Jesus Wept!
John 11:35
Introduction
"Jesus
wept"
The shortest verse in the
Bible (the one our children like to memorize for Sunday School) -but this verse is of great importance and
has very deep meaning.
The Greek words used in our
text mean "the shedding of tears". That is, in a quiet, inadvertent
way Jesus could no longer contain the feelings that were building up inside. Unlike
the hired mourners of the day, Jesus was not bawling out loud to make an open
show before men, but He was expressing true, heart felt feelings and emotions.
-Notice verse 33- the words
"groaned in the spirit, and was troubled"…these words imply that
Jesus was struggling and fighting off the tears. Jesus wasn't overcome with a
sudden fit of emotion, but no doubt He had been battling with it for some time.
This passage of scripture
shows us that Jesus has feelings and emotions. He is not a cold and insensitive
Savior.
-I hope our stand for truth
doesn't make that impression.
-I hope that our portrayal of
Jesus isn't one of a cold and heartless Savior!
-Salvation in Christ is not
some set of cold, insensitive doctrines.
-Salvation is a person; Jesus
Christ…Who has feelings and emotions.
-Jesus loves sinners; He
sympathizes with our infirmities.
-He makes our sorrows and heartaches
His very own.
-Feelings and emotions are as
much a part of Jesus as are His sovereignty, His
Holiness, His truthfulness,
and His other attributes.
-To make Jesus out to be an
unfeeling Savior wrong.
-just as wrong as any other
error.
This passage also tells me
that God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) have feelings!
-The Bible teaches that God
grieves over the affairs of men.
-Why should we suppose that
God has no feelings!!!
-He created mankind in His own
image.
-He placed within us feelings
and emotions.
-Isn't this part of the image
of God.
We can understand from this
verse that weeping is a good thing, when it is the response to a holy emotion
from a heart of love, compassion, and truth. It is not wrong to express our
emotions with tears:
Some Christians may think it
is wrong to cry-
-That it shows a lack of faith
and trust in God- but Jesus wept! –He has all faith!
Some men may think it is
unmanly to cry-
-That crying is a sign of
weakness- but Jesus wept! – and He is stronger than any!
-That crying mars our
integrity and credibility as men- but Jesus wept! He has more integrity and
credibility than any man!
-That crying mars our
"manly" image- but Jesus wept! – and He is the ideal man!
Why did Jesus weep?
We want to notice this morning
some of the possible reasons why Jesus wept that day:
1. Because of His love and compassion for His people: (Heb. 2:17-18,
4:15)
-Because of His love for
Lazarus- (as suggested in the context (Vs. 36)).
-Because of His love for Mary
and Martha- two of His dearest children.
-Because of His love for His
elect. Those who were among that number that day who were yet unsaved. There
were those who were still spiritually dead in their sins who would later believe because of the great
miracle (Vs.33, 43-45). Jesus is concerned about His chosen people before they
are saved
2. Because of sin.
- Is it possible that Jesus'
tears may have been due in part to the plight of sin and the awful effects and
consequences thereof?
First,
sin causes spiritual blindness and unbelief (2 Cor. 4:3-4)
-His disciples (they didn't
understand what Jesus was doing notice:
vs. 11-16)
-Martha and Mary (they doubted
Jesus love and power notice: vs. 21-22, 32, 39-40)
-The unbelief of the mourners
(notice: vs. 36-38)
-The unbelief of His betrayers
(notice: vs. 45-46)
Secondly,
sin brings sickness, death, and judgment! (Rom. 6:23, Heb. 9:27)
-Lazarus became sick and died
because of sin!
-All men physically… perhaps
Jesus wept as He solemnly contemplated the universal consequence of sin- sin
devastates the entire human race and all of creation with death.
-Perhaps Jesus considered the
eternal consequence of sin…eternal separation
from God in the lake of fire!
-Perhaps Jesus' contemplated
His own sufferings and punishment, and separation from His Father and death for
our sins!
3. Because of joy- Heb. 12:1-2
Could Jesus' tears of sorrow
also be mingled with joy…
First, because of the miracle
He was about to perform…
-His friend to be resurrected
back to life.
-His friends Mary and Martha
comforted above measure.
-His lost sheep saved because
they believe the miracle.
Secondly, in knowing that
through His death that was rapidly approaching, that His people would be fully
and finally liberated from:
-Their sin nature, which would
one day be totally and finally removed.
-The effects of sin destroyed.
-Blindness of unbelief removed
(Is. 11:7-9).
-Satan, the author of sin and
death, destroyed forever (Heb.2:14-15).
-The bondage of sin, and
suffering, and death destroyed (Rev.21:4-5)
-The curse removed from all
creation (Rev. 22:1-5).
Conclusion
Some Lesson's God's people can Learn from Jesus' Example
According to Jesus' example, we ought to weep:
1. Because of our love and
compassion for:
-Our loved one's
-Our brothers and sisters
-Our friends and neighbors
2. We ought to weep over sin and its miserable consequences:
-In our own lives
-In the lives of our neighbor
-In our communities, and our
nation
3. And we ought to weep for
the joy that is set before us:
-One day sin, sorry, death- and all that pertains to sin will be
removed forever!
-We will dwell eternally in a sinless, healthy, happy, and glorious
place in the very
presence of God!
(Sermon preached by Pastor Burke at the Faith Baptist
Church of Lawtey, Florida)