Jesus Wept:Lessons From the Times Jesus WeptShembull

Luke 19:41-44 (NIV)

As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 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. 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. 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.”

Jesus saw the future of Jerusalem and wept over its fate and the devastation waiting to happen. As Jesus demonstrated, the fate of the world must grieve our hearts and cause us to cry out to God in prayer for the sake of the world. The world's fate should create a sense of urgency to share the gospel—to tell someone about Jesus. 

Every Christian has a responsibility to share the gospel with someone and we must use every outlet and every opportunity. The internet and other media outlets, the playground and playdates, and every interaction we have with others provides opportunities for us to reveal the love of Jesus. One of our topmost prayers should be for the salvation of souls. 

We should derive no joy or pleasure from the fate of those who do not believe. When they mock us and accuse us falsely, love must drive our response, and we must see God’s greatest desire for them: salvation. 

The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for our sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. 2 Peter 3:9 (NLT)

I pray that our hearts will be grieved by the things that grieve God’s heart and we will recognize the time of our visitation.