Luke 19:37-44 The Compassion of Christ

Introduction: There are two places in the N.T. which tell us that Christ wept. This passage showing His love for those in Jerusalem who suffer judgment, and in John 11, where He wept at death of Lazarus. In both cases we see a compassionate Christ. What were the reasons for this demonstration of compassion?

His Compassion Was Great Because of Their Need - Luke 19:41 ...when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it...19:44 because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.

His Compassion Was Because of Their Ignorance of Truth Luke 19:41 - 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.

His Compassion Was Because of Coming Judgment - Luke 19:43-44 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, And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; ...

His Compassion Was Demonstrated When Others Were in Need - John 1:32-34 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.

His Compassion Was An Example For Others To See
John 11:35-36 Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!

His Previous Compassion and Mercy Testified To His Power - John 11:37 And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?

The Demonstration of His Compassion Was For The Glory of God - John 11:38-40 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

His Compassion Turned Into Action - John 11: 41-43 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.