Sunday Morning March 24, 2002 Bel Aire Baptist Church
Series: Who Is Jesus Christ [#5](Palm Sunday)
A CRYING SAVIOR
John 11-12
Introduction:
1. As men, we see crying as weakness. I tell my children, especially my four-year-old daughter, that tears are reserved for when you are hurt or when someone dies. Any of you men that have daughters understand how that precious little girl tries to manipulate you by crying. In fact, it usually works so well that they continue to use those tears to manipulate men all of their lives. If you don’t believe me, think of how many women get out of traffic tickets by crying. I know my wife has been successful at this. What would happen if a man tried to cry his way out of a ticket? He probably would be arrested for being a “cry-baby”.
2. I tell you this to point out the fact that many of us are made uncomfortable around people (especially men) that cry.
3. In our text this morning, we see our Savior riding towards Jerusalem just as the prophets had foretold. As Jesus was riding, the people were joyfully praising Him. We know this even as “Palm Sunday”. Today, we too celebrate “Palm Sunday”.
4. If everyone was shouting praises, then why did Jesus do what He did in Luke 19:41?
5. There are three places in Scripture that we find our Savior crying.
6. What causes Jesus to cry?
Compassion
John 11:32-37
1. Did Jesus cry because Lazarus was dead? No, Jesus told the disciples that Lazarus was dead and He was going to bring him back to life.
2. So why did Jesus cry? He cried because Mary and some others were crying and hurting.
3. These were tears of compassion. When we hurt, so does Jesus. Jesus is not just in Heaven saying, “I sure feel sorry for Shawn”. No, He loves me so much, that He knows everything about me and when I am suffering, He suffers with me. Jesus cares! There is an old gospel song that in the chorus it says:
“No one ever cared for me like Jesus,
there’s no other friend so kind as He,
no one else could take the sin and darkness from me-
O how much He cared for me!”
4. Christians, no matter how bad life gets, Jesus will still be there.
Rejected
John 11:43-53
1. Lazarus was raised from the dead and from that miracle many were saved, but there were some that went and told the religious leaders.
2. In John 12 we see that Jesus went to Bethany where Lazarus lived. There, Lazarus’ sisters Martha and Mary had a dinner for Jesus. Notice what happens.
John 12:1-11
3. The next day after this dinner, Jesus made His triumphant entry into Jerusalem.
John 12:12-13
4. Look how the people are giving praise to Jesus. As I asked earlier, if they were shouting praises to Jesus, then why did He cry?
Luke 19:37-44
5. Jesus cried because those that He came to minister to and those He was getting ready to die for were rejecting Him.
6. They never got it. They never figured out that the Messiah they were looking for was right there.
7. See, when miraculous things are happening and times are good, we shout praises to God; but when trouble comes and things are not going our way we get angry at God.
8. If you don’t believe me read John 11-12 and then turn over to John 19:1-7.
John 19:1-7
9. In one week’s time, the people went from shouting praises to Jesus to shouting His death warrant.
10. You know the worse part? We are still doing this today. When things are going good, we all want to be a part; but when things get tough, we want out. This attitude of not accepting Jesus and not following Jesus causes Him to cry.
You And I
Hebrews 5:7
1. This refers to the prayer that Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. In John 17 we see that Jesus prayed for Himself, the disciples, and all believers.
John 17:20-26
2. Why did Jesus cry? He cried for us.
3. Jesus wants us to know how much He loves us, but as His followers we don’t always return His affection. Turn with me to Matthew 26 as we look at three types of reactions that plague Christians and how it made Jesus cry.
Sleeping
1. While Jesus was praying, what were the disciples doing?
Matthew 26:40, 43, 45
2. How often as followers of Christ does He find us sleeping?
Fighting
1. In verse 47 we see Judas and an armed crowd coming to arrest Jesus.
Matthew 26:50-52
2. Peter did as many of us would do. He chose to fight. As followers of Christ, we lose focus and instead of following Christ’s steps and direction we fight.
Running
1. Jesus has now been arrested. What does the disciples do?
Matthew 26:55-56
2. When faced with difficulty, we often run. As followers of Christ, are we focused on Jesus or are we sleeping, fighting, or running.
Conclusion:
1. Please notice this morning how quick people went from praising to cursing.
2. Jesus cried out of compassion, rejection, and for you and I.
3. Does your life give praise to Jesus or does it sadden Him?
