THE DAY JESUS CRIED (Luke
19:37-44)
April 1, 2007
Luke
19:37 - When he came near the place where the road goes down the
Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to
praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
38 "Blessed
is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! "Peace in heaven
and glory in the highest!"
39 Some of
the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your
disciples!" 40 "I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet,
the stones will cry out."
41 As he
approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and
said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would
bring you peace-but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The days
will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment
against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44
They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within
your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because
you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you."
THE STORY:
JEWS
LOOKING FOR A CONQUERING KING
Hosanna – Save us!
(Political statement)
Palm Branches – Symbol of (earlier) political freedom
Jesus cried with grief over misunderstanding
(Destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70)
LAMB
SELECTION DAY: Jesus came the first time as a sacrifice for sin
(the Lamb of God - Exodus 15)
WHY DID THE JESUS CRY?
(FOR THEM – FOR US)
1)
“You did not recognize THE
TIME of God’s coming to you” (vs. 44) –
visitation - relief
people were looking for
political deliverance (NOT THIS TIME!)
Jesus was bringing
deliverance from sin (WINDOW OF MERCY)
WE’RE LOOKING FOR
FREEDOM FROM CIRCUMSTANCES
JESUS IS BRINGING PEACE
IN CIRCUMSTANCES (“through any
circumstance, you are in the presence of the Prince of Peace.
John 16: 33 ‘These things have I
spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world
you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the
world.’ (David Taylor)
2)
42 "If you, even you, had only known on this day WHAT
WOULD BRING YOU PEACE”)
TERMS
The
people wanted peace through conflict and military conquest
Jesus offered a relationship with Himself
Christians: We want the freedom to do things our own way and
God’s job is to bless us. Jesus cries because we miss
HIS TERMS FOR PEACE!
Non-Christians: I’m going to heaven, I believe, but I’m going
to get there on my own terms. Jesus cries because we
miss His terms for relationship!
I AM the way, truth and life. No man
comes except by me!
3)
43 The days will come
upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you
and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash
you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They
will not leave one stone on another, because you did not
recognize the time of God's coming to you.")
Destruction of Jerusalem at the hands of Roman Titus in AD 70
Judgment
coming for us if we refuse His purpose and terms
CONCLUSIONS:
1)
Jesus’ purpose for coming is still the same (TWO COMINGS)
NOT freedom from circumstances or consequences
BUT His
presence “in quietness and
confidence will be your strength”
(Isa. 30:15) “IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL”
2)
Jesus’ terms are still the same
Peace and freedom are only available on His terms
Relationship with Him is by grace…faith…in Christ ALONE
3)
Judgment is STILL COMING! JESUS WILL COME AGAIN!
Then “He will wipe
ALL tears from our eyes, there will be no more death, the enemy
will be destroyed, Jesus SHALL REIGN where’er the sun doth
its successive journey’s run. His kingdom spread from shore to
shore and moons shall wax and wane NO MORE!
In the meantime He promises He will never leave
us or forsake us.
1 Corinthians 1:30 -
“It is because of Him that you are in
Christ Jesus, who has become our righteousness, holiness, and
redemption...”
