Don’t Weep for Me

The Crucifixion

26 As they led Jesus away, a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene,* happened to be coming in from the countryside. The soldiers seized him and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27 A large crowd trailed behind, including many grief-stricken women. 28 But Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the days are coming when they will say, ‘Fortunate indeed are the women who are childless, the wombs that have not borne a child and the breasts that have never nursed.’ 30 People will beg the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and plead with the hills, ‘Bury us.’* 31 For if these things are done when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?*”

32 Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. 33 When they came to a place called The Skull,* they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left.

Their Grief was not the proper response Jesus wants to the cross.

1.   These, “Daughters of Jerusalem,” did not have the proper responce to the cross

A.    These women were understandably grieved because of the treatment and coming death of a loved one.

B.    People can be moved by emotion to respond incorrectly to the Gospel

C.     These women were sincere but the crucifiction of Jesus is the single most important event in history and this was not the proper response

2.   Pilate did not have the proper response to the cross.

A.    He wanted to wash his hands of the whole situation

B.    Many people don’t want to oppose the Gospel but they don’t commit either. 

C.     They take the, “Your alright I’m alright” approach.

D.    No decision is a decision

3.   The religious leaders did not have the proper response to the cross

A.   They made broad their phylacteries and enlarged the borders of their garments, they were the social elite and Jesus was tearing down their playhouse.

B.    A man or woman has planned for retirement he may be in his forties or fifties and he’s going strong.  He may have a boat, the kids are up and gone he has a pension, a little nest egg and it’s finally his turn at bat.  He’s planning on living the good life.  Then some preacher says he must repent.  His wife get’s saved and her life is centered around the church.  He gets very angry because Jesus is tearing down his playhouse.

10 And Nabal answered David’s servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master. 11 Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be?

C.     He’s angry, angry people don’t think well

for he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him

4.    The disciples did not have the proper response.

A.    They would have died in battle alongside him but to just surrender?

B.    Though he spent so much time with them his presence was so overwhelming that many times they could not hear what he was saying.

C.     In their minds something had gone horribly wrong!

5.     The only one with the proper response was thief.

A.    “Don’t you fear God seeing we are in the same condemnation.”  He is dying for sin and so are we.

B.    “We justly for we receive due reward for our deeds.”  We are sinners.

C.     “ This man has done nothing amiss.”  He is sinless.

D.    “Lord remember me when you come into your kingdom.”  Faith in Jesus resurrection.