The Cry of the Ages
Sermon 45
Matt. 11:1-6 “And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities. Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and show John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
Luke 10:23-24 “And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.”
The Bible, that compilation of books that make the book, is about Jesus. Take Jesus out and you have no book left. For Jesus is the theme, He’s the center, and He’s the circumference. We can find Jesus, or His type or shadow, on nearly every page and for sure in every book.
In Genesis, He’s the Breath of Life, – In Exodus, He’s the Passover Lamb,
In Leviticus, He’s the High Priest, – In Numders, He’s the cloud by day and the fire,
In Deut., He’s the Prophet like unto Moses, – In Joshua, He’s Captain of our Salvation,
In Judges, He’s Judge and Lawgiver, – In Ruth, He’s the Kinsmen Redeemer,
In Samuel, He’s the Trusted Prophet, – In Kings & Chro., He’s the Reigning King,
In Ezra, He’s the true and faithful Scribe, – In Neh., He’s the rebuilder of brokenness,
In Esther, He’s Mordecai’s Courage, – In Job, He’s the Timeless Redeemer,
In Psalms, He’s the Shepherd & Morning Star, – In Prov. , He’s our Wisdom,
In Eccl., He’s the Time and Seasons, – In S. S., he’s the lover and bridegroom,
In Isaiah, He’s the Wonderful, etc–, – In Jere., He’s the Potter at the Wheel,
In Lam., He’s the Weeping Prophet, – In Eze., He’s the Wheel in the Middle of Wheel,
In Dan., He’s the Fourth Man, – In Hos., He’s the forever Faithful,
In Joel, He’s the Promise of the Last Days, – In Amos, He’s the burden bearer,
In Obadiah, He’s the Lord our Savior, – In Jonah, He’s the Great Missionary,
In Micah, He’s the promise of Peace, – In Nahum, He’s our strength and shield,
In Hab., He’s the Evangelist, – In Zeph., He’s Our Savior,
In Hag., He’s the restorer of lost heritage, – In Zech., He’s the Fountain Opened,
In Mal., He’s the Sun of Righteousness with healing in His wings.
In Matt. Mark, Luke, and John, – He is man and He is God,
In Acts, He’s is the comforter, – In Romans, He’s grace and power,
In Cor, He’s power and love, – In Gal., He’s freedom from the curse of sin,
In Eph., He’s our glorious treasure, – In Philp., He’s our supplier,
In Col., He’s the fullness of the God head, – In Thess., He’s our coming King,
In Tim., He’s is the mediator, – In Titus, He’s the good Pastor,
In Phil., He is the faithful brother, – In Heb., He’s the everlasting covenant,
In James, He’s the Great Physician, – In Peter, He is the Chief Shepherd,
In Jude, He is fighting with 10,000 of His saints,
And in Rev., the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
He is Aaron’s rod that budded and John’s one that sat on the throne.
Abraham’s ram and Joshua’s trumpet.
Daniel’s vision and Miriam’s song.
David’s shepherd and Moses’ burning bush.
Elijah’s mantle and Noah’s rainbow.
Ezekiel’s water to swim in and Paul bright light.
Gideon’s fleece and Samson’s strength.
Isaac’s bride and Samuel’s voice in the night.
Jacob’s wrestler and Solomon’s wisdom.
Church’s foundation and my redeemer and Savior.
The cry throughout the ages was “O I want to see Him.” (John 8:56) “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.”
To the Architect He is the Chief Cornerstone. 1 Peter 2:6
Artist He is the One Altogether Lovely. S. o. S. 5:16
Astronomer He is the Bright and Morning Star. Rev. 22:16
Baker He is the Living Bread. John 6:35
Banker He is the Unsearchable Riches. Eph. 3:8
Biologist He is the Life. John 14:6
Botanist He is the Plant of Renown. Ez. 34:29
Bride He is the Bridegroom. Mat. 25:1
Builder He is the Sure Foundation. Isa. 28:16
Carpenter He is the Door. John 10:9
Disconsolate He is the Comforter. John 14:1
Drifter He is the Anchor. Heb. 6:19
Doctor He is the Great Physician. Mat. 8:17
Educator He is the Superb Teacher. John 3:2
Farmer He is the Sower and the Lord of the Harvest. Matt. 13:37
Florist He is the Rose and the Lily. S. o. S. 2:1
Friendless He is the Friend that’s closer than a Brother. Prov. 18:24
Genealogist He is the Name Above Every Name. Philp. 2:9
Geologist He is the Rock that Followed Them in Wilderness. 1 Cor. 10:4
Heavy-laden He is the Rest. Matt. 11:28
Herbalist He is the Root and the Off-Spring of Jesse. Isa. 11:10
Horticulturist He is the True Vine. John 15:1
Jeweler He is the Precious Stone. 1 Pet. 2:6
To the Judge He is the Righteous Judge. 2 Tim. 4:8
Jurors He is the Faithful and True Witness. Rev. 3:14
King He is the King of Kings. Rev. 19:16
Lawyer He is the Counsellor. Isa. 9:6
Musician He is Heaven’s New Song. Rev. 22:13
News-Man He is Good Tidings of Great Joy. Luke 2:10
Outcast He is the Friend of Sinners. Luke 15:1
Philosopher He is the Wisdom of God. 1 Cor. 1:24
Photographer He is the Express Image of God. Heb. 1:3
Pilgrim He is the Way. John 14:6
Sculptor He is the Living Stone. 1 Peter 2:4
Servant He is the Good Master. Eph. 6:9
Shepherd He is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins. John 1:29
Sinner He is the Savior. Matt. 1:21
Slave He is the Redeemer. Gal. 3:13
Soldier He is the Captain of Hosts. Heh. 2:10
Statesman He is the Desire of all Nations. Hag. 2:7
Storm-Tossed He is a Refuge in Storms. Isa. 25:4
Theologian He is the Author and Finisher of Our Faith. Heb. 12:2
Thirsty He is the Water of Life. John 4:10
Traveler He is the New and Living Way. Heb. 10:19
Unclean He is a Fountain of Cleansing. Zech. 13:1
Weak He is the Power of God. 1 Cor 1:24
Zoologist He is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Rev. 5:5
I. OLD TESTAMENT:
And the cry of the ages has been “O I want to see Him.” When the first promise was given (Gen. 3:4) it started a longing in the hearts of man to see the promised one of God’s people. From that time on it was the dream of every Jewish maid that God would fulfill that promise through her.
Because of disobedience, the Israelites were in continual oppression. Even though Abraham was the friend of God, he failed God in disobedience. The momentum of desire increased at Abraham’s words “God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering:” (Gen 22:8)
Jesus told the woman at the well, (John 8:56) “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.” He saw it only through the eye of prophecy. It was a longing in Abraham that cause him to “look for a city” and some how he connected it with God. Oh! I want to see Him. God promised Abraham that “in thy seed all nations shall be blessed.” Oh! I want to see Him.
When God spoke to Jacob in Gen 49:10, these words, “The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.” It started a longing is his heart to see the promised one. Yes! the cry of the ages has been, Oh! I want to see Him.
Other prophecies:
Joseph—- “God will surely visit you.” Gen. 50:24
Moses—-(Deu 18:15) “The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;”
David—(Psa 27:4) “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.”
Job—-(Job 19:25) “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another;”
Isaiah—(Is.9:6-7) “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”
(Is. 7:14) “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
II. NEW TESTAMENT:
There was excitement at the temple the day they carried Jesus “to present him to the Lord;”
Simeon–(Luke 2:25) “And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.”
Anna—(Luke 2:36) “And there was one Anna, a prophetess, —–And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”
Philip—-(John 1:45) “Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.”
John—-(Matt. 11:3) “And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?”
All of these New Testament references prove that men had been looking for the one to come.
III. THE WORLD IS LOOKING AGAIN:
The Greeks were not the last ones to speak the words, “sirs, we would see Jesus.” There is still a cry in the heart of man, Oh! I want to see Him.
It will happen, for we read in Heb 9:28, “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.”
(1 John 3:2) “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”
Oh! I want to see Him.
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