Jesus Wept at Jerusalem, Too
It has been my observation that it is very rare for a person to be totally undeserving of treatment that could be described as unfair. What I mean by that is that there may be some degree of justification for somebody being upset with you or me for something we said or did (or did not say or do).
It could be that our timing was wrong. Maybe our intentions and actions were less than noble. Maybe our tone of voice sent a message we did not intend to send. We may have been totally unaware of how our action or inaction would affect another person. The possibilities are almost endless.
The bottom line is that none of us can claim sinless perfection (cf. Rom. 3:23). Neither can we claim a degree of wisdom that would guarantee that we would handle every situation in our lives in the best possible way.
How would you react if you were, in fact, totally innocent? What would you do if you knew that there was no legitimate or logical reason for the cruel treatment you were receiving? What would be your emotional state if you knew that those who had unfairly mistreated you were, as some say, “about to get theirs?”
The New Testament gives us a great deal of information about the only One who “…committed no sin, neither was deceit found in His mouth” (1 Peter 2:22). In the immediate context, the discussion is about how our Lord handled cruel and unfair treatment. The context also informs us that He “[left] you an example, so that you might follow in His steps” (1 Peter 2:21).
Recently, I was reminded of one particular incident during the earthly ministry of Jesus that demonstrates how He handled unfair treatment. At the same time, it serves as a challenge to us. You can find the inspired record of that incident in Luke 19:41-44. As you read those verses, you will read some very descriptive and disturbing words He used about the destruction of Jerusalem.
That destruction would be due, in large part, to the rejection of Jesus by many of the citizens of “the city of David.” This would be especially true with regard to the religious leaders.
How did Jesus feel about that? Was there smug satisfaction? Did He gloat? Does a reader get a sense that Jesus was glad that so many of the people who had treated Him so badly and unfairly were going to “receive their just due?”
Here are the words the Holy Spirit inspired Luke to write:
“And when He drew near and saw the city, He wept over it” (Luke 19:41).
Most of aware of the fact that Jesus wept at Bethany after the death of Lazarus. Did you know that He also wept in Jerusalem – and for a totally different reason?
As you read (and I type) the following words, maybe we both need to pay particular attention to the portion I’ve chosen to highlight:
“When He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:23).
The book of Acts begins with Luke informing the reader that his gospel had been written about “all that Jesus began to do and teach” (Acts 1:1). Please notice that order. He did not merely give orders or present theories. He did what He wants others to do and asks that we follow His example.
In The Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told His followers to “…Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matt. 5:44). He did just that. He challenges us to do the same.
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AUTHOR: Jim Faughn
