We’ve come to the text, where Jesus laments over Jerusalem! At some point, after he left the Temple compound, Jesus must have stopped and turned toward the Temple and lamented over the city, because of its impending judgment, due to the stand it had taken this day. Earlier in the day, as he approached Jerusalem in the morning, he wept over the city, because the people didn’t know those things that would bring them peace (Luke 19:41). We know they didn’t know, because they embraced the Pharisaical teaching of a messiah who couldn’t die, but went on from victory to victory (John 12:32-34; cp. Matthew 16:21-22). Jesus, however, warned them to embrace the Light, while they yet see the light, or else darkness would engulf them (John 12:35). Nevertheless, they didn’t believe Jesus’ words, evidenced in their not coming out to greet him and bring him into Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-42; cp. John 12:36), as they had done, the previous day (John 12:12-16).
Now, one day after his triumphant entry, as he was leaving Jerusalem, Jesus turned about and repeated his prophecy/judgment for a second time (Matthew 23:37-38; cp. 23:35-36), which, in the context of the second, alarmed his disciples, according to Matthew 24:1. Yet, Jesus appeared to be resolved in his judgment of the city (Matthew 24:2) to their utter astonishment!
Therefore, as he was leaving the city, Jesus lamented, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem…” literally meaning foundation of peace, but, acting against its name, slew the prophets and stoned the righteous folks sent by God to correct them. The word of God, the correction of God was rejected by the capital city of the Jewish nation, almost continually, throughout its history. Yet, throughout its history, Jesus, as the God of the Mosaic Covenant, longed to gather its people under his wings (cp. Ruth 2:12; Psalm 17:8; 57:1), just as a hen would gather its chicks under her wings in the times of danger (Matthew 23:37). Nevertheless, the people wouldn’t have it. They had developed their own worldview of a God/Messiah who protected them according to their own method of dealing with evil or according to how they understood a given situation.[1] They didn’t want God to be God and come under his wings of protection. Instead, they saw themselves as gods (authorities, movers and shakers of society) and wanted the God’s almighty power at their subjective disposal.
Therefore, Jesus said (since you reject me as your Temple) **your** House, vis-à-vis **your** Temple is left to you desolate, vis-à-vis a wilderness, a desert, empty of the Presence of God, because the people had rejected the Presence of Jesus, the Presence of God dwelling with them in flesh (John 1:1, 14); they rejected their Messiah in favor of an imaginary one, wrapped up in a false doctrine (cp. John 12:34). In doing so, they made their House of God a common place, where men, and only men, dwelt. Such a house would be easily destroyed (Matthew 23:38), because it was built by men and hadn’t the protection of God. Thus, Jesus now said, in judgment, “You shall not see me henceforth…” vis-à-vis they rejected his Presence, therefore his Presence in the Temple is withdrawn, utterly and completely. That is, Jesus walked out of the Temple compound and the Shekinah Glory[2] no longer had a place in the House within the Temple compound. In other words, the Presence of God is lost to the nation and will not be restored until **you** vis-à-vis the nation or the people of the nation, repent and come out of the world (cp. John 12:12-13) and welcome him who comes in the name of the Lord! (Matthew 23:39).
[1] To this we can compare Jesus’ three temptations. You’ll be my God/Messiah, if you make sure I have enough, fill me according to my expectations (Matthew 4:3). You’ll be my God/Messiah, if you give me a miraculous sign, according to my desire (Matthew 4:4-6). You’ll be my God/Messiah, if you will do everything I ask (Matthew 4:8-9).
[2] The Shekinah Glory answers to the Holy Spirit, which indwells the believer.
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