Lament Over Jerusalem
Time to expand our vocabulary.
What is a lament?
In context with today’s verses-grief or sorrow work best.
Who had grief and sorrow over Jerusalem?
Jesus.
And why did Jesus lament over Jerusalem?
Go ahead…read for yourself, the answer is in the verses.
“At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” And he said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course. Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.’ O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! Behold, your house is forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’””
Luke 13:31-35
Yes, Jesus grieved over the people of Jerusalem. He was not distracted by those who told Him King Herod wanted to kill Him. Jesus is God. Herod had no authority over Jesus unless He allowed it.
Jesus was saddened. The people of Jerusalem had repeatedly turned away from God. It’s true. They had killed prophets and threw stones at those God sent to tell them to repent of their sins. And Jerusalem is known as The Holy city…God’s.
Still Jesus grieved for Jerusalem. Jesus knew the hearts of people.
News flash-we are the same. Our hearts are hard-call us stubborn, rebellious. That’s right. Us.
It wasn’t only Jerusalem where people rebelled against God. “Jerusalem” is an example for us today of how stubbornly we resist God’s call on our hearts to turn from our sins and seek His forgiving grace.
We are rebellious. Just like the Jews of Jerusalem during Jesus’ time. Did you know that God destroyed Jerusalem twice? Did you know that the city was besieged 23 times, attacked 52 times and captured and recaptured 44 times? What is the reason? The rebellious hearts of the people.
Jesus grieves over our rebellious hearts. Now.
He is not some nice man down the street who is in sorrow over our rebellion. He is Creator of the Universe. He is the One who made every cell of our bodies. THIS Jesus is filled with sorrow over our rebellious hearts.
Both of us need to remember this: Jesus gives second chances…and third and 4th…look at how many times Jerusalem got a second chance.
Jesus says to us today “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!”
He rejoices and blesses all who come to Him and say, “I’m sorry.”
Only Jesus can take away our remorse.