WATCHWORD:
As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it. Luke 19:41
“And the Lord was also angry with me because of you. He said to me, ‘Moses, not even you will enter the Promised Land! Deuteronomy 1:37
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36
He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood. Luke 22:44
Meditation:
The Many Faces of Jesus – II
Geography/chronology lesson: Jesus has spent at least two days in Jericho, another two days making His way up the rough and steep Jericho Road, finally climbing the slope of the Mount of Olives to the town of Bethany, and the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Bethany is several hundred feet of elevation higher than Jerusalem, so, later, as Jesus makes His way to Jerusalem, he was able to see the entire city laid out below Him, and He has an emotional response – He weeps.
Throughout the Bible, the emotions of Jesus are reflected in multiple passages, Old Testament and New Testament, the full catalog of emotions that we all have experienced. In Deuteronomy, he is said to be angry. We see Him moved to compassion/pity in Judges (2:18). He is at one time “brokenhearted” (Genesis 6:6), and another rejoicing with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). In Matthew and in Luke, we see Jesus experiencing compassion. His anger is recorded in John, and Luke describes in detail Jesus’ agony to the point where His sweat was like drops of blood.
Times when we’ve gone through the incredible pain of loss of a loved one, on matters of health that has created a sense of being alone in our pain. Sometimes our own emotions get the better of us and we may cry out “Help me, Jesus”, and wonder when and where the help is coming from. In more lucid moments we may know that our help comes from the Lord, yet in the darkness of our depression, we still wonder where is the “light” that I need?
We are reminded of something that Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote in a Nazi prison camp: “Only the suffering God can help.”
Yes, our God has experienced it all. Put aside our thoughts that he lacks compassion, or feelings, or empathy, and rest in his understanding and loving arms. This darkness will not last, this sadness and suffering that we are experiencing will soon pass. We need to see our Lord and Savior as one who understands and has experienced the full range of emotion from joy to suffering and is committed to using both for our advantage and for His glory. So be it. Amen.
Wisdom from Tim Keller:
You don’t really know Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have.
Closing Prayer:
Dear God, thank you for the unmerited favor of your love. It is because of the faith you created in me that I have been saved, set apart to do your work, and received your grace. Through Christ, I have received grace upon grace. Father, I sometimes miss the mark and fall short of your will. Thank you for the grace you lavish when I falter in my faith. Praise You for grace upon grace. Amen.
