Palm Sunday

Luke 19: 41 - 44 (NIV): 41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 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. 43 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. 44 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 wept over Jerusalem the day he entered triumphantly on a donkey. The people worshipped him and laid palm branches on the road before him so that the donkey on which he was riding would not have to step on the dirt. Jesus was entering Jerusalem as a king. Kings in times of peace would ride into town on a donkey in this culture. Jesus was fulfilling a prophecy from Zachariah 9:9 that said the king would enter on a donkey bringing peace.

    So, why did Jesus weep over Jerusalem? Because he knew the people of the city were going to reject him as their king. They were looking for a political Messiah and he was a spiritual one. They would chant "crucify him" within five days of his entry. And 37 years later, the Roman General Titus would enter Jerusalem and murder most of the people. He would completely destroy the temple. He would forever change the worship of the Jews.

    Palm Sunday is celebrated by churches around the world each year. But there is a dark warning we must not miss. Jesus came once into Jerusalem on a donkey. He came once bringing peace. He died once and only once. When we see him again he will be on a white horse and he will bring "the fury" of God's wrath to those who have rejected him. On his robe and on his thigh this will be written: "King of Kings and Lord of Lords." (Revelation 19:  11 - 16). Accept Jesus' peace while there is still time. When he returns he will not bring peace, but judgement.