BEGINNING OF HOLY WEEK
This week in the church calendar is known as Holy Week – the week in which Jesus was crucified; the week that started with people throwing their coats and palm branches on the road as Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the colt of a donkey, and they shouted:
Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest! Mark 11:9-10
If I had been there I wonder what I would have felt?
Would my body tingle with excitement that a new king had come?
Or would I think that finally all my troubles would be over?
Would I hope he would heal me of my achy muscles or weak eyes?
PHARISEES NOT HAPPY
Some Pharisees in the crowd must have gotten tired of hearing the shouts, because Luke 19:39 tells us that they asked Jesus to rebuke those who were praising him. Here is what he answered:
I tell you, if these become silent, the very stones would cry out. Luke 19:40
It has been said that some of these people are the same ones who later in the week cried, “Crucify him!” I’m not sure. Jesus had a lot of followers, but he also had enemies, namely the religious leaders. They may very well have influenced some of these same people. Nevertheless, at this time they were praising Him.
Some of them may have questioned why he was riding on a donkey’s colt. This was not how a king came to conquer, but that didn’t deter them from praising him.
As they neared the city, I wonder if anyone noticed when he stopped to look down over Jerusalem.
JESUS WEEPS
As he approached and saw the city, he wept for it, saying, “If you knew this day what would bring peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. For the days will come on you when your enemies will build a barricade around you, surround you, and hem you in on every side. They will crush you and your children among you to the ground, and they will not leave one stone on another in your midst, because you did not recognize the time when God visited you." Luke 19:41-44 CSB
What compassion he had! He knew what was coming and it made him weep for the people of Jerusalem.
I do have compassion for people and my heart goes out to them when I hear of troubles and sicknesses. But my compassion pales when compared to Jesus. I pray that He would open my heart to love as he loves. What are your thoughts? I’d love for you to share in the comments.
(I originally published these thoughts on Holy Week on my former blog. This is Part 1. Here are Part 2 and Part 3.)
I’m linking up with #InspireMeMonday.
Dear Gayl, it was so stirring to hear your voice reading these thoughts today. The compassion of Jesus flowed so deeply! He knew what He was going to soon face also, and yet He wept for Jerusalem. Oh, yes, I join you in praying for my heart to be opened as well. Blessings and love to you Dear sister!
Thank you so much, dear Bettie. Yes, and His love is still so great for us. Blessings and love to you! xoxo
We cannot understand the depth of His love for us. The creator of the universe left Heaven to come to earth, with all its sin and depravity, to be born a helpless baby, and then die for people who would spit upon Him, and nail Him to a cruel cross. This is amazing love that none of us deserve. My heart aches for those who would reject such love as this, such unconditional, pure love as this❤️❗May we all remember that this grace, this love, is unmerited favor beyond compare. Thank you so much dear Lord Jesus for your great love and sacrifice ✝️🙏❤️❗Thank you, Gayl for this beautiful post 💖❗
You are right. It is a love we cannot comprehend, but we can be so thankful for it! Yes, thank you to our Savior for His great sacrifice, His love and His intercession for us. Blessings to you, Terry!
My heart weeps this week yet Jesus wept for His city of Jerusalem. He weeps for those He loves. The good news is that there is a future with Him for always. I am ever so grateful that He has taken my sins with Him to that awful yet ever-so-meaningful cross. Thanks, Gayl, for such a powerful post.
~ linda
Yes, Jesus has so much compassion for us. Like you, I am so grateful that He paid the price for me, that I will live with Him forever. Blessings to you, dear Linda!
What a day that was! If only we had a video of it! I do tend to think that these same people who praised him were the ones who later yelled for his crucifixion. Because they were looking for a political kingdom and when they saw they were not going to get it, they turned on Him.
I love the part about Him weeping over Jerusalem. Know what they would do to Him, He still felt for them. What a love!
What compassion Jesus had! If the people then only realized how much He loved them. And you’re right – so many were looking for a political kingdom and they missed their true Messiah. Blessings to you, Jerralea!