WHAT MADE JESUS CRY?
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WHY DO YOU THINK JESUS CRIED WHEN HE SAW JERUSALEM ON THAT PALM SUNDAY?
Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem
41But as they came closer to Jerusalem and Jesus saw the city ahead, he began to cry. 42"I wish that even today you would find the way of peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from you. 43Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you. 44They will crush you to the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you have rejected the opportunity God offered you."
Jesus Clears the Temple
45Then Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the merchants from their stalls. 46He told them, "The Scriptures declare, `My Temple will be a place of prayer,' but you have turned it into a den of thieves." 47After that, he taught daily in the Temple, but the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the other leaders of the people began planning how to kill him. 48But they could think of nothing, because all the people hung on every word he said.
Christ's words in this Gospel make it clear that He wept because the religious leaders of God's chosen people were rejecting the opportunity for salvation offered by God. Soon they would suffer greatly as a nation. Jesus came as the promised Messiah - the Good News - the Savior! But people were missing the Truth.
JESUS CAME TO BE YOUR SAVIOR. HAVE YOU TAKEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE HIS GIFT OF SALVATION? DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO NEEDS TO KNOW THAT JESUS CAME TO RESCUE THEM TOO?
Jesus also showed his emotion in the Temple...in a big way! Jesus was upset and cleaned house! Merchants and money changers were doing business in God's house and keeping people from focusing on the true worship of God.
IS THERE ANYTHING IN YOUR LIFE OR IN YOUR CHURCH THAT IS GETTING IN THE WAY OF GENUINE WORSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST?
Rather than talking right away to God, just listen for a couple of minutes. Let Jesus communicate to you in your mind and heart through His power, love, forgiveness and the truth of His Holy Word. Now take a few minutes to respond to Him. Let His Holy Spirit help you with the words to pray....
- Because of God's Spirit, you can count on Jesus showing up in your life all the time. Every day, pray for the faith you need to respond in obedience to Him.
- Because of God's Spirit at work in the Body of Christ, you can count on Jesus to reach out to the people in your church. During this Holy week, pray that your church family will respond in true worship of the King of kings!
- Use your journal this week to write down thoughts or examples of how you see the compassion of Jesus in your life or in the lives of others.
Daily Devos is published Monday through Friday. Archives can be found at YFC.ORG. Its purpose is to help you apply truths from God's Word every day.
Our writer, Byron Emmert, has been involved with Youth For Christ for 30 years. He's served as Campus Life Staff, as a writer, and in leadership for the DCLA Conferences. Byron is married to Linda and their family includes two married sons and daughters-in-law, and a daughter in college. He loves sports, deep dish pizza, and spending time with his family.