The Day Jesus Wept - The Day Of Visitation

Introduction: The Christmas carol ask the question, Do you see what I see?, Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king, Do you know what I know?, In your palace wall mighty king, Do you know what I know?, A child, a child Shivers in the cold, Let us bring him silver and gold, Let us bring him silver and gold.”

What a tragedy it is when God visits His people and many of them miss His visitation! In the company whom Jesus addressed in the above passage were Pharisees, scribes, chief priests and a massive crowd. This significant body of people were filled with excitement, loaded with religious convictions and public concerns. Many people honestly thought they were right with God and ready for anything God sent, but how heart-rending that they did not recognize their day of visitation and they missed the move of God! Would it not be foolish to suppose that we are unlike that crowd, and maybe in no danger of missing our time of visitation? And how tragic it would be if you should receive the visitation but others we love and are responsible for would miss the Lord’s coming.

His earthly ministry of Jesus was soaring, along with his popularity. Even his own disciples were planning, looking for new positions of exaltation. The crowds were massive, and the sway of popular opinion seemed to suggest that the sky was the limit. One can only imagine what Jesus was feeling, knowing the future, and knowing he would never return home again. This was a journey of no return.

In preparation to leave his home for the last time, Jesus probably gave assignments to his young brothers and placed the carpenter shop into their hands. He probably packed a few things and was ready to leave the city. Nazareth like most Jewish towns was filled with travelers on the way to Passover. Jesus and his disciples endured several delays as they left Nazareth. It teaches us that no matter how busy we are, we should take time for people. Although Jesus was in a hurry, he is stopped by some parents with their children. They desired him to lay hands of them and bless them.

The passage has sometimes been referred to as the Triumph Entry. As Jesus enters Jerusalem, the Holy City amid all the shouts of joy and celebration, Jesus begins weeping and wailing. The passage of Scripture is really a sobering passage because there is such a contrast. The crowd is experiencing a jubilant celebration as Jesus approaches the city from the Mount of Olives. He is riding on a borrowed colt, a symbol for a king coming in peace. Luke alone tells this story of Jesus weeping uncontrollably. Some translations have omitted this text because they could not imagine the Son of God in such a broken state.

I know that other scriptures have pictured Jesus as weeping as he did at Lazarus’s grave but not as he cries here. The Greek word here describes a person crying out of control, beating his breast and very much aloud. What a different picture of the Son of God. This scene occurs near the end of His earthly ministry after Jerusalem had experience many miracles, signs, and wonders. He approaches the city on the caravan road between Bethany and Jerusalem. From this hillside, Jesus could see the entire city in all of its glory. See the picture, the crowd is full of praise and adoration, but Jesus is weeping and wailing for them and city. I wonder how often we give reasons for Jesus to weep today? Why was Jesus weeping so uncontrollably? First, Jesus wept because of their spiritual ignorance and lack of perception. Notice verse 42;

1. Jesus Wept Because of Their Spiritual Ignorance and Lack of Perception. - Luke 19:42-AV Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong] unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.

Jesus wept because the Jews did not realize the golden opportunity that was slipping through their hands. Jesus said this was your Season to be blessed beyond measure. God through Jesus Christ have come to offer all that they needed for peace and tranquility, but They failed to take advantage of it. He speaks of this as being a time of visitation. A time when the Lord visit to inspect to promote or to bring judgment. This was a day of great opportunity and special privilege. They failed to recognize the importance of the day and failed to take advantage of the opportunity. If they would have embraced the testimony of Jesus and received him as Lord, their decisions would have led you to peace and prosperity. God had ordained it to be a time for your refreshment, rest, wholeness and comfort. But Israel failed to understand. Jesus wept because of their spiritual ignorance and lack of spiritual perception. I believe there are many things that should get our attention also, the pandemic, the crisis, the violence, we grieve, yet many times miss the lesson. Today is a good day for us to examine ourselves, our lives, and our actions, and ask, “Am I pleasing God?” The Jews saw His miracles, were blessed by his ministry, but they missed their moment. Secondly, Jesus wept because of their missed opportunity.