Dominus Flevit, which translates from Latin as “The Lord Wept”, was fashioned in the shape of a teardrop to symbolize the tears of Christ. Here, according to the 19th chapter of the Gospel of Luke, Jesus, while walking toward the city of Jerusalem, becomes overwhelmed by the beauty of the Second Temple and predicting its future destruction, and the diaspora of the Jewish people, weeps openly. (Luke 19:37-42)
One of the newest churches in Jerusalem, Dominus Flevit sits atop an ancient site. During construction of the sanctuary archaeologists uncovered artifacts dating back to the Canaanite period, as well as tombs from both the Second Temple and Byzantine eras. Wikipedia
But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep.
“Man of Sorrows” James B. Janknegt (1990)
“How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes. Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you from every side. They will crush you into the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you did not accept your opportunity for salvation.”
O Yahweh, God Almighty, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and Father of all who confess with their mouths and believe in their hearts that Jesus is Lord; We pray for the Peace of Jerusalem. We pray, that by your sovereign mercy and grace, you would visit the land of Israel with your powerful presence.
We pray you would restrain the diabolical evil, and contain the demonic violence present in the land. We pray you would confirm the decisions and policies of the elected leadership, the Knesset and the courts, that are in keeping with your perfect will. We pray you would purge from leadership positions, and constrain the excesses of those who will not submit to your will.
“O God, do not keep silent; be not quiet, O God, be not still. See how your enemies are astir, how your foes rear their heads. With cunning they conspire against your people. They plot against those you cherish. ‘Come’, they say, ‘let us destroy them as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more.’ With one mind they plot together; they form an alliance against you. … Let them know that you, whose name is Yahweh — that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.”
For you, our Father, have declared, “If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill. May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy.”
“Can a mother forget the baby nursing at her breast or have no compassion on the child of her womb? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.”
We pray O Yahweh, a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity. O God, we who call upon the name of Yahweh, will give ourselves no rest – and will give you no rest, till you establish Jerusalem and make her a praise in all the earth. Be pleased to hasten the day when all Israel will cry out, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of Yahweh.”
Hear our prayer O Yahweh, for we pray in the strong name of Jesus our Redeemer and Messiah, our risen, reigning and returning Prince of Peace. Amen and Amen
Spiritual Song:“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem” – Jose and Kathy Jimenez
After telling this story, Jesus went on toward Jerusalem, walking ahead of his disciples. As he came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives, he sent two disciples ahead. “Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying that colt?’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it.’”
So they went and found the colt, just as Jesus had said. And sure enough, as they were untying it, the owners asked them, “Why are you untying that colt?”
Palm Sunday pilgrims enter Jerusalem though St. Stephen’s Gate (March 28, 2010)
And the disciples simply replied, “The Lord needs it.” So they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it for him to ride on.
As he rode along, the crowds spread out their garments on the road ahead of him. When he reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen.
“Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!”
But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!”
He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!”
Prayer: Lord Jesus – Fill me with an overwhelming sense of joy for all the wonderful things you have done… in me, around me, and through me. May I sing and shout your praises now… and forever. Amen.
For more than 60 years, George Beverly Shea had carried the Gospel in song to every continent and state in the Union through Billy Graham’s Crusades. As the musical mainstay in Graham’s crusades, Shea was often called “America’s Beloved Gospel Singer,” and was also considered, “the first international singing ‘star’ of the gospel world.” Through music and the proclamation of the Word, Bev Shea and Mr. Graham have shared the saving faith of Jesus Christ to millions.(via)
CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 16, 2013 – George Beverly Shea, 104, of Montreat, North Carolina, soloist of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), died this evening following a brief illness.
Since George Beverly Shea first sang for Graham in 1943 on the Chicago radio hymn program, “Songs in the Night,” Shea has faithfully carried the Gospel in song to every continent and every state in the Union. Graham’s senior by ten years…
The crowd was listening to everything Jesus said. And because he was nearing Jerusalem, he told them a story to correct the impression that the Kingdom of God would begin right away. He said,“A nobleman was called away to a distant empire to be crowned king and then return. Before he left, he called together ten of his servants and divided among them ten pounds of silver, saying, ‘Invest this for me while I am gone.’ But his people hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We do not want him to be our king.’
“After he was crowned king, he returned and called in the servants to whom he had given the money. He wanted to find out what their profits were. The first servant reported, ‘Master, I invested your money and made ten times the original amount!’
“‘Well done!’ the king exclaimed. ‘You are a good servant. You have been faithful with the little I entrusted to you, so you will be governor of ten cities as your reward.’
“The next servant reported, ‘Master, I invested your money and made five times the original amount.’
“‘Well done!’ the king said. ‘You will be governor over five cities.’
“But the third servant brought back only the original amount of money and said, ‘Master, I hid your money and kept it safe. I was afraid because you are a hard man to deal with, taking what isn’t yours and harvesting crops you didn’t plant.’
“‘You wicked servant!’ the king roared. ‘Your own words condemn you. If you knew that I’m a hard man who takes what isn’t mine and harvests crops I didn’t plant, why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’
“Then, turning to the others standing nearby, the king ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one who has ten pounds.’
“‘But, master,’ they said, ‘he already has ten pounds!’
“‘Yes,’ the king replied, ‘and to those who use well what they are given, even more will be given. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. And as for these enemies of mine who didn’t want me to be their king—bring them in and execute them right here in front of me.’”
Prayer:Heavenly Father – All that I have comes from you… gifts, abilities, opportunities, family, fortune and friendships… they are all given to me, in trust, with the expectation that I will utilize them to advance your Kingdom purposes. Lord Jesus – Keep my eyes on you… your life, death and resurrection… my King and my Lord. Holy Spirit – Mold me, make me, fill me, use me. I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me; Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Since George Beverly Shea first sang for Graham in 1943 on the Chicago radio hymn program, “Songs in the Night,” Shea has faithfully carried the Gospel in song to every continent and every state in the Union. Graham’s senior by ten years…
The Peanut Gallery 