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."
Luke 19:41-42 (NIV)
God's tears show how much He loves us. On Palm Sunday, Jesus was riding into Jerusalem with crowds cheering all around Him. But instead of smiling, Jesus broke down and cried over the city. The people waved palm branches and shouted happy words. At the same time, their Savior wept with deep sadness. Jesus didn't cry quiet tears. He sobbed so hard that His shoulders shook.
God feels sad before He feels angry when we do wrong. Throughout the Bible, God's heart breaks before He sends any punishment. Before the flood came, God's heart was "deeply troubled" (Genesis 6:6). Before Israel faced trouble, God cried out, "How can I give you up?" (Hosea 11:8). And now, Jesus weeps before Jerusalem will be destroyed. God doesn't want to punish us. His broken heart comes before His judgment.
Tears say what words cannot. When someone who loves you cries over your choices, it hits deeper than if they just scolded you. Jesus's weeping over Jerusalem shows how deeply God cares for us—even for people who reject Him. His tears weren't fake or trying to make people feel guilty. They were real. His tears show us a side of God we often miss. God hurts when we hurt ourselves.
We cry hardest for those we love most. Think about it. You don't sob over strangers. You cry over your family, closest friends, important people, and even pets you deeply love (We miss you, Guchie!). Jesus cried hard over Jerusalem because He loved them deeply. The thought of their coming pain broke His heart. This is our God—not some far-off power who doesn't care, but a Savior who loves us so much that our bad choices make Him cry.
God sees the pain coming before we do. Jesus weeps because He knows what will happen to Jerusalem. In about 40 years, Roman armies would attack the city. They would kill thousands of people. Jesus wasn't just sad they rejected Him. He was unhappy about all the suffering they would bring on themselves. Like a parent watching a child touch a hot stove, God sees the pain our choices will cause before we feel it.
Jesus cries even for people who hate Him. This is amazing. Jesus wasn't crying for His friends. He cried for people who would soon yell, "Crucify Him!" His tears were for those who had rejected God's messengers for years and would reject Him, too. These weren't tears of self-pity. They were tears of love for His enemies. When people walk away from God, His love doesn't turn to hate. It turns to tears.
God gives us many chances before judgment comes. Jesus cried because Jerusalem had missed the opportunity to know Him. Yet, even after this, God gave the city nearly 40 more years before destruction came. This wasn't a quick or hasty punishment. It came only after decades more chances for them to return to God. God never rushes to judge us. His tears always come before His judgment.
The cross shows the same love as the tears. Just days after weeping over Jerusalem, Jesus would die on the cross for them. The heart that broke in sadness would be pierced with a spear. The love we see in His tears, we also see in His death. We must look at the cross if we ever doubt whether God's judgment comes from love. There, God took our punishment rather than just giving it to us.
God offers fresh starts even after we reject Him. After Jesus rose from the dead, He told His followers to preach "forgiveness of sins...to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem" (Luke 24:47). The very city that rejected Him got the first chance at the good news! This shows how Jesus keeps loving even when rejected. His tears weren't the end of His efforts. They were just one sign of a love that would die for us.
Godseekers, God still weeps today. We can't see God's tears, but His heart still breaks over our wrong choices and the trouble we bring on ourselves. His tears still come before His judgment. His sadness still shows His love. And His arms—once spread wide on a cross—stay open to welcome even those who have turned away many times. Will you see what brings true peace before it's too late?
Prayer
Dear God, Your tears touch my heart. I'm sorry for the times I've thought You were just an angry judge instead of a sad Father. Help me see Your love before I miss my chance. Show me what makes You cry, and help me care about those things, too. Thank You that when You correct me, it's from love, not meanness. Thank you for crying before judging and showing me your true heart. Draw me closer to Your loving heart. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Personal Reflection
How does seeing Jesus cry over Jerusalem change your thoughts about God's feelings toward our sins?
What parts of your life might be making God sad today?
Step of Faith
Today, I will think about what makes God cry in our world and in my life. I will take one small step toward the peace He offers me.
