The City

Jesus never wasted His tears, but He didn’t spare them either.

“And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it.” ~ Luke 19:41

In compassion and without regret.

Not naively, but tenderly, emotionally.

Realistically, but hopefully.

Jesus understood that chaos had replaced peace. And His prayer for shalom was real and authentic and compelling.

Jesus didn’t isolate or segregate in His prayer – He included the entire city. From the darkest corners of evil to the sweetest avenues of hope. Jesus prayed for it all.

His tears instruct our soul and inform our journey. The brokenness of our city should break our hearts. This is why God has placed His followers in the city.

Prayers of polarization only divide; and the truth of God’s love and mercy and hope serve to reconcile. First in the church and then overflowing into the culture.

“But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf. For in its welfare you will find your welfare.” ~ Jeremiah 29:7

Weep for your city. Grieve for the brokenness and evil and pain and poverty and injustice and corruption and arrogance. Repent for it. Beg on behalf of the exiles. Plead on behalf of the renegades.

For peace. For God’s peace. For restoration and revival.

It’s vogue to judge or rant or dismiss and condemn our city. There’s much to invite this kind of response… but from this posture the tears won’t flow.

Jesus invites us to weep. No posturing; no positioning. Tears. Lament.

For Denver. For Ferguson. For Houston. For Detroit. For Washington, DC…

For mercy. For peace.

For the brokenness of creation. From the heart of God.

Without despair. Without reservation. Tears.