Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• Looking at the first part - that is only in Luke's Gospel
• v26 - Simon of Cyrene compelled to carry Jesus' cross
• Reading v26-31
• There have been many paintings on Jesus' journey to the cross
• They often focus on the mindless mob
• They concentrate on Jesus who is so weak His cross needs to be carried by another
• The aim of the artists is to arose an emotional response
• Pity and sympathy for Jesus as He stumbles under the cross
• Example of the Passion of the Christ
• The gospel writers do not dwell on the horror that Jesus underwent
• They know there is a different between an emotional and spiritual response to Christ
• A purely emotional response - very common to day - not a spiritual response
• Roman Catholicism can play on the emotional response
• Luke's Gospel - Jesus exposes what is a potentially dangerous delusion and points us in the right direction
• How do we respond to Jesus - is our response emotional or spiritual?

Jesus lacks self-pity

• Reading v27-28
• We would want to arouse such pity but Jesus' only desire is for the salvation of His people
• His concern is for the women
• Jesus' words echo down the centuries and speak to us
• We must not view His death shortsightedly
• We are not to weep for Jesus as we would the death of a good person
• Example of Princess Diana
• This is a death like no other
• Jesus does not need or want or sympathy
• He is not an object of pity, but wonder and awe
• Most of all when He goes to the cross

Do not weep for me (v28a)

• Why we should not have a purely emotional response
• 1. His death was not like any other
• Crucifixion was common place in Roman times
• This cross is unique - for the death of Christ was planned in Eternity past and will be rejoiced over for Eternity to come
• We should be awe stuck that this is the focus of our history - e.g our calendar
• This is not the death of a weak and broken man
• Example of what people might say
• This is the Son of God
• We do not weep for the author of the universe
• Example of the James Webb telescope and our understanding of the universe
  
• This is not tragic ending to a dream but the central plan of salvation
• A contract was made before the world was made between God the Father and God the Son
• Jesus agreed, knowing what was involved
• His death was entirely voluntary - His purpose was to go to the cross
• 2. His crucifixion was just
• Not a man who was a victim of political intrigue
• He was made sin for us, so that we might be forgiven
• He becomes the sinless Saviour
• He takes our sin upon Himself and takes our place
• 3. His death was absolutely necessary
• The women were powerless to stop His crucifixion
• Example of George Whitfield / Lord Chesterfield
  
• Surely no Christian would want to be at the cross
• What would you have done?
• Would you have withstood it?
• How else could our sin be paid for?
• How else could there be an exchange of sin - Jesus became sin for us
• We are considered righteous in Christ
• 4. He would rise in glorious triumph
• He would rise on the third day and all His people will rise with Him
• The women would surely have thought and felt differently if they had known this
• We know this - and far more
• The cross was the lowest point
• He rose again
• He ascended into heaven and is seated at God's right hand
• He sent the Holy Spirit
• It is accomplished
• He had finished all He had came to do
• His end achieved with His resurrection only 3 days away
• His death has brought life to countless millions of people
• 5. He is our only hope
• The women thought there hopes had been dashed
• They had hoped He was the Messiah
• Their hope was about to be fulfilled (though they lacked the knowledge of the truth)
• We see the knowledge of the truth
• Our hope is fulfilled
• Christ is our only hope

Weep for yourselves and your children (v28b-31)

• Approximately 40 years later the Romans would come into Jerusalem and raise it to the ground with terrible slaughter
• Judgement would fall upon the Jewish nation for the death of Christ
• If this occurred when the tree is green - imagine what it will be when it is dry!
• Example of forest fires
• The Jews and Gentiles were both culpable
• There was the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple
• Just think what will happen on the day of judgment
• Rev 6:16
• We must bow our knee to Christ now
• How long will God be patient with us?
• We must not weep for Christ but ourself

Closing Remarks

• Is our response emotional or spiritual?
• Have we come to see who Christ is?
• Do we weep for ourselves?
• Do we understand the gospel and put our trust in Jesus
• Does our weeping turn to tears of joy?

Closing Prayer