18 Mar, 2008
Holy emotion!
Joy! Sadness. Anger?
What makes Jesus cry?

picture courtesy images.google.com
Luke 19:36-48
36 And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem
41 And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, 42 saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side 44 and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”
Jesus Cleanses the Temple
45 And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold, 46 saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers.”
47 And he was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people were seeking to destroy him, 48 but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were hanging on his words. (ESV)
Today's God's Story scripture is about the "Holy Week" story. Maybe a few questions will help it connect to our story?
WHY DO YOU THINK JESUS CRIED WHEN HE SAW JERUSALEM ON THAT PALM SUNDAY?
Christ's words in this Gospel make it clear that He wept because the religious leaders of God's chosen people were rejecting the opportunity for salvation offered by God. Soon they would suffer greatly as a nation. Jesus came as the promised Messiah - the Good News - the Savior! But people were missing the Truth.
Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6). Have you responded to God offering you His gift of salvation (forgiveness for your sins) through trusting Jesus to your personal Savior? Are you His follower?
You know others who need Jesus to rescue them from their sin. Do they understand the Truth about Jesus? Are you showing them the Way through Christ's Life in you?
IS THERE ANYTHING IN YOUR LIFE OR IN YOUR CHURCH THAT IS GETTING IN THE WAY OF GENUINE WORSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST?
Jesus also showed his emotion in the Temple...in a big way! Jesus was upset and cleaned house! Merchants and money changers were doing business in God's house and keeping people from focusing on the true worship of God.
When we truly worship Jesus instead of just showing up at church...the world will start to see God's Truth rather than our hypocrisy or church labels.
Jesus showed holy joy, holy sadness, and a holy anger. Let Jesus show you Himself during this Holy Week.
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
- Rather than talking right away to God, just listen for a couple of minutes. Let Jesus communicate to you in your mind and heart through His power, love, forgiveness and the Truth of His Holy Word. Now take a few minutes to respond to Him. Let His Holy Spirit help you with the words to pray....
- Because of God's Spirit, you can count on Jesus using His Truth to impact your life. Every day, pray for the faith you need to respond in obedience to Him.
- Because of God's Spirit at work in the Body of Christ, you can count on Jesus to reach out to the people in your church. During this Holy Week, pray that your church family will respond in true worship of the King of kings!
- Use your journal this week to write down thoughts or examples of how you see the compassion of Jesus in your life or in the lives of others.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture and our story to others?
- Think about your friends and family who need Jesus. If you spend much time with them, you see their expressions of emotion. The next time you observe their joy, sadness, or anger, bring up the topic of Jesus' emotions. Talk about how this connects to your own emotions. Ask them if they think anything in the world today makes Jesus cry? Listen carefully. Jesus will guide you to know how to respond...
- Encourage and challenge another follower of Christ this week by sending them this DAILYBIDE.
- Remember to bring a friend or family member who needs Jesus to your church services this week. Be sure to hang out and spend time and talk after the service.
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