19:32 And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them.

19:33 And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt?

19:34 And they said, The Lord hath need of him.

19:35 And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon.

19:36 And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way.

19:37 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;

19:38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

19:39 And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.

19:40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

19:41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,

19:42 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.

19:43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,

19:44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation. Luke 19:32-44

And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it. Luke 19:41

Intro: A strange text in a strange setting. Jesus wept!

The Amplified Version adds the word, "audibly."

The Bible records 3 times that Jesus wept, although I am confident that He wept many, many times.

1. Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus in John 11:35. "Jesus Wept." (Here we see the sympathy of Jesus."

2. Jesus wept in the Garden of Gethsemane as He approached the hour of the cross.

And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. Luke 22:44

3. Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem here in our text

Now the question, "Why?" Why did He weep over this city?

1. FALSE RELIGION

He constantly mentioned it.

1. Lip service without heart experience

He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Mark 7:6

2. Worship without Scriptural foundation

Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Mark 7:7

3. Ritual without love (outward appearance - formalism,

indication of what kind of church. - "going through the motions."

2. COLD CHRISTIANITY

1. After the transfiguration in Mark chapter 9, Jesus came to his disciples and asked," Why this commotion?"

The father of the boy who had an evil spirit said, "They could not" cast out the evil spirit! Sad! Jesus rebuked them in

He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me. Mark 9:19

Preachers and average Christian today so powerless!

2. Lack of emphasis on the Gospel

Many want to talk about programs, social work, world peace, and many other things at the expense of the Gospel. Shame on those who have substituted other things for the Gospel.

3. No believer was there to help Christ as He went to the Cross - no wonder He wept over cold Christianity!

We make a good talk. But do we walk the talk?

3. LACK OF SACRIFICIAL GIVING

In Luke chapter 9 we find 3 tests of discipleship-

1. In v. 57, 58 - the man says, "I will follow Thee" - Jesus told him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head."

It is NOT easy to follow Christ!

2. In v59-60 another man. Jesus said, "Follow me." The man said, "Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father."

He wanted to wait till daddy died.

3. In v61-62 - another man told the Lord, "I’ll follow thee, but let me first go bid farewell, which are at home at my house." Jesus said, "No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

9:57 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

9:58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

9:59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

9:60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

9:61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my

house.

9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. Luke 9:57-62

4. LOST SOULS

1. What did Jesus see when He looked over the city?--

souls!

But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

Matthew 9:36

2. What does Jesus see when He looks upon an individual? ----a soul! The Rich Farmer in

12:17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?

12:18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.

12:19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much

goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

12:20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? Luke 12:17-20

Jesus said in vs. 20 "thou fool, this night thy soul is required of thee."

3. He weeps over you if you are lost! The church’s primary concern is to be for lost souls. We are here mainly for you!

"The light that shines farthest shines brightest at home!"

"A trip across the ocean blue won’t make a missionary true."

5. IMPENDING JUDGMENT

1. Luke 19:42, "If thou hadst known" Christ knew that in 35 years Titus and the Roman army would come and destroy the city completely.

2. One and one/half Jews lost their lives within 35 years after Jesus wept! Israel’s judgment came because of rejecting Christ! Same for us!

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

Hebrews 9:27

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: John 1:12

May Jesus’ tears move us to a genuine commitment for Him. What causes us to weep is an indication of our character & priorities.

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. Psalm 126:5, 6

Ye hearts that love the Lord,
If at His sight ye burn,
See that in thought, in deed, in word,
Ye hate what made Him mourn.