Lament for the Lost
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Jesus' lament of "unfathomable pathos" for those shut outside the Narrow Door.
Text: Luke 13:34-35
Date: 03/24/2024, the Combined service.
Series: "Luke: Thy Kingdom Come" Part 143
Occasion: Palm Sunday
Description:
After sending word to Herod via the Pharisees that He had no intention of altering His teleological course to the Cross, Jesus turns His attention to the foreboding future of His people. In a passage commonly known as the "Lament for Jerusalem", Jesus reveals His heart-broken angst for the recalcitrance of His people and the inevitable judgment that awaits all who reject God's gracious plan of redemption. We will analyze His words and study the analogy of a mother hen protecting her chicks and how it relates to the ministry of Jesus. We will consider the "unfathomable pathos" of the lament and probe to grasp its significance in light of the recent discussion of the shutting of the Narrow Door. Ultimately, we will realize and proclaim that while the Door remains open, these are the tears of forewarning; but when the Door shuts forever-- they become the lament for the lost.
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I. Introduction, John 12:12-15, 18:36; Luke 13:32; Psa. 118:26.
II. Exposition of the text, Luke 13:34-35.
A. Context
1. The repeated eschatological warnings, Luke 13:3.
2. When the Narrow Door shuts, Luke 13:24.
B. Lament for "Jerusalem".
1. The lament of a broken heart, vs. 34a.
a. The nature of a lament, Luke 8:52, 23:27.
b. Lament for the recalcitrant.
i. The "unfathomable pathos", 2Sam. 18:33.
ii. The personification of Jerusalem, John 1:11.
c. The indictment, Luke 13:33; Jer. 26:23; Luke 11;49-50; Matt. 21:35-36; Acts 7:51-52; John 8:40,45-46.
2. A graphic lamentation, vs. 34b.
a. The scattered children, Matt. 15:24.
b. The fox in the henhouse.
i. Establishing the analogy, Luke 13:32.
ii. Identifying the real enemy, Gen. 4:7; 1Pet. 5:8.
iii. The devastating consequences of sin, Rom. 6:23.
iv. The propitiatory atonement.
1) The utter sinfulness of sin.
2) The perfect holiness of God.
3) The Great Dilemma.
4) The grace of "the Door".
c. When the children are not willing, Luke 13:28.
3. The house forsaken, vs. 35a.
a. Looking at the words.
i. The emphasis.
ii. The meaning of "house".
1) The Temple.
2) A legacy or dynasty, 1Chr. 8:28; 2Sam. 7:4-6,11,16; Luke 2:4.
iii. A house forsaken, Luke 13:28-29.
b. The devastating judgment.
i. A house left desolate.
ii. A frightening image.
4. The eschatological judgment, vs. 35b.
a. Not the "Triumphal Entry", Luke 13:32.
b. The promise of a glorious return.
i. The difficulty of interpretation.
ii. Three solutions to the interpretation.
1) Referring to the Second Coming in general.
2) Hope for the Nation of Israel.
3) The glorious Return, Phil 2:10-11.
III. Application, Luke 13:3.
IV. Conclusion
