"Why Is Jesus Weeping? - Part III"
Dr. Rick Flanders

READ Luke 19:41

If Jesus was about to do exactly what He wanted to do, why would He weep? If He had chosen to destroy Jerusalem, why would He weep over it? What tragedy would there be in a sinner’s rejection of God’s mercy if he could do nothing else?

The choices of man do play a role in his redemption or destruction. Of Jerusalem, Jesus said,

“. . .how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!”
(Matthew 23:37 and Luke 13:34)

Jesus “would,” but they “would not.” The tragedy over which Jesus is weeping is the tragedy of lost opportunity. The people of the holy city missed the opportunity to be saved because of foolish and wicked decisions they made! Their Savior came to their city, but they would not have Him!

A willing heart makes the difference between “peace” (Luke 19:42) and destruction (Luke 19:43-44). It was true for Jerusalem, and it is true for the individual soul. If you will decide to turn from sin and self-righteousness in order to trust in Jesus Christ for your salvation, the Bible says that you will be saved! Of the first-century Israelites, Paul said that . . .

“. . .they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. . .For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
(Romans 10:3-4, 10-13)

A decision of the heart will secure one’s own salvation, and also a decision in the Christian heart will lead to the salvation of others! If Christians surrender to do their Father’s will, a harvest of lost souls can be won to Christ who would not otherwise have been saved. Hear what Jesus said to His disciples after personally leading a sinner to salvation.

“My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.”
(John 4:34-35)

The willingness of Christians to evangelize and of sinners to repent does make the difference in the matter of who will spend eternity with God and who will suffer forever without Him. The unwillingness of men creates the tragedy of lost opportunity over which Jesus is weeping in the Book of Luke.