Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem

As Jesus was about to enter Jerusalem, he saw the city from afar. The walls were grand, and the gold dome of the temple shone in the sun. How beautiful it was! But as he kept looking, tears rolled down his face. He knew that even though the people in the city worshiped every day, their hearts had not truly known him. They had not turned back, had not repented, and had not let God's mercy come into their lives. Softly, Jesus said, "Jerusalem, Jerusalem! If only you had known today the things that bring you peace!" How he longed to gather every person in this city under his wings, like a mother hen gathers her chicks. Yet they were not willing. Jesus' tears were tears of tenderness, tears of mercy. He did not weep out of anger but out of love and longing. This Lord is not at all what we sometimes imagine; he does not wait to punish us. Instead, he stands outside the city in tears, with outstretched arms, waiting for us to turn back. In the end, Jesus wiped away his tears and, with a heart still full of love, walked into the city. He would keep telling everyone of God's mercy, and inviting each one to repent and return to the embrace of God.