Luke 19:28-48
Everyone here wants to have a great, festive time. Everyone but Jesus. He wants to give life.
He enters Jerusalem on purpose, choosing a donkey to ride. The sign was clear and defiant; Jesus, not Caesar, was Lord. Those who came to Jerusalem from where Jesus had done most of His ministry were cheering and yelping with joy. Who could keep silent when freedom and life were finally within reach?
The religious leaders want the hubbub to stop. This challenge to tradition interrupts our familiar fun! Our activities here must be kept the same. Our work here must be for the production of the best Passover we can muster.
Jesus wants to be acknowledged as King, by everyone. He knows the crowd on his side today will be the gang that yells, “Crucify Him!” soon. He knows the religious people who are looking for the glory of God will look right into His eyes…and not see what they are looking for.
Jesus wept.
The tears were for the suffering of so many then and now face because their religion, their identity, and their desires matter more than He ever will. The tears were for the lives He deeply loves, but who cannot let love shape who they are. The tears were shed on the parade route because life isn’t a parade; it is a relationship with God, either for Him, or against Him. He cried because so many would prove so often to be against. Wouldn’t you cry too?
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