Luke 19:41-46 Jesus approaches the city of Jerusalem and pauses. He weeps. He is weeping over dear lost souls. He cries and His shoulders shake in anguish. For three years He has offered Himself to Israel and they do not accept Him, Son Of God. They slam the door in the Face of Jesus' salvation. They choose sin instead of abundant Life in Him. We cry with Him.
You and I may know weeping over those whom we love as they choose sin and its consequences. It is just plain heartbreaking. We may prompt them to repent of sin and ask forgiveness from God and then search their faces for positive responses. We hope and pray they'll not slam the door on Jesus permanently like the Israelites. God does have a judgement on sinfulness and sinfulness leads to tragedy. Jesus weeps with us over them.
Then Jesus' tears dry and He goes straightaway into the temple. Entering the temple He drives out people who are selling things and exchanging money for profit. He says to them, "My house shall be a house of prayer'; but you have made it a den of robbers." The dishonest ones flee. Now had They fallen on their knees and plead for mercy He would have given it to them. Jesus forgives when repentance is true.
By the Power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus will show us when we have wronged too. We will know it with a certainty. There is no need to flee. Stop and plead for His mercy. He gives Mercy and Peace. Jesus forgives. Jesus loves and forgives.
41 As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it, 42 saying, “If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 Indeed, the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up ramparts around you and surround you, and hem you in on every side. 44 They will crush you to the ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave within you one stone upon another; because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God.”
45 Then he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling things there; 46 and he said, “It is written,
‘My house shall be a house of prayer’;
but you have made it a den of robbers.” Luke 19:41-46
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