Jesus Cries Tears With Us
Jesus wept. Have you ever stopped to think about what emotions Jesus must have been feeling to make him cry?
In John Chapter 11 we see Jesus show up late to his friend Lazarus’ funeral. By the time Jesus had shown up in Bethany, Lazarus had been dead for many days, and Lazarus’ sisters and many friends were still deeply grieving. When Jesus saw Lazarus’ sisters and friends crying, He was deeply moved, and this led Jesus to start crying himself. When the crowd saw Jesus cry, they said, “See how He loved Him!”
Jesus crying is not an image we often ponder. What moved Jesus to tears? I tend to believe Jesus cried because He hates death and He deeply loves His people.
There’s a scene in The Magician’s Nephew by CS Lewis between Digory and Aslan as Digory’s mother is dying. He begs Aslan, “But please, please - won't you - can't you give me something that will cure Mother?'” Up till then he had been looking at the Lion's great feet and the huge claws on them; now, in his despair, he looked up at its face. What he saw surprised him as much as anything in his whole life. For the tawny face was bent down near his own and (wonder of wonders) great shining tears stood in the Lion's eyes. They were such big, bright tears compared with Digory's own that for a moment he felt as if the Lion must really be sorrier about his Mother than he was himself.”
These are the kind of tears that Jesus cries, as if He must really be sorrier about the painful events of our lives than we are ourselves.
This week I sat with one of our widows that was grieving the passing of her husband. Her husband knew Jesus, which brings us great comfort, but it doesn’t take away any of the sadness. I had to remind myself that Jesus was crying tears with us and that one day it won’t be like this.
In the words of Gregory of Nazianzus, Jesus is the only one “who cries, yet causes tears to cease.”
In Revelation we are told, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away…I am making everything new” (Revelation 21:4-5.)
I am reminded that many are sad during the Christmas season. If you are one of the ones that celebrate this season in sadness, then please know that Jesus cries tears with you. As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, we are reminded that He will one day come again, and when He does, death will be no more.
Peace,
Nick
Jesus wept. Have you ever stopped to think about what emotions Jesus must have been feeling to make him cry?
In John Chapter 11 we see Jesus show up late to his friend Lazarus’ funeral. By the time Jesus had shown up in Bethany, Lazarus had been dead for many days, and Lazarus’ sisters and many friends were still deeply grieving. When Jesus saw Lazarus’ sisters and friends crying, He was deeply moved, and this led Jesus to start crying himself. When the crowd saw Jesus cry, they said, “See how He loved Him!”
Jesus crying is not an image we often ponder. What moved Jesus to tears? I tend to believe Jesus cried because He hates death and He deeply loves His people.
There’s a scene in The Magician’s Nephew by CS Lewis between Digory and Aslan as Digory’s mother is dying. He begs Aslan, “But please, please - won't you - can't you give me something that will cure Mother?'” Up till then he had been looking at the Lion's great feet and the huge claws on them; now, in his despair, he looked up at its face. What he saw surprised him as much as anything in his whole life. For the tawny face was bent down near his own and (wonder of wonders) great shining tears stood in the Lion's eyes. They were such big, bright tears compared with Digory's own that for a moment he felt as if the Lion must really be sorrier about his Mother than he was himself.”
These are the kind of tears that Jesus cries, as if He must really be sorrier about the painful events of our lives than we are ourselves.
This week I sat with one of our widows that was grieving the passing of her husband. Her husband knew Jesus, which brings us great comfort, but it doesn’t take away any of the sadness. I had to remind myself that Jesus was crying tears with us and that one day it won’t be like this.
In the words of Gregory of Nazianzus, Jesus is the only one “who cries, yet causes tears to cease.”
In Revelation we are told, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away…I am making everything new” (Revelation 21:4-5.)
I am reminded that many are sad during the Christmas season. If you are one of the ones that celebrate this season in sadness, then please know that Jesus cries tears with you. As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, we are reminded that He will one day come again, and when He does, death will be no more.
Peace,
Nick