R sbc
December 26th 2004
Sunday Morning
Series: Christ the Sum & Substance of the Bible
Sermon # 25
Subject: “ JESUS WEPT”
Text: John 11:19-35, LUKE 19:41-44, HEBREWS 5:7-9
Intro: This is the shortest verse in the Bible. Whoever it was that put the new testament into verses, must have been astounding when they came to these two words “Jesus Wept”. John for the most in his book is pointing out the great truth of the divinity of Christ as the Son of God. Then we see the very human side of Christ poping up at times in this book.
Something that must be pointed out: the word “weeping in verse 33" is different from the word “Wept in verse 35" Weeping in this verse means an outward sign of the inward grief or pain. The word “wept” means a gentle flow of tears.
We find in the Bible that Christ expressed tears on three different occasions. Let me before I move to the sermon share with you that it is not:
1. A sign of weakness to weep.
2. A sign of feminism to weep.
Jesus Christ was neither weak, nor did he have in feminism in him. Those who shed no tears find no relief. Tears are given as a gift from God to release from our souls and hearts pain that is felt.
Let me site a few places in the Bible where we find tears mentioned:
Job 16:20 My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God. Here the meaning of the word changes from merely a tear but to a river of water flowing from brokeness.
David said: Psalms 6:6 I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.
The weeping prophet said: Jeremiah 13:17 But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD’S flock is carried away captive.
The woman who anointed the feet of jesus Luke 7:38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
Three places in the Bible we find were Christ is said to have wept. This is what we will focus on the remainder of this message:
I... JESUS WEEPS OVER JERUSALEM” LUKE 19-41-44
The way that the word wept is used in this text is the groaning and strong tears. He weeps over the impending judgement upon Jerusalem.. It is even seen in the passion of Christ in the way Matthew expresses it:
Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
One of the things that stands out in my mind with this text is the many times Christ told his disciples it was Jerusalem where he would meet with the nations rejection of him and that he would die at their hands:
Matthew 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Matthew 20:18 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,
The expression of judgement in this text and the expressions of compassion go together, for it is not as if GOD did not show them every opportunity to repent and they simple would not.
II... “ JESUS WEPT”..VS 35
We would look at what it was that caused the Lord to weep at this point.
1st. The occasion was the loss of a loved one and friend:
It is so natural to weep at the loss of loved ones and friends. It is not natural to assume that if there is no outward sign of weeping that the heart is not weeping over the loss.
a. Martha’s faith in Christ: vs 21-24
b. Christ’s divine claim: vs 25-26
c. Martha’s better understanding: vs 27
d. Mary’s expression of her faith in the ability of Christ: vs 32
2nd. The gentle compassion of Christ: vs 34-35
(1.) His tears was the results of how he loved him: vs 36
(2.) His tears resulted in his compassion for this miracle...vs 38-44
(3.) His power to raise him from the dead a testimony of who he was: vs 45-46
III... THE GREAT WEEPING OF HIS HEART AND SOUL...HEBREWS 5:7-9
This weeping sets forth the reality of his passion as a human. He felt real pain, he shed real tears, he knew of the Father’s judgement on him for our sins. These tears I believe took place in two different places:
1st. In the garden:
Matthew 26:37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. I know that this verse does not use the word weep, wept, crying but believe me he was doing that. It is seen in the actual expression to his Father...
Matt 26:38-39 “Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto death: tarry ye here and watch with me.
And he went a little further, and fell on his face and prayed saying O my Father, if it be possible let this cup pass from me nevertheless not as I will but as thou wilt.
2ND On the cross:
Matt 26:46 “ And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice saying Eli , Eli lama sabachthani that is to say My God, my God, why has thou forsaken me?
Now back to the text in Hebrews 5:7-9 Three things are clear in this passage regarding Christ and his crying...
(1.) That it was while he was in the flesh...vs 7
There was no other way for Christ to die, other than becoming a human being. He was real man and real God.
He was made flesh: John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
He would give his flesh: John 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
He was manifested in the flesh: 1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
He suffered in the flesh: 1 Peter 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
He was put to death in the flesh: 1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
To deny that he was come in to the flesh is to be branded as an anti-Christ... Listen to what John says:
1 John 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 1 John 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
(2.) He learned obedience: vs 8
Once again testifying to the reality of humanity. Christ was real man in ever since of the word except he was perfect in every since of the word. This is such a mystery that men fall allover it trying to explain it, separate his deity from his humanity. He is GOD all over and He is man all over.
The Father spared not his son of any human sufferings at all: Paul said in Romans 8:32 “ He spared not his own son but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
(3.) The origin of our salvation: vs 9
Keep in mind this morning Christ does not start something and not finish it. When he died he said on the cross “It is finished and bowed his head and gave up the Ghost....
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Can you look, will you look, have you looked to Christ this morning for salvation for there is none other than can save you.