65

Fm: PHC 24-322

Mamie Vining 10-17-84

WEEPING AT THE GRAVE OF A LOVED ONE

John 11:32-36

INTRODUCTION

A. Grief is normal: Tennyson wrote, "Oh for the touch of a

vanished hand. For the sound of a voice that is still!"

B. Jesus did not rebuke the grief-striken loved ones left behind

(only "that you sorrow not...as others which have no hope."

1 Thes. 4:13)

C. Tears help us deal with our loss:

Hunt has said, "Tears hinder sorrow from becoming despair"

D. Let us look at Jesus weeping at the grave:

I. THE HUMANITY OF JESUS CAUSED TEARS (He's all God but ALL MAN also)

A. Heb. 2:14, "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of

flesh and blood he also himself likewise took part of the same

B. The part of Jesus that would say, "Not my will but thine

be done" knew that death was the means to real life but,

C. The part of Jesus that would say, "If there be any other way

let this cup pass from me" felt the pain of separation.

D. The thought of death being so powerful as to break up homes,

families & friendships and leave only scraps of life was sad

E. The MAN Jesus knows very well the hurt that you are feeling

II. SYMPATHY FOR HIS FRIENDS BROUGHT TEARS TO JESUS' EYES

A. Mary and Martha felt disappointment that Jesus waited so long

B. And seeing the grief of Lazarus' sisters brought sorrow to him

1. Heb. 4:15, "For we have not a high priest which cannot

be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was

in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."

2. Is. 53:3, "He is...a man of sorrows, and acquainted with

grief"

C. He can now EMPATHIZE with us: To paraphrase Is. 63:9, "In

all our afflictions he is afflicted, and the angel of His

presence saves us: in his love and in his pity he

redeems us; and he bares us, and carries us all the days"

III. DIVINE LOVE AND COMFORT TO MAN COMES FROM THOSE TEARS

A. Divine sympathy and Divine empathy lead to divine help

1. Is. 53:4, the Man Acquainted with Grief has "born our

grief" and the Man of Sorrows has "carried our sorrows"

2. The reason for His taking on human flesh was "that

through death he might destroy him that had the power of

death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through

fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage"

(Heb. 2:14,15)

B. Death may win today but resurrections come in the morning:

1. Jn. 11:25, "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that

believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live"

2. Robert Ingersoll asked why He said, "LAZARUS, come forth"

3. The widow of Nain felt as you do until Jesus spoke to her,

"Weep not" and touched the casket and gave her son life.

C. He can do much more as well: Rev. 21:4, "God shall wipe away

all tears from their eyes"

SUMMARY

A. Jesus KNOWS the pain and grief that you feel

B. He FEELS that pain with you (borne our griefs)

C. He will HELP

1. Promises that the resurrection will bring us together

2. He will go with us through dark death (yea, though I walk)

3. He will wipe away all tears from our eyes

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3. He will wipe away all tears from our eyes

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Index of Preacher's Help and Notes

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