that his heart breaks when we turn from him or push him away. God longs for us to worship him and love him. He wants nothing but good things for us. 

So as Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem, he wept. He wept knowing what was in the days ahead. He wept knowing that even though he would die for these people, they would not choose to believe in him. He wept for their souls. He wants nothing more than to spend eternal life with us. So much so, that when we don’t accept him into our hearts and our lives, it brings him to tears. 

I’ve read a lot of articles about this passage of scripture, and one broke down the difference in the words used for wept. It described the weeping in this passage as an audible cry. Not just silent tears, but an audible cry. Like in the movies when a tragedy strikes and the character is overcome by grief and it is a painful audible cry. Many people refer to this as an ugly cry. It’s not dainty tears, it’s a full emotional and audible reaction.

It’s passionate. It’s powerful. It’s heartbreaking. The God we worship loves us so immeasurably much that it brings him to an ugly cry. 

And as I think about it, it brings me to reason number one for crying. Happiness and sheer joy. 

As we head into Palm Sunday to shout “Hosanna in the Highest!” remember Jesus’ reaction as he looked over Jerusalem. Shout praises of joy welcoming the King and thank him for his deep love for us. 

We are so incredibly blessed to have a Savior who loves us more than we can ever imagine. 

God, thank You for Your deep love for us. Lord we praise You and give joy for You. In all of our days may we feel Your love and give thanks. Amen.

Now go get your palms ready! It’s almost time! 

Abbey Jo