Jesus wept?

Heartbroken, rejected by Jerusalem…again

“And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.”  Genesis 6:6.

God is love.  His heart is tender and sensitive, although this does not make Him weak or “spineless.”  He retains His Kingly majesty, power, and holiness.  These make His love all the more remarkable.  He certainly does not have to love us.  By all rights, He should not have to take abuse from anyone. How far had humanity gone before the flood?  How much rejection and willful evil did it take to break the heart of almighty God? Another translation says, “His heart was filled with pain.”  This was the same Heart that later did not spare His only Son for sinners.  What evil had these people done to cause Him to regret even having created them?  Apparently humanity was not grieved over its sin, but God was.

This verse paints a terrible picture of One who is wise, loving, powerful, One Who could snuff man out of existence with a single command.  But He chose to risk the possibility of rejection by creating free agents. A similar scene was repeated thousands of years later as Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem, His city, the city that had rejected Him in the past, the city that was about to crucify Him.  But He chose to continue with the Father’s plan of redemption, to give His life “a ransom for many.” God’s heart is tender and merciful. David was a man “after God’s heart.” He knew that “His mercy is great.” I am humbled by His Heart.

Hey, wait! I thought He was supposed to be meek!

A chaotic scene, coins crashing on the floor, and people scrambling to pick them up.

Jesus entered Jerusalem meek and lowly, as prophesied, but what He saw just outside the temple sickened Him. Godly people who came to worship, pray, and give offerings were being cheated out of their money at the entrance to His Father’s House of Prayer. The high priest and the ruling council were scamming sincere believers. They required temple money for offerings, so Jews from other countries had to get their foreign money changed for a “fee.”

Should God have been happy with this den of thieves? Maybe Jesus should have just said, “Come on, guys, be nice!”

This scene is often cited by those who want to discredit Jesus for “losing His temper.” Tch, tch, Jesus, chill out! Actually, it is a picture of divine restraint. He could have vaporized all the money changers and their coins by calling fire down from heaven. But He didn’t. He restrained Himself.

It’s hard to see an omnipotent God as meek, but He is. He is not a bombastic, boisterous show-off. He uses His unlimited power wisely and discretely. His meekness is evident in His dealings with children, whom He hold in His arms and blesses. He is merciful and mighty, fearsome but safe, consuming fire but soothing wind…to believers. But religious fakes and corrupt powerbrokers beware! Your day of judgment is scheduled!