Monday Of Holy Week Devotion| Jesus Weeps For Jerusalem
- Karen O'Reilly
- Apr 14
- 5 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
As we enter the second day of Holy Week, our hearts are still stirred by the joy of Palm Sunday—Jesus riding into Jerusalem as crowds shouted “Hosanna!” But beneath the surface of celebration was a Savior with a heavy heart.
On Holy Monday, we see a different side of Jesus—a compassionate, grieving Savior who weeps over a city that rejected Him. This powerful moment, recorded in Luke 19:41–48, reveals so much about Jesus’ heart—not just for Jerusalem then but for us today.
In this excerpt from my Bible study Redeemed By The Cross (available on Amazon and in the Scriptural Grace Bible Study Library), we’ll reflect on why Jesus wept, what it reveals about His love, and how His cleansing of the temple challenges us to pursue holiness in our own lives.
Let’s walk with Jesus today, with our Monday Of Holy Week devotion, and let His tears speak to us.
Monday Of Holy Week Devotion| Jesus Weeps For Jerusalem
As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”
Jesus at the Temple
45 When Jesus entered the temple courts, he began to drive out those who were selling. 46 “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be a house of prayer’[a]; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’[b]”
47 Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him. 48 Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words. Luke 19:41-48.
Jesus Weeps For Jerusalem
As Jesus enters Jerusalem for the last time, we see His deep compassion for the people.
"As He approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it." (Luke 19:41)
Jesus knew what was coming—His unjust trial, the crucifixion, and the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. But He wasn’t just grieving over these events; He was weeping because the people rejected Him and His peace.
Jesus longed for them to turn to Him—just as He longs for us to seek Him today.
Why Did Jesus Weep?
The people were religious but had hard hearts – They were self-righteous, stubborn, and unwilling to recognize their need for a Savior.
They missed the opportunity for peace – Jesus offered them supernatural peace, but they rejected Him.
Jesus foresaw the destruction of Jerusalem – The siege of 70 AD was horrific, just as Jesus predicted.
Jesus’ heart is still the same today—He desires that none should perish, but that all would turn to Him.
Cleansing the Temple: A Call to Holiness
Later in this passage, Jesus enters the Temple and drives out the money changers.
"It is written," He said to them, "My house will be a house of prayer; but you have made it a den of robbers."
(Luke 19:46)
The Temple was meant to be a place of worship, but people had turned it into a marketplace for profit.
Jesus’ actions remind us that God desires holiness, purity, and a sincere heart.
Today, we are God’s temple (1 Corinthians 6:19)—He calls us to reflect His holiness in our lives.
Jesus was passionate about true worship. Are we?
Devotional
What areas of your life need Jesus's peace and holiness?
Do you have friends or family who need to know the peace of Jesus?
Are there areas in your life that need cleansing, just like Jesus cleansed the Temple?
How can you be a good representative of Christ in your daily life?
Lent & Easter Journey
Jesus is full of compassion—even when people reject Him, He still longs for them to know His peace.
Jesus desires holiness—He calls us to live lives that honor Him.
Easter reminds us of God’s ultimate plan—Jesus wept for Jerusalem, but He still chose the cross for our salvation.
Today, let’s remember Jesus’ love for us and live in a way that reflects Him.
Challenge
Pray for those in your life who need to know Jesus’ peace.
Ask God to soften their hearts and open their eyes to His truth.
Examine your own heart—is there anything you need to confess before God?
Commit to living in a way that honors Him, even when you fall short.
Prayer
Father, I thank You that You long for all people to know You and experience Your peace. Help me to be a faithful representative of You. Show me areas in my life that need cleansing, and fill me with a heart of worship. May I bring Your peace to those around me today. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Further Study
2 Peter 3:9 – The Lord is patient, not wanting anyone to perish but all to come to repentance.
Matthew 5:14-16 – Let your light shine before others so that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
John 14:27 – Jesus gives us peace, not as the world gives.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – You are God’s temple; honor Him with your life.
Psalm 51:10 – Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Redeemed By The Cross - Lent/Easter Devotional Study for Women
You can get the full 43-day devotional in one place by purchasing the book on Amazon or grabbing the PDF version here. It’s a beautiful way to prepare your heart and reflect deeply on the meaning of the cross and resurrection. It comes with plenty of space to journal and prayer prompts!
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Let’s walk this Holy Week together—each day bringing us prayerfully closer to the cross... and to the empty tomb.
Tomorrow, we will consider the events of Day 3 - The Mystery Of The Fig Tree.
Holy Week Devotionals:
Day 1 – Palm Sunday - The King Has Come!
Day 2 – Monday - Jesus Weeps For Jerusalem.
Day 3 – Tuesday - The Mystery of the Fig Tree.
Day 4 – Wednesday - The Authority of Jesus.
Day 5 – Maundy Thursday - The Last Supper & Gethsemane.
Day 6 – Good Friday - Jesus’ Trial and Crucifixion.
Day 7 – Holy Saturday - The Silence of Saturday.
Day 8 – Resurrection Sunday - He Is Risen!
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Blessings,
Karen xo.
