As he rounded the corner, the view opened up and he saw the city in front of him, perched proud and confident on its hill, like a king enthroned. At the highest point stood the Temple, glistening gold in the sun, reflecting off the tears on his face:
“If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes…”
This was the city that rejected him. This was the golden Temple he would cleanse in righteous anger. These were the people who would shout “crucify him!” and make fun of him as he died. These were the people who would pierce his heart, and these were the people who broke it.
He wept over them, even as they plotted to destroy him. He prayed for their forgiveness, even as he hung from their cross. He gave his life to offer them salvation, even as they mocked him for not saving himself.
Yes, judgment would come for all they had done. Justice, for their crimes against the innocent. “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.” It all happened, in 70AD. They tried to destroy Jesus, but that was impossible, and the path they chose lead to their own destruction instead. Jesus saw it coming, and wept.
People are still choosing paths like this, still running towards their own destruction and hurting others in the process. Sometimes I might be one of the ones getting hurt, or worried that they will destroy something I love. Maybe they will. Maybe I’ve seen it coming.
But do I weep for them?
sethlewis.ie 