WHY ARE YOU WEEPING JESUS?
Luke 19:41-42
INTRODUCTION:
A. This morning you heard the children from Wacky Wednesday sing a song proclaiming “Hosanna.”
1. The idea for the song is taken from the account of what has been called “Christ’s Triumphal Entry” and is usually preached on Psalm Sunday.
2. The scriptural account is found in all four of the gospels
3. It is a last note of joy before the dreadful days to follow – Christ’s trial, physical suffering & crucifixion.
4. Both the song and the Bible speak of the blessedness of the One who comes in the name of the Lord.
B. Though it might have been a triumphal entry in some peoples eyes, I believe it was more of a personal presentation of the King of Israel in God’s eyes
1. They praised Him with their words on that day and they crucified Him in the wickedness, just a few days later.
2. This fact did not lose itself in the mind of God or the gospel writer Luke
C. For in the gospel of Luke we find two verses that give us a little more insight into the happenings of that day
1. Luke 19:41-42 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, [42] Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.
2. The crowds are rejoicing, but Jesus is weeping.
3. Why? The answer to that question is the point of this message: Why Are You Weeping, Jesus?
D. The answer can be found in two very distinct observations:
1. Jesus wept for the hardened hearts of God’s People
2. Jesus wept for the Lost of God’s flock.
E. May God enlighten our hearts to our plight and that of others as we look into His word and heart.
PRAY
1 Peter 4:17 states, For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? So lets begin with “the house of God” His people. On the way into Jerusalem that day
I. JESUS WEPT FOR THE HARDENED HEARTS OF GOD’S PEOPLE, Luke 19:41-42 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, [42] Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.
A. As Jesus approached the city of Jerusalem He could hear all the hoop-la and cheering, yet He knew the hearts of those who were singing and spreading branches and clothes in the way.
1. Note a couple of things here
a. He came close – he came close to the ones he desperately wanted to help, but they would not receive His help
b. He looked upon them, actually he looked over the whole group of them in all of their outward yet shallow joy.
c. And he wept – His heart broke because he knew what was to come.
2. The words he spoke ring out If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes
a. Other translations make it even clearer:
1) The Contemporary English Version “It is too bad that today your people don’t know what will bring them peace! Now it is hidden from them.”
2) The Message says it in a much more personal manner "If you had only recognized this day, and everything that was good for you! But now it’s too late.”
b. Jesus was saying that the way to peace was standing at their door, but they would not let him in because of the hardness of their hearts
c. They preferred to move forward in their own understanding, in their own desires, and in their own strength.
d. The King of the Jews was a stranger in his own house, a fact the apostle confirms, He came unto his own, and his own received him not. John 1:11
B. I’m afraid this could be said of many churches today.
1. Jesus has approached the church, us His people, and is standing outside, because we will not let Him in
a. He is looking at His people and they sound like they know Him, they look like they know Him, they are even doing religious things for him, yet there He stands without looking in and crying.
b. He knows each of our hearts this morning
2. Maybe he is even saying, If you had only recognized this day, and everything that was good for you! But, alas, it is hidden from you.
3. Child of God, Jesus has an invitation for us, Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Rev. 3:20
C. In Luke 13:34 Jesus is recorded as saying, O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!
1. Now we are not stoning the prophets, or the pastor praise God, but many within the church body are not allowing God to bring them under His wings, either
2. Folks, the one and only God wants to be your God and, as such, give you peace, joy, grace, mercy, help, strength, and much more.
3. Jesus said it along time ago, but it is as sure today as ever, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30
4. Oh, how He wants to take our burdens, but we must recognize our need.
a. Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived, pointed Israel to the way, as he spoke for God
b. If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chron. 7:14
5. Why let Jesus weep? Why stay out from within His out stretched arms?
a. Both Jesus and You could be rejoicing!
b. Jesus because he see that His people walk in obedience and fellowship of His word
c. You because you have peace and joy unspeakable!
d. Child of God, come back to Jesus and find rest!
But Jesus not only wept for the hardened hearts of God’s people,
II. JESUS WEPT FOR THE LOST OF GOD’S FLOCK, Luke 19:41-42 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, [42] Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.
A. Again and again Jesus came to those who did not know Him with a purpose
1. Luke 19:10 states, For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
2. His desire was and is that those who do not have a relationship with the Father come to Him to establish one.
3. As Jesus walked this earth he preformed all kinds of miracles: He cured people from sickness and physical disabilities, cast out demons, and even raise from the dead? How many? I don’t know.
a. But listen to Johns words as found in John 21:25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.
b. Again, He did it with a purpose in mind, to show that He was the Messiah, the Savior, the One that should come and save Israel, yea, the whole world from sin!
4. If those in His day could only have seen, but they chose not too.
- The old saying, There is none so blind as those who will not see, was true of them.
5. All they needed for peace was standing right there!
B. This morning if you do not know Jesus as your Savior He is waiting for you even as I speak – all you need for peace is here for you this morning.
1. Quoting from the prophet Isaiah, Paul spoke to the lost of his day, as well as you this morning, (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) 2 Cor. 6:2
2. Jesus is prepared to enter into your heart giving you salvation this very morning
3. Listen to what it takes
a. Know that you are a sinner, For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Rom 3:23
1) You have violated God’s holy law, for we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Rom 3:19
2) And for your sin you have only one thing to look forward to, death, For the wages of sin is death; Romans 6:23
3) Death physically and then what Rev (20:14-15) speaks of as the second death, being cast into the Lake of Fire for eternity! But know also
b. Jesus came into the world to save sinners! Praise God!
1) Believe this – Jesus died for your sin
2) It was prophesied in the O.T. and shown to have taken place in the N.T.
3) When Jesus hung on the cross the Bible tells us that he gave his life for you and me
4) And He rose from the dead three days later, just as he said he would!
5) Rom 10:9, 13 states, That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved…For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
c. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; Luke writes in Acts 3:19
4. This morning you do not have to be like those of Jerusalem, that fateful morning who would not see.
5. Jesus has given you the light of the gospel and the opportunity to step our of darkness and into that glorious light – will you take that step of faith or will you possibly hear Jesus say, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. Luke 19:42
CONCLUSION: As I close
A. The song the puppets sang at the beginning of the service had a stanza that went like this:
King of Israel, welcome to our hearts
Here to reign in righteousness
Oh, ruler of our hearts, now ascend Your Throne
You are the King of Kings, Hosanna!
B. I pray this morning that both child of God and child without God would allow Jesus to be King!
MAY THE ONLY TEARS JESUS SHED THIS MORNING BE TEARS OF JOY – ANOTHER SINNER HAS COME HOME!
WHY AR YOU WEEPING, JESUS?
