When Jesus wept

Just when reading through the third Gospel account in a row was getting a little tedious, I was struck by Luke's description of the triumphal entry...

At the time when Jesus should have received glory as the heir to the throne, those who wished him dead interrupted the celebration with their scorn. The joyous moment was cut short by those who were too blinded by self-righteousness to recognize the long-awaited Messiah.

As the shouts of praise were reaching a climax, the Pharisees cried out, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" -Luke 19:39

Jesus grieved over these lost sheep, knowing what future they had.

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." -Luke 19: 41-44 (emphasis added)

We can miss out in two ways: Firstly, by failing to recognize the message of the Savior's resurrection; and secondly, by failing to keep watch and make ready for His second coming.

Maybe I'm preaching to the choir and you are all fully aware of these dangers. But no matter where we live, there are plenty of people around us who haven't woken up to the fact that the Savior is coming for His bride. And they may not wake up in time. How should this affect the way we live our lives?

I like this song by Casting Crowns (there are a few more verses, but I selected the relevant ones). I recommend listening to it to get the full effect.

Jerusalem, what you have missed while you were sleeping

The Savior of the world is dying on your cross today

Jerusalem, you will go down in history

As a city with no room for its King

While you were sleeping

While you were sleeping

United States of America

Looks like another silent night

As we're sung to sleep by philosophies

That save the trees and kill the children

And while we're lying in the dark

There's a shout heard 'cross the eastern sky

For the Bridegroom has returned

And has carried His bride away in the night

America, what will we miss while we are sleeping

Will Jesus come again

And leave us slumbering where we lay

America, will we go down in history

As a nation with no room for its King

Will we be sleeping

Will we be sleeping