NR 25
November 25
Luke 23:27-31. The weeping women.
Though so many insulted our Lord in his last hours, yet a great company bewailed him. This troop was composed chiefly of women. Apostles had been afraid to let it be known that they belonged to Jesus, but these women were not afraid to let their tears be seen.
Apostles had failed to watch with him one hour; but these women, unasked, accompanied him on his way to the cross.
Jesus valued sympathy. He condescended to notice these mourners. He turned and spoke to them. What a moment it was when their Savior's failing eyes rested upon them! How eagerly they must have listened to his words, fearing they were the last they should ever hear from his lips.
He knew how soon his sufferings would be over, and how great the joy that would follow; therefore he said, "Weep not for me." He also knew what long and bitter woes were coming upon the Jewish nation; therefore he said to the women, "Weep for yourselves and for your children." Perhaps some of those little children who had sung his praises in the temple now accompanied their mothers, and wept with them. It grieved the Savior's compassionate heart to think of the sorrows that awaited them, as well as their parents; for he knew the future history of each person in the company. When children are born into prosperous families they are welcomed as blessings, but they were regarded as curses in the horrors of the siege of Jerusalem. Nothing can give us an idea of greater misery than the cry, "Fall on us," addressed to hills and mountains. Such misery the Jews began to endure, when, forty years after the crucifixion of their king, the Romans besieged their city.
What is the meaning of the words, "If they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry!" In the prophet Ezekiel there is a little parable, in which the Jewish nation is compared to a forest, and the anger of God to a fire. (Ezek. 20:47.) A fire quickly destroys dry trees, but green trees less easily. Dry trees represent the wicked, who are prepared for destruction; green trees the righteous. God gives this explanation of Ezekiel's parable—"Say to the land of Israel, Behold, I am against you, and will draw forth my sword out of his sheath, and will cut off from you the righteous and the wicked." (Ezek. 21:3.) When Jesus, therefore, spoke of a green tree, he meant himself; and when he spoke of a dry tree, his enemies. This seems to be the explanation of his words. "If they (that is, the Romans) treat me who am innocent so cruelly, what will be done to the GUILTY!"
But why did Jesus speak of these calamities to the weeping women? Did he desire to wound those hearts already bleeding with sorrow for his sufferings? No! but in his mercy he gave a last warning to his enemies. A pious father, before he leaves this world, if he be able, summons all his children around his dying bed, and while he comforts some, he warns others of approaching judgments. His words, unheeded before, often sink deep into the heart at this solemn season. The dying Savior longed to save his enemies from impending destruction. He had often warned them in the temple, and they would not hear; now he warns them on his way to Calvary. But are the Jews the only people who will ever say to the mountains, "Fall on us?" Not so; all in every age, of every nation, of every rank, who have not believed in the crucified Savior, will be filled with terror when they see him coming in the clouds of heaven. If now we will say to Jesus, "Pardon us," we shall never say to the mountains, "Fall on us."