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LAMENTATIONS  3: 28-33

"THE SMITTEN LORD"

Intro: This is the week when again we are to be reminded of the crucifixion of our  Lord.
       Every event of that day was predetermined by God. Jeremiah is weeping  over the havoc
       wrought by sin. He looked beyond the desolation to the  suffering of Christ.

I. "HE SITTETH ALONE AND KEEPETH SILENCE."
        A. Jesus was forsaken by His disciples - "All ye shall be offended..."
                1. Alone, He prayed in the garden.
                2. Alone, He faced the false charges before the high priest, and Pilate.
        B. He did not open His mouth in His own defense.
                1. "As a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth."
                2. Pilate marveled at His silence.
        C. "Because He hath borne it upon Him."
                1. He chose to suffer for you.

II. "HE PUTTETH HIS MOUTH IN THE DUST."
        A. I believe this is a reference to His death - His mouth silenced in the grave.
        B. "If so be, there may be hope."
                1. The scene Jeremiah was looking at was very desolate. Destruction - ruin -
                   chaos.
                2. Not much hope for man.
                        a. They deliberately chose the downward path.
                        b. They refused to heed the warnings.
                        c. Their ruin was of their own doing.
                3. If He dies, there may be hope.
                4. Peter:  "Thanks be unto God who hath..."

III. "HE GIVETH HIS CHEEK TO HIM THAT SMITETH HIM."
        A. Isa. 50:6  "I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off
           the hair. I hid not my face from shame and spitting."
        B. Micah 5:1  "They shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon His cheek."
        C. When Jesus brought before Caiaphas the high priest - they covered His head and 
           smote Him. They also slapped His cheeks with the palms of their hands and spit in
           His face.
        D. Later the soldiers smote Him on the face with a reed or cane.
        E. What could He have said to make them so angry?
        F. What did He do that stirred such malice?
        G. "He is filled full with reproach."
                1. All this smiting and spitting was to heap emotional pain as well as 
                   physical.
                2. If you were God would you have sought to save man?

IV. "THE LORD WILL NOT CAST OFF FOREVER."
        A. "Though He caused grief, He will have compassion."
        B. Maybe you are grieving today over the shambles of your life. Look through to the
           suffering Lord.
                1. He was wounded for your transgressions - bruised for your iniquities.
                2. He will have compassion on you today.