Jesus is completely human, thoroughly human, and perfectly human. He is the picture of what humanity is supposed to be. Jesus models for us not just how we feel grief, but what should grieve us. 

Jerusalem is always a stand in symbol for the people of God (Israel). 

Peace-(Greek) eirene: state of wellbeing, living in harmonious relationships among nations and governments. Lack of war. 

(Hebrew) Shalom: inner stability and wellness, completeness, soundness, wholeness, secure and safe. Right relationship between creature and creator. 

-Everything is as it should be with God, neighbor, and creation. Psalm 23

Jesus says he came to bring this kind of peace and Israel rejected it. 

They didn’t think they were rejecting him, but they were chasing their own idea of peace and they just thought of Jesus as a tool in achieving it. They couldn’t even recognize that He WAS the peace they were craving. They don’t have to grab for peace through external control. With Him it would live inside them. 

What Jesu says in his weeping was fulfilled in the war of Jerusalem in 66-70AD. The peace they were pursuing headed straight into war and destruction. In 135 AD Jerusalem is destroyed a second time and completes the prophecy of Jesus. Jesus was mourning what he saw coming because of their rejection of him. 

In the US we love the “I told you so” and “serves you right” attitude towards our enemies. We also miss the source of peace in Jesus in the modern church. The amount of power grabbing, fear mongering, and political outrage today would suggest that Jesus is weeping over us as well. 

Vs 45-48 is not disconnected from Jesus weeping over Jerusalem. Jesus is prophetically pronouncing judgement over Israel and its religious leaders. 

Isaiah 56:6-7 Jesus hints at why he is angry. Access to God for the nations was being cut off and blocked by the market happening in the court of the Gentiles. Israel’s form of worship kept those who were curious about God from finding Him. Focus had been put on profit and power; on the show. 

This is a prophetic declaration. It is a symbolic action. Jesus is not trying to violently enact reform. 

We should have zeal for God’s house and avoiding the commercialization of the worship service. However, we act as though this moment of Jesus’ ministry was the norm and not a singular moment that had a prophetic purpose. 

We misunderstand what this is aimed at. We aim it outward and want to flip tables outside of the church. Jesus prophetic action was aimed at those who were on the inside. 

1. God is grieved when our hope becomes politicized. (My hope and peace is in winning.)

2. God is angered when our worship becomes commercialized. (When greed and influence become my priority.)

The authorities tried to accuse and get rid of Jesus, but they couldn’t find any fault in Him and people were hanging on His every word. They were inspecting the sacrificial lamb publicly. Jesus clears the temple and teaches publicly for the four days to be inspected and he is killed at twilight as our perfect sacrifice exactly when the Passover lambs were being sacrificed. 

Ex 12:1-6