
I want you to picture the scene when Jesus is about to enter into Jerusalem for the last time. This is found in Luke 19:41-44.
Jesus is not going into Jerusalem alone. He is with His disciples and many other pilgrims who have taken the long journey from Galilee to celebrate the Passover in Jerusalem. Nearing the city, their route descends the west slope of the Mount of Olives, and they will cross the Kidron Valley and then climb into the city, to the temple. As they approach the city, Jesus instructs His disciples to borrow a donkey for Him to ride on. And this is not because He is tired from the long journey. But they all see the symbolic meaning of this, recalling what was written in Zechariah 9:9, which says “See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey.” So they set the stage for the triumphal return of a victorious king. The road is lined with cloaks and palm fronds, and people greet Jesus as He passes by with their Hosanna chorus, as if celebrating the arrival of the Messiah.(https://www.bibleref.com/Luke/19/Luke-19-41.html)
But wait, as the walls of Jerusalem come into view, Jesus stops, takes in the view of the city and He is overcome with emotion, and cannot hold back his tears. He knows that in a few days, He shall meet His executioners and be crucified. But He is saddened not because of this pending crucifixion, but He is sad for Jerusalem, because though they had an opportunity to recognize the Messiah in Him, they refused to acknowledge this and would not believe.
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