Station 2: Jesus Weeps

Luke 19:41-44

41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”

REMEMBER

When Jesus saw all that was happening in Jerusalem, His heart was burdened greatly. The pain and suffering was all around, and most importantly, people were deciding to live in tragic and harmful ways. He looked at how people were seeking joy, love, and specifically peace in all the wrong ways. He called out in tears, saying “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace…” If they had only known that the Prince of Peace rode in on a donkey just moments before, a type of peace they could have never known possible or accessible, but here it was, the Son of God Himself.

Jesus wept for the pain that Jerusalem would endure in the years to come – He wept over their blindness to the light that He was offering, that they didn’t recognize He was the Messiah, the one they had been waiting for. He was burdened for the lost, the brokenhearted, the abused, the poor and lonely. His people needed the redemption that only He could give. He came to them, yet they did not receive Him. 

RECOGNIZE

Think about the pain we endure in our lives when we are blind to our own faults, our need for God, and we reject Jesus and the truth He offers. What are some of the things you see in the world today that Jesus weeps for? 

RECEIVE 

Ask God to break your heart for what breaks His. Ask Him to see people the way He does. Ask God to burden your heart for people to receive the light Jesus offers in our darkest of situations. 

Heavenly Father, I am sorry for the ways I have been blinded by sin, grief and the pursuit of power, position or fame. Forgive me for living in my own strength. Your heart is for salvation. Your heart is for restoration and reconciliation. Show me how to love this world the way You love it. Align my desires with Your desires. Teach me to see things through Your eyes. I lift up our community to You, Father. Heal the sick, overcome evil, establish Your Kingdom! In Jesus’ name, Amen.