Tuesday, May 06, 2014

The Vision (5.8.14): Jesus Weeps Over Sinners


Image:  Modern Jerusalem viewed from the Mount of Olives


Note:  Below are my notes from the applications from last Sunday’s sermon on Luke 19:41-48:


“And when he came near, he beheld the city, and wept over it” (Luke 19:41).


1.  The weeping of Jesus shows his full humanity (cf. John 11:35; 1 John 1:1-4).


2.  The weeping of Jesus shows his compassion for sinners [not only the first century inhabitants of Jerusalem but all they whom they represent].  When Jesus looks upon those who reject and spurn him he weeps. 


3.  The juxtaposition of the weeping of Jesus and the cleansing of the temple (vv. 45-46), show forth the mercy and compassion of the Lord but also his justice and zeal for the truth.


4. The cleansing of the temple shows that Jesus will have a pure church.  His bride must be spotless and without blemish. A pure Christ requires a pure church.


It must be pure in its membership:  a regenerate church.


It must be pure in its worship:  scripturally regulated worship.


It must be pure in its sincerity to serve Christ:  no mixed or false motives.


5.  Where Jesus teaches, there will always be a mixed reaction (vv. 47-48).  He will cause the unregenerate to recoil against him, to lash out in anger, or to plot his destruction.  But, there are also those who will listen to him with attentiveness.


Conclusion:


Friends, when Christ wept over Jerusalem, he was weeping over sinners.  The Lord does not gloat over the rejection of the wicked knowing that their end is destruction.  Note these two key verses in Ezekiel:


Ezekiel 18:32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.


Ezekiel 33:11 Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?


Our Lord was weeping over us in our unregenerate state, when we were deaf and blind to the gospel.  Now, rather than giving us what we deserve, he has lavished upon us his affections.  What a privileged position we now enjoy!


Grace and peace, Pastor Jeff Riddle

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