The Parable Of The Tears And Cheers

The Parade of Tears and Cheers

Luke 19:28-44

It was the day He had been waiting for since eternity began. The day that He would announce to the world that He was the Promised King. The day the world had been longing for throughout the ages. As Jesus began his route into the Holy City of Jerusalem, He set out from Bethphage, which was located between Bethany and Jerusalem. Bethany was located just two miles southeast of Jerusalem on the Mount of Olives so the ride from Bethphage to Jerusalem would not take long.

The people began to gather. They waved palm branches and cheered, "Hosanna! Blessed be the King who comes in the name of the Lord!" They laid their coats down before Jesus creating a "red carpet" arrival for their King. Jesus rode slowly, humbly along the route not saying a word. There were no "Kingly" waves, no banners or campaign slogans lining the route, no bands playing "Hail To The Chief," and no stops for speeches. He rode, with the crowds cheering, but inwardly there were tears dripping from the heart of Jesus.

Finally, Jesus made His way past the crowds to a place overlooking the Holy City, and He stopped. As Jesus looked over the beautiful city of Jerusalem the tears burst forth. His heart sank as He considered the people's celebration and the realization that they had missed it. They didn't "get" it. They didn't understand. They came to see the Man who had healed blind Bartimaeus. They came to see the Man who had raised Lazarus from the grave. They came to see the Man who they thought would overthrow the Romans and reinstate the powerful reign of the Jewish people like in the days of King David. Jesus had the power to do all of those things, some He had already done, but that is not why He had come this day. He had come for something much grander, much greater, much more needed. So as He looked upon the city He spoke these words with tear-filled eyes. Luke tells us,

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." 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." (Luke 19:41-44 NIV)

The saddest words that a person can hear coming from the lips of the Savior where spoken that Sunday to the people of Jerusalem, "You did not recognize the time of God's coming to you." How could they have missed it? How could they not have recognized that God had come to deliver them from their sins, to heal their sin-sick hearts, and to offer them salvation? How could they have had the opportunity for a real celebration, a celebration of deliverance from sin and death, but settled for something superficial?

All over the world today there are untold millions who are waving palm branches, singing, "Hosanna! Blessed be the King who comes in the name of the Lord," and celebrating the coming of the Savior. Today is Palm Sunday, the day set aside to remember Jesus' riding into the city of Jerusalem on a donkey and declaring Himself to be the King! As we celebrate "Palm Sunday" we look back with 20/20 vision. We see clearly the announcement of Jesus' declaration. We understand that God was moving Jesus center stage for the greatest event in human history - the crucifixion and resurrection.

Those in the first century, at the time of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem during Passover, were not as fortunate as we are. They didn't have hindsight to help them. They were caught up in the moment. They were overwhelmed by the crowds who had arrived in the Holy City for the Passover. They were guided by their preconceived notions what the Messiah would do and be. They were caught up in the emotion of the electricity of the crowd. As a result of all of these things, they found themselves participating in a superficial celebration and they missed their opportunity for eternal life.