Luke 19:28-44… “As He approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it 42 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. … because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”
In other words, “You didn’t recognize Me and what I came to give you.”
To appreciate why Jesus wept, let’s go back 1,000 years before Christ to the reign of King David and one of the worst episodes in Bible history: David and Bathsheba.
What does this have to do with why Jesus wept? Because what David pleaded for in Psalm 51, which was written in response to his great sin, is what Jesus came to earth to give all mankind, beginning with Israel. But they didn’t recognize it – and they rejected Him.
What did David want, that Jesus came to give?
Text: Psalm 51:1-19
1. Forgiveness of sins.
David asks for “washing” twice in verse 2 and verse 7
- Titus 3:4-8 (NIV) “washing of rebirth”
- Titus 3:5 (Message Version) … “He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit.”
David said, “My sin is ever before me” (verse 3)
- Hebrews 8:12 (NIV) For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”
- 2 Corinthians 5:19 (NIV) that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them.
David asked, “Blot out all my iniquity…” (verse 9)
- Colossians 2:13-14 (KJV) 13 …forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
God not only forgave our sins. He tore up the indictment.
2. A heart and spirit that desires to be godly.
He asks, “ 10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Also verse 12, … “grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”)
- Ephesians 4:24 (NIV) put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
3. Security in his relationship with God.
David pleads, “Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.”
- John 14:16-17 I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever–
- Ephesians 1:13-14 (NIV) Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession–to the praise of his glory.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
- Philippians 2:13 (NIV) for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
- “Thank You, Lord, for working in me and giving me the desire to be aligned with Your will and Your ways.”
4. A real testimony, not just religious talk.
13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.
- 2 Corinthians 5:20 (NIV) We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors,
5. Grace
14 Save me from bloodguilt, O God… 16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise..
- Hebrews 4:14-16 (NIV) let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,… Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
- Hebrews 10:11-12 (NIV) this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.
And all of this is just the beginning. Once there is forgiveness there are no barriers to God making Himself known to us personally, no restrictions on our access to Him. He wants us to enjoy His awesomeness and His love for us.
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