O Jerusalem, O Jerusalem!

Have you ever been around some Christians who think they are better than others?

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not have it! New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Lk 13:34.

These words cry out from Heaven and from the mouth of Jesus. On this last visit to the city of Jerusalem, Jesus cries these words out to those around Him in the temple area. His heart is broken to what He sees around Him.

"The disciples are elate with pride as they gaze upon this national structure, the glory of their country, and are happy as thoughtless men are won't to be; the heart of Jesus is heavy with the sadness of wisdom and prescience, and of love that would have saved, but, can now do nothing but weep, and proclaim the awful words of doom." A. B. Bruce, The Training of the Twelve, pg. 332.

So what does this have to do with the question I asked at the very beginning of this post? 

You see the nation of Israel, with Jerusalem being its capital city, had fallen into disrepair in the spiritual sense. The pride of the religious leaders (the Pharisees, Herodians, and other religious leaders) had driven the city into a sense of delusion.

Bruce explains why. "The direct object of the speaker (Jesus) was not to expose the blind guides of Israel, but to save from delusion the people whom they were misguiding to their ruin. The audience consisted of the disciples and the multitude who heard Him gladly. It is most probable that many of the blind guides were present; and it would make no difference to Jesus whether that were or not, for He had not two ways of speaking concerning men- one before their faces, another behind their backs." Bruce, pg. 330.

In churches, even in my own experiences, there are people who always seem to be the holy ones. They aren't even afraid to show you how much better they are! The problem with this is that they only appear to be.. 

When Jesus looks at the city of Jerusalem during this period, He is in the city for the last time and what does He see? He sees a former city. Rocks piled on top of rocks. He sees its future and laments over the coming doom. What else does He see? He sees a group of people who claim to be the "holy ones" who are taking advantage of them and the temple for their own purposes and ambitions. He is passionately angry with the ones who are misguiding the crowd. Those who will gladly and eagerly accept their messages. They are leading the sheep to the slaughter; and the sheep eagerly follow the leaders.

And so the words of Jesus echo throughout history, "O Jerusalem, O Jerusalem!"

I read an article this week published by Billy Graham. He said that our nation is a very blessed nation, but is headed for a rough time which is going to involve persecution before very much longer. Especially in the Christian faith. He challenged every believer to stay in The Word, but to deeply study it for life-changing experiences. He said if we only casually study The Word of God, we will falter when the time of persecution comes. Then he says, will our faith truly be seen...people will deny their Lord so they won't have to die.

Perseverance in the faith, involves knowing the full Gospel, not just pretending like those who pretend to be holy. This is what happened in the Temple with the leaders in Jesus day. They were pretending to be what they were not; and while they did, they took all the innocents with them in their sins and Jesus hated it. 

I challenge you today not to become a blind innocent. Take your faith to the next level and be ready. Ready for a faith that can be tested and true. 

Your faith in the future is going to be tested... Don't be one of the people who blindly follow those who appear to be leading. Let Jesus lead you into a personal and real relationship!