In the New Testament, one of the poignant moments in the ministry of Jesus Christ is His lament over Jerusalem. This event is recorded in the Gospels and reflects Jesus' deep sorrow and compassion for the city and its people, who have repeatedly rejected the prophets and, ultimately, Him as the Messiah.

Biblical Context

The lamentation occurs as Jesus is making His way to Jerusalem, aware of the impending suffering and crucifixion that await Him. This moment is captured in the Gospel of Matthew 23:37-39 and Luke 13:34-35. In these passages, Jesus expresses His heartfelt grief over Jerusalem's history of rejecting God's messengers and His own desire to gather its people to Himself.

Scriptural Account

In Matthew 23:37-39 , Jesus declares:

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see Me again until you say, 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.'"

Similarly, in Luke 13:34-35 , the lament is echoed:

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! Look, your house is abandoned. And I tell you, you will not see Me until you say, 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.'"

Theological Significance

Jesus' lament over Jerusalem is rich with theological significance. It underscores His role as the compassionate Savior who longs for the repentance and salvation of His people. The imagery of a hen gathering her chicks under her wings conveys a deep, nurturing love and a desire to protect and care for the people of Jerusalem.

The lament also serves as a prophetic warning. Jesus foretells the desolation that will come upon the city due to its persistent unbelief and rejection of God's messengers. This prophecy was historically fulfilled in A.D. 70 with the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the Romans.

Furthermore, the lament points to the eschatological hope of Jesus' return. The phrase "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord" is a messianic greeting, indicating that there will be a future recognition of Jesus as the Messiah by the people of Jerusalem.

Conclusion

Jesus' lament over Jerusalem is a profound expression of His love and sorrow for a city that has continually turned away from God's call. It highlights the tension between divine compassion and human resistance, while also offering a glimpse of hope for future redemption. This moment in Jesus' ministry invites believers to reflect on the importance of responding to God's call with faith and repentance, and it reassures them of Christ's enduring love and desire for reconciliation with His people.Matthew 23:37
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you that kill the prophets, and stone them which are sent to you, how often would I have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and you would not!
Nave's Topical Index

Luke 19:41-44
And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,
Nave's Topical Index

To Pammachius against John of Jerusalem.
... real questions, why do you pass over the points ... And the Apostle laments, saying,
[5028] "Wretched man that ... glorious advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/to pammachius against john of.htm

The Jewish World in the Days of Christ - the Jewish Dispersion in ...
The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah. ... CHAPTER I. THE JEWISH WORLD IN THE DAYS
OF CHRIST - THE JEWISH ... But from that day, laments a Rabbi, the glory of the ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter i the jewish world.htm

The Death and the Raising of Lazarus - the Question of Miracles ...
... That Friday and the next Sabbath Jesus rested in Bethany, with the ... [4790] In that
case Christ's inquiry would ... 4813] us 28 b, where also the text their laments. ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxi the death and.htm

Treatise i. On the Unity of the Church.
... Her fruitful abundance spreads her branches over the whole ... understands that he has
sinned, and laments and bewails it ... the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/treatise i on the unity.htm

Crucified, Dead, and Buried. '
... leaving their festive preparations, raised loud laments, not in ... impressed by the
titulus over the Cross of Christ. ... with what was known of Jesus, have raised ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xv crucified dead and.htm

The Flight into Egypt and St. John the Baptist in the Desert
... began to weep and moan, continuing their laments throughout the ... later I used often
to see Jesus' disciples making ... of their graves at the death of Christ, I saw ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xvi the flight into egypt.htm

Period iv. The Age of the Consolidation of the Church: 200 to 324 ...
... of Caesarea, and Narcissus, Bishop of Jerusalem, presided; also ... since God as judge
presides over the exacting and ... that there is one God, Jesus Christ; and that ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iv the age of.htm

The City of God. Index of Subjects.
... [773]158; Hermes laments the error ... Testament and the Old, [950]423, etc.; words of
Jesus respecting, [951 ... 447; to be effected in the person of Christ, [960]449 ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books /the city of god index.htm

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