When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”
40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
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.
Four times the Bible records Jesus cried or wept; one was over His friend Lazarus who had died (only recorded in John) who lived with sisters Mary & Martha in Bethany just 2 miles from Jerusalem. The other three times records that Jesus cried over the city Jerusalem
Why did He have such sadness over Jerusalem?
Jesus, along with the Father & Holy Spirit had destined Jerusalem as a holy city, set apart, the city of David, the city of Zion. There was a destiny given, a heritage lived and a rebellion boiling.
In this city Judas was to betray Jesus – and the city which was praising and shouting Hosanna was going to betray Him before the week was over.
Betrayal is one of the cruelest sins.
A husband who says he is working late at the office and the wife discovers he is with a co-worker. A daughter or son living at home, eating meals and accepting their parent’s care, but inwardly planning to run away. Private struggles are shared with a friend and later discovered on social media.
Betrayal.
Painful. Cruel. Broken.
This city and your city have a destiny, a calling given by the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Are we broken when the city betrays its call?
Do we cry over our nation?
It is a better position than blaming the president, congress, media or groups pushing their agenda.
Our city is broken.
Our nation is broken.
It began ages ago in the garden of Eden when sin corrupted this world.
What should we do?
What can we do?
1. Worship - Romans 12:1Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
2. Work – we are given work to do until the King returns
a. Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Conforming to the world when betrayed means:
Battle
Fight
Retaliate
Transforming and renewing your mind means:
Forgive
Love
Live out God’s will.
You can make a difference in your family, neighborhood, workplace, and world through your worship and your work.