SCRIPTURE: Matthew 23:37 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Luke 19:41-42 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 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.
THOUGHT: Sadly, I got pulled into crazy reality TV last week. So, why did I keep watching, I ask myself? I’ll spare you any more details and skip to the end. The woman who openly calls herself Christian, gets to the altar to say “I do” to a groom who has pursued her with love and great patience, and leaves him standing there in front of friends and family after demeaning him. The look on his face haunts me. Now it’s Holy Week, and I can’t stop thinking of the look on another bridegroom’s face as he sees his beloved.
Jesus enters Jerusalem for the last time. He knows the end of this journey is death by crucifixion. He pauses to gaze at the city which was to be the epicenter of God’s love– God’s shalom toward the human race. The city which, according to Revelation 21 will become his bride someday. According to Matthew, he talks of longing to hold her children under his wings, but being unable to because there is no willingness or desire to be held, protected. According to Luke, he weeps.
I’ve been wondering what the face of Jesus, the bridegroom, looks like as he gazes at us? Do we see the tenderness and compassion of a Redeemer who is willing to die to protect, defend and perfect us by love? Do we see the pain of a betrayed bridegroom, left at the altar by a church that scorns his love, his justice, his mercy? Jesus is both, and, flying in the face of everything logical, he faithfully promises that the marriage will happen.
SONG: Ever Be https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIkQ9I_xjdw
PRAYER NEEDS: For the church to universally move toward becoming the beautiful bride described in Revelation 21. Jesus, may you have your bride, free of all her guilt, and rid of all her shame, and known by her true name.
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