Day 89 Holy Week - Day 1

 

3/30/2026

"Now as He drew near, He saw the city

and wept over it."

Luke 19:41

 

When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, He was greeted with the crowds waving palm leaves, laying clothing on the street, shouting "Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest!" The Pharisees and religious leaders tried to force Jesus to silence those who welcomed Him, but He responded to them, "I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out." (Luke 19:40) In Matthew's account, the chief priests and scribes were indignant when the children were heard crying out in the temple and saying "Hosanna to the Son of David!" (Matthew 21:15). Jesus silenced them with words found in Psalm 8:2, "Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise." The religious leaders knew that they were welcoming Messiah, recognizing Jesus as King, because scripture said that God had established an everlasting covenant with David, and that the Messiah would rule from Zion. Jesus rightly said to them that they "strain out a gnat and swallow a camel." Isaiah 53 is never read in the synagogues. One portion of the Old Testament erased. Interesting and sad for supposed scholars who spent their entire lives studying the law of Moses.

In the midst of the praise and celebration, Jesus wept, because He knew what would happen, and He lamented that they did not know the hour of their visitation. I wonder how much has really changed? I am not speaking of Israel, although for the most part they do not recognize Jesus as their Messiah. It has always baffled me how spiritually blind people can be when the whole of scripture speaks of Jesus. I'm sure that if Jesus rode into many cities, He would wept. 

When the Pharisees asked Jesus about the kingdom of God, desiring to know when this would happen, Jesus answered them by saying: "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17:20-21) He told them that before anything happened, man would search for Him, but He would not be found. He spoke of His suffering and rejection by that generation. "And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man. They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all." What Jesus is saying is that life will be business as usual when He comes, but I wouldn't want to be caught in that position doing "what every man considers right," when Jesus returns. And yet, this is not being taught. 

My prayer for the nation of Israel, for my own nation, and for those around the world is that God will divinely visit each person, shining the Light of His Presence al over us, that we would finally see our sin in all its ugliness and repent. We have been praying for a mighty outpouring of God's Spirit on all flesh, and that all would be drawn to Him. May the people of Israel, God's Chosen People, recognize their King!

This morning I was swept away up into worship with my King of Glory, while visiting Jesus Image and playing the song "Only the Blood of Jesus Christ." I believe it to be sufficient for the day: 

"Blood of Christ
Wash over me
Wash over me
Though sin has stained me

Blood of Christ
Come speak for me
My covering
It is Your Glory

CHORUS
We need the Blood
We plead the Blood
Receive the Blood
The Blood of Christ

We need the Blood
We plead the Blood
Receive the Blood
The Blood of Christ

VERSE

Perfect Lamb
And Highest Priest
Poured out Yourself
For all to drink

The Offerer
And Offering
You took the cup
And so will we

CHORUS
We need the Blood
We plead the Blood
Receive the Blood
The Blood of Christ

BRIDGE
What tore the veil
What empties hell
What never fails
Only the Blood

What testifies
What prophesies
Your Death is Life
Only the Blood"

May we all be waiting in anticipation for the day of the Lord, the return of Messiah, when He will split the eastern sky, and all will know, every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Lord of all!