IN JOY AND TEARS(Some Thoughts on Our Christian Attitudes) Part I
“ 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; Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto Him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. And He answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. And when He was come near, He beheld the city, and wept over it, 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.”
- Luke 19:37-42 (KJV)
The Christian life is to be full of overflowing abundant joy.
Someone has said that joy is the flag that flies from the heart when the King is in residence there.
A Christian is to have joy unspeakable as we read in The First Book of Peter:
“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.”
- 1 Peter 1:7-9 (KJV)
Behind out tears, beneath our struggles, joy abides.
I recently went to a close family friends’ funeral and was asked to read some poetry selections at the service, and being an emotional man, I struggled not to cry, but with The Lord’s help and guidance, I made it through the time with only a few tears.
Brothers and sisters, remember, along with joy, the Christian life is also a life of weeping and mourning.
The Book of Ecclesiastes tells us:
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;”
– Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 (KJV)
We also know that Jesus Himself wept three times. The Bible tells us:
He wept a the grave of Lazarus, as we see in The Book of John:
“Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto Him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, He groaned in the spirit, and was troubled. And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept.Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!”
- John 11:32-36 (KJV)
(To Be Continued)
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IN JOY AND TEARS(Some Thoughts on Our Christian Attitudes) Part II
In Gethsemane before His betrayal as we see in The Book Of Hebrews:
“So also Christ glorified not Himself to be made an high priest; but He that said unto Him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. As He saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto Him that was able to save Him from death, and was heard in that He feared; Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered; And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;”
- Hebrews 5:5-9 (KJV)
Jesus also shed tears over the future of Jerusalem as we read in The Book of Luke:
“And when He was come near, He beheld the city, and wept over it, 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.”
- Luke 19:41-42 (KJV)
What was it that broke Jesus' heart as he looked over the city?
What was it that moved Him to such compassion that He wept?
He cried over sin.
Three truths caused Jesus to weep over the city of Jerusalem.
Let’s look at each truth and ask ourselves, “does this truth disturb me?”
If I am a true follower of Christ, it seems that what broke His heart ought to break mine.
As we examine these truths, we need to consider if we bear a likeness to Jesus?
We need to ask, “Do we feel as He felt?”
(To Be Continued)
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