Scripture Reading: John 11:28-37
Jesus Wept
Intro.
1. We face situations in life that drive us to deep sorrow; the death of a loved one, tragic accidents, regrets, chronic disease and pain, etc. Then there is the loss of souls of those who are precious to us.
2. Jesus experienced the deep emotion of sorrow as He anticipated and endured the cross, Matt. 27:46, 50; Heb. 5:7.
3. But, not only on the cross, but throughout His life: Man of sorrows, Isa. 53:3.
4. We would all do well to learn to weep when and as Jesus wept. God weeps for us in our sorrows, sufferings and struggles against sin, loss and the uncertainty of life as we all march toward the certainty of death, judgment and eternal life.
I. JESUS WEPT OVER THE PERSONAL SORROW OF OTHERS, Jno. 11:30-38.
A. God Knows Our Sorrows, cf. Exo. 2:24-25; 3:7-10.
B. God’s People Ought to be Touched by One Another’s Moments of Grief, Rom. 12:15.
1. Such expressions comfort the suffering, cf. 2 Cor. 1:3-7.
2. Hardened refusal to give comfort exposes evil heart, Job 16:4-5.
3. Put on a heart of tender mercies, kindness..., Col. 3:12.
II. JESUS WEPT BECAUSE JUDGMENT WAS COMING, (Jerusalem), Lk. 19:41-44.
A. The Judgment was Just, but that did not Prevent His Sorrow.
1. Jesus desired to give protection and mercy (but they refused), Matt. 23:37-39.
2. We may rationalize our contempt over sin by rendering a judgment that "is deserved", but that is not the full measure of the righteous heart's reaction to sin and its judgment, Rom. 9:1-3.
III. JESUS WEPT AT TIMES OF GREAT DISTRESS (Gethsemane), Lk. 22:39-46; Heb. 5:7.
A. During the Trials and Threats of Life-Endangering and Life-Altering Times: The Earnestness of Prayer Combines with the Agony of the Moment, Heb. 5:7.
1. Jesus prayed when He was in great agony.
2. The disciples slept "from sorrow", Lk. 22:45.
3. Do trials of faith "wear us out" or focus our attention more clearly on God? Heb. 12:1-4
IV. JESUS GRIEVED OVER HARD HEARTS. Mark 3:5
A. Distress, Heaviness, Sorrow when Hearts are Hard toward Him and His Merciful Truth, Mk. 3:1-6.
-We are taught not to grieve the Holy Spirit with harsh words that do not impart grace to others, Eph. 4:29-30.
V. WE SHOULD WEEP…
A. Over Our Own Sins against God and Others, Matt. 5:4; Jas. 4:9; Lk. 7:37-38; 2 Cor. 7:9-10.
B. When We See Others Suffering in Sin, Gal. 6:1; 2 Cor. 11:28-29; 12:14-15.
-Compassion that tries to save and mercy when forgiveness is needed, Jude 20-23.
Conclusion
1. The Man of sorrows bore our sins and God accepted His life as an offering for the sins of the world, Isa. 53:10.
2. The sadness of His death was turned into eternal joy for all who put their faith in Him, John 16:20-22.
3. The ransomed (Zion, the kingdom): Everlasting joy - “They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (Isa. 35:10).
By: Joe R. Price
Posted: March 26, 2015