Reading: John 11:32-35
One thing I have noticed since I have become a mother is how quickly my "water works" turn on. I am sure many mothers can attest to the fact that when they hear a touching or tragic story it makes the tears flow. I now shed tears for things that I use to never cry over and would actually think it would be ridiculous to cry over. Recently it happened on the way to work as I was listening to Dr. David Jeremiah share a story about a young girl he heard testify about her life with drugs and how Jesus had restored her life and her family to her. This story was not personally connected to me. However, the thought of how a person hurting and Jesus restoring made me cry . . . and mess up my make up which I had just put on.After I had my crying spell over Dr. Jeremiah's story, I started thinking about how Jesus wept. For those who are familiar with the shortest verse in the Bible, you will recall that Jesus wept when He saw how upset Mary was over the lost of her brother. Many think that Jesus was weeping over the death of His beloved friend Lazarus. However, this is not the way I see this passage in Scripture. If you read from the beginning of John chapter 11, you will see that Jesus knew He would raise Lazarus from the dead. And some have also theorized that Jesus wept over knowing He was about to bring Lazarus back to life into this world. While I can certainly support this thought, I also see Jesus weeping over the hurt that Mary, a dear child of God, was going through.
I use to be embarassed about my weeping, thinking it showed that I was weak or not in control of my emotions. But in reality when Christians weep we are sharing in the heart of Jesus. I believe God gave mothers the hearts they have because He knew they would weep. He knew that we would be able to relate to the hurting.
This world has many who are hurting that need the love of Jesus. They need for us to weep with them. They need for us to show them Jesus' love so He can restore them. The Psalmist put it best in Psalm 126:4-6
"Restore our fortunes, Lord, as streams renew the desert.
Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy.
They weep as they go to plant their seed,
but they sing as they return with the harvest."
Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy.
They weep as they go to plant their seed,
but they sing as they return with the harvest."
When we mourn for our sins, or suffer for Christ's sake, we are sowing in tears, to reap in joy. Weep for the hurt of others, for the hurt that sin has brought upon their lives or the hurt they may be experiencing for the cause of Christ. But remember to share the redemptive love of Christ. It is this love that heals the pain and brings joy everlasting.
Prayer: Father, Great Healer, help me to relate to those who are hurting around me. As Jesus did for Mary, show Your love for them through me. In His Name. Amen.
