Made to Cry (Part II of II)
When David and Johnathan realized that both could not survive Saul's madness, they met in a field to talk one last time.
I Samuel 2:41, After the boy had gone, David got up from the south side of the stone and bowed down before Jonathan three times, with his face to the ground. Then they kissed each other and wept together — but David wept the most.
Johnathan and David were like brothers, their love for each other was that intense. These two brave warriors for Israel wept like little children, with David, grieving and weeping the most.
Even God the Son would cry. In reporting the death of Lazarus, John noted in his Gospel, “When Jesus saw her (Mary) weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled (John 11:33). John 11:35, the shortest verse in the Bible says simply, “Jesus wept.”
On Palm Sunday, as Jesus came near the Holy City, the Gospel writer Luke wrote, “As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it ...” (Luke 19:41a).
I cannot imagine our dear heavenly Father being upset or untouched by our tears. How could He? Our tears are as much a part of His design as our hands and feet. Furthermore, as we know, God's own son shed His own tears.
Again, from writer Harold Smith’s book, Tear-Catchers (referred to in part I), “Somehow we have developed the notion of a God who cannot cry — even though God the Son cried while on earth. If God cannot cry, and we wanted to follow His example, it would be noble not to cry. However, I (Mr. Smith) suggest that a false understanding of God has further frustrated us — men particularly — and blocked us from a healthy psychological and spiritual release through crying.”
Continuing with Mr. Smith’s book, “If God the Son cried while on earth, why should you or I feel any less a child of God if we cry?”
Hebrews 5:7a, “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears...”
Our risen Lord said to the teary-eyed Mary Magdalene at the entrance to the open tomb, “Woman, why are you crying?” (John 20:15a). If you are and have been weeping, Jesus is asking you the same question, “Why are you crying?”
If you are weeping in sorrow or sadness because of defeat or despair, Jesus says to you, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yolk (my way of life) upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul,' (Matthew 11:28-29).
If you are weeping because the loss in your life is almost unbearable, Jesus says to you, “Blessed are those that mourn, for they shall be comforted,” (Matthew 5:3).
Jesus understands tears. He has shed His own. So come to Jesus with your tears, for He is The Great Comforter.
-------------------
Like on Facebook: firstchristianchurchdonnatexas.
-------------------
Chris Voss is a pastor at First Christian Church, 317 S. Main, Donna.