Reflection

Jesus has just drawn near to the city and people were praising him and

proclaiming him as King. It’s a phenomenal picture and would have been such

a joyous occasion for those who had been faithfully waiting for the coming

of the Messiah. However, instead of rejoicing, Jesus laments. He weeps and

expresses his sorrow aloud. He knows that this city, that his chosen people

were going to reject him. Jesus has an immense amount of love for this city

and the people of Israel just like a parent has for their child. God has

seen them throughout the ages coming to him, rejecting him, submitting to

his punishment, and then return to him time after time again. He has been

there for his people, he has raised up judges, prophets and kings but they

didn’t fit their hearts on him. Now he has sent them his one and only son.

In him, they can find peace, but they won’t. They won’t turn to him and so

he weeps.

Moreover, he weeps because he knows what will happen to these people. He

knows that in just 40 years time or so it will all be gone. The people

inside the walls will be trapped, experience hunger and famine, weep and

wail, and then the Romans will come and enter killing women, children, and

men on every street, every corner. And so Jesus weeps. This is Jesus’ heart

for all who reject him. This is Jesus’ heart for the unbeliever. He has

humbled himself to this earth, he has died and rose again for them, he has

given every opportunity for them to have peace with God, so how sad it is

when someone doesn’t turn and repent when hearing the good news.

In his commentary on Matthew, 20th-century bishop JC Ryle writes, “There is

nothing wanting on God’s part for the salvation of sinners’ souls: no one

will ever be able to say at last that it was God’s fault if he is not

saved. The Father is ready to love and receive; the Son is ready to pardon

and cleanse guilt away; the Spirit is ready to sanctify and renew…One thing

only is needful, and that is, the sinner must be ready and willing

himself." MC

Questions

How have you responded to the Gospel?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank and praise you for Jesus and for the salvation

that is found in him. Soften our hearts and make our lives more like Jesus.

Amen.