Still riding on the donkey's colt, with cheering crowds and jubilant disciples urging him on, Jesus approached Jerusalem. The Pharisees were critical, or maybe cautious; they didn't understand what was happening. Maybe they were thinking Jesus would try to usurp their authority. Or maybe they feared that Pilate's soldiers would come down hard on the people for celebrating Jesus as a king.

When Jerusalem, which means "city of peace," came into view, Jesus wept, but not as he did at Lazarus's grave (John 11:35). This time he wept because God's people were about to reject his Son, who was bringing them salvation (John 3:16). Despite three years of ministry in their midst and so many prophecies fulfilled, they could not see what God was doing to save his people from destruction. The Savior was bringing salvation, but they couldn't see their guilt, even when he died for them (Romans 5:8, 10). Jesus also wept over what was coming that week, when everyone would reject him, and he wept over Jerusalem's history of rejecting God. God had often sent messengers to remind them of his love, and finally now he sent his own Son. But they still didn't get it.

As we walk with Jesus this week toward his crucifixion, do we get it? Can we weep with Jesus that it took his death to gain us eternal life?