PALM SUNDAY’S TEARS TODAY
The praises and palm branches of Psalm Sunday’s crowd when Jesus entered Jerusalem are remembered at this time of year but many forget the tears of Jesus over what that sacred city would face in the years ahead. Jerusalem means “city of peace” but the history of that embattled city is one of war and destruction and today it is the location of the most volatile political, religious, economic and military problem on the planet…so the tears continue. Interestingly, the Hebrew prophet, Zechariah, foretold this worldwide focus on the woes of Jerusalem and the alarm they would bring to the world in our time (Zechariah 12:2-3). David Grossman, while living in Israel, once wrote the following in a letter to the editor of Newsweek: “Fear masters everything; when you walk down the street you inspect all those who pass you with, as we say in Hebrew, seven eyes. Every decision is a fateful one. Everything is so fragile.” He said even making his way down a main street in Jerusalem that he had traveled since boyhood he found his mind cutting the landscape in pieces, looking for some source of danger. No wonder Jesus wept. Fear is a miserable master and to some degree this enemy stalks us all, wherever we live, bringing depression, stifling ability, draining energy, diminishing courage and robbing life of adventure and success. When fear is in control, we, like Grossman, are constantly scanning the landscape in search of anything that might harm us. Familiar sights and sounds become sentinels that continually warn us of impending disasters, keeping us ever on high alert. Even a ringing telephone can place one under fear’s control, dreading what unwelcome words may dwell at the bell. What breaks fear’s bondage? Faith in Palm Sunday’s weeping one. Faith and fear are opposites. And faith always enlists prayer to summon its faithful protector. The tears of Jesus on Palm Sunday, as He descended into Jerusalem, revealed His love for those who faced terrible things in the future. Ahead lay His betrayal by Judas, a mock trial before spineless Pilate and the crucifixion. Yet His tears that day weren’t for himself but for other suffering ones. “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem,” pleaded the psalmist (Psalm 122:6), and this ancient call to prayer is as needed today as it was when it was first issued. Will peace finally come to Jerusalem? Yes! Prayers will be answered and prophetic promises of peace fulfilled (Isaiah 62). Can we find peace as individuals? Absolutely! The One who stilled a stormy sea has a “Peace be still” for you and me.
Roger Campbell MinistriesPO Box 301004 Waterford MI. 48330248-623-6882 (Office Hours 9:00 AM-5:00 PM [eastern time] Monday through Friday)
Roger Campbell is an author, broadcaster and columnist and has been a pastor for over 22 years.He can be reached at rcministry@ameritech.net
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