Luke 19:41, God Can’t Hold Back Tears
As [Jesus] approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it
//The story of this verse begins hundreds of years earlier. God appears to the prophet Ezekiel with this message:
“Son of man, with one blow I am about to take away from you the delight of your eyes. Yet do not lament or weep or shed any tears. –Ezekiel 24:16
God is talking about Ezekiel’s wife. God is about to unleash Israel’s enemies on Jerusalem, destroying his metaphorical bride. (In several places in the Old Testament, and in the book of Revelation, Jerusalem is presented metaphorically as the bride of God). But God is determined not to cry over his dead bride, and he insists that Ezekiel not weep over his wife, either. Ezekiel’s refusal to weep becomes a silent prophecy that God would not weep over Jerusalem.
So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. The next morning I did as I had been commanded. –Ezekiel 24:18
Jerusalem was destroyed, and God wept not. But hundreds of years later, God comes down to earth as Jerusalem is about to be destroyed again. This time, he sees Jerusalem from the vantage point of a man. God (Jesus) sees Jerusalem in its pitiful state, knows its destiny is to again be slaughtered, and this time around cannot help but weep for his bride.
Fantasy Football, Anyone?
Put on the whole uniform of the Team, that ye may be able to stand against the blitz of oncoming linebackers. Don the hip pads of truth, the shoulder pads of righteousness, the cleats of preparation. Don’t forget the facemask of faith and the helmet of salvation. Then clutch the pigskin with much Spirit, for that is what the Play Book of your Coach in Heaven demands.The River of Life
Twice before Lee Harmon has written about Christian topics, once on the gospel of John and once on the book of Revelation. But the question people keep asking him is this: As a liberal Christian, why do you care so much about the Bible? Others wonder whether he is truly a Christian at all.
The Way It Happened
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| Revelation: A love story gone awry. | The Gospel: A love story set aright. |
What really happened 2,000 years ago? How did a persecuted minority of end-time believers known as Christians, with their dreams of Armageddon and a conquering Messiah named Jesus, evolve into the largest religion in the world? Author Lee Harmon explores the period in which the New Testament was written in his books about John's Gospel and Revelation.
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The God Show
Lee Harmon interviewed on The God Show about the History Channel's miniseries The Bible and Lee's latest book, John's Gospel: The Way It Happened.
About Lee
Hello! I'm an author, historical Jesus scholar, book reviewer, and liberal Christian, which means I appreciate and attempt to exercise the humanitarian teachings of Jesus without getting hung up on any particular supernatural or religious beliefs.
The Bible is a magnificent book that has inspired and spiritually fed generations for thousands of years, and each new century seems to bring a deeper understanding of life’s purpose. This is true of not only Christianity; through the years, our age-old religions are slowly transforming from superstitious rituals into humanitarian philosophies. In short, we are growing up, and I am thrilled to be riding the wave.
I avidly read all thought-provoking religion titles. New authors: I'd love to read and review your book!
Contact me here.
About Leslie
Hi! While Lee writes the articles and reviews the books, I edit, organize, and maintain the blog. The views expressed here are Lee's but I'm his biggest supporter! :-)
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