Biblical References:
The lament of Jesus over Jerusalem is recorded in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. The primary passages are Matthew 23:37-39 and Luke 13:34-35.

Context and Setting:
Jesus' lament over Jerusalem occurs during His final journey to the city, shortly before His crucifixion. This period is marked by heightened tension between Jesus and the religious leaders of the time. The lament is a poignant expression of Jesus' sorrow over the spiritual state of Jerusalem and its inhabitants, who have consistently rejected the prophets and, ultimately, the Messiah Himself.

Textual Analysis:
In Matthew 23:37-39, Jesus declares, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see Me again until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

Similarly, in Luke 13:34-35, Jesus expresses, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! Look, your house is abandoned. And I tell you, you will not see Me until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

Theological Significance:
Jesus' lament is a profound expression of divine compassion and sorrow. It highlights the persistent rejection of God's messengers by the people of Jerusalem, culminating in their rejection of Jesus Himself. The imagery of a hen gathering her chicks under her wings conveys Jesus' deep desire to protect and nurture the people, offering them salvation and refuge.

The lament also serves as a prophetic pronouncement of judgment. The phrase "your house is left to you desolate" signifies the impending destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, which historically occurred in AD 70. This desolation is a direct consequence of the city's refusal to accept Jesus as the Messiah.

Messianic Expectation and Fulfillment:
The lament points to a future hope and fulfillment of messianic expectation. Jesus' words, "you will not see Me again until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord,’” allude to a time when the people of Jerusalem will recognize and welcome Him as the Messiah. This expectation is rooted in the Jewish anticipation of the coming of the Lord, as expressed in Psalm 118:26, which is quoted in the lament.

Historical and Cultural Context:
Jerusalem, as the religious and cultural center of Judaism, held significant importance in the Jewish world. It was the site of the Temple, the heart of Jewish worship and sacrificial system. The city's history was marked by a pattern of rejecting prophets sent by God, a theme that is echoed in Jesus' lament. This rejection is seen as a microcosm of the broader human tendency to resist divine intervention and guidance.

Application for Believers:
For contemporary believers, Jesus' lament over Jerusalem serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of rejecting God's offer of salvation. It calls for introspection and a willingness to embrace Jesus' message of redemption. The lament also underscores the importance of recognizing Jesus as the Messiah and the fulfillment of God's promises.

Conclusion:
Jesus' lament over Jerusalem is a powerful expression of divine love and sorrow, intertwined with a prophetic declaration of judgment and hope. It encapsulates the tension between God's desire to save and humanity's propensity to resist. This lament remains a poignant reminder of the need for repentance and acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Savior.