“And there followed Him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for Him. But turning to them Jesus said, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold, the days are coming when they will say, “Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!” … For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?'”
(Luke 23:27-29, 31 ESV)
It always amazes me how much care Jesus shows for the people around Him, even on the way to His own death. The women of Jerusalem have come out to weep and lament for Him. But when Jesus sees them, He is grieved for them. Some of them will see the day when the Romans come to destroy the city and the temple. Some will doubtless lose children to the war, or even die themselves.
Jesus connects their suffering to His own. If He, the very Son of God, must suffer and die on a cross now, although He is innocent of any wrongdoing—what evils will happen to these people when the living presence of God is no longer physically among them? It will be like a wildfire sweeping through dry brush.
So is there any hope for them? Yes, the same hope that we have. For Jesus’ death is not the end. On the third day He will rise, never to die again—and He will share that hope and victory with everyone who trusts in Him. The promise is for everyone—these women, their children—you and me.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, when I am facing a situation with no hope, give Your hope and life to me. Amen.
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Originally published in The Lutheran Hour on April 9, 2022
Used by permission from International Lutheran Laymen’s League, all rights reserved
Reflection Questions:
* Do you think any of these people were among the first Christian believers?
* Have you ever felt hopeless?
* How did God care for you during that time?