"Why The Old Men Wept?"

Title: "WHY THE OLD MEN WEPT?"

Introduction: WHY THE YOUNG MEN SHOUTED?

It is much easier to shout than it is to weep. There is a certain depth in weeping. The young men shouted because they finally had something to believe in. The foundation of the Temple had been rebuilt and laid. They were finally ready to embark on a new direction for their lives.

But why did the old men weep? The following thoughts come from my personal meditations and speculations.

1. BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY LOST.

It had been fifty years since the days of Solomon’s glory. The Old Men could remember the beauty of that first Temple. The nation of Israel rebelled against their God. And they lost it all. The King of Babylon had taken its gold and destroyed what was the Temple. It had been left to rubble and ruin.

You weep when you know what you have lost.

2. BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY HAD FAILED TO HAVE.

For fifty years they had been without a Temple to worship in. This occasion was the first time in fifty years that they were able to bring their children and their grandchildren, and their great grandchildren to Church.

3. BECAUSE IT WAS NOT AS GOOD AS IT WAS.

Nothing is as good as that "first love." That first Temple was so glorious. The only thing in front of them at this time was the foundation of the Temple. How far removed from what the Old Men remembered.

4. BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE WORK THAT REMAINED AHEAD.

Young men see the beginning of things. Old men understand what it will take to see the completion of a thing. There was not only much work yet that needed to be done. But even more work to see to it that the work that was done would not be vain. They could lose it again!

5. BECAUSE THEY MAY NEVER SEE IT COMPLETED.

Knowing what efforts had to be done, might have caused them to weep in that the question remained, would they ever see this great Temple rebuilt in their life time?

6. BECAUSE THEIR MESSIAH WAS NOT YET WITH THEM.

What good is a Temple without their High Priest and King? We can have a form of godliness without power. There are many Churches that are beautiful to look at, but where is Christ?

7. BECAUSE... AT LEAST THEY HAD A CHANCE!

Every Sunday I feel like weeping. God has given me another opportunity to worship him... another week to serve him.

I am sure that these old men thought that this "second chance" would never come. But it did!

God has given you another day, another chance to serve him. Make the most of this day. Go for it! Get the job done, and do it right this time!