Jesus’ Tears
“When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled. And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! “(John 11:33-36)
Jesus wept.
The shortest verse in the Bible, yet it has so much meaning. He wept for His friend Lazarus who had died. He loved Lazarus. He loves us. Is Jesus also shedding tears for us because we are dying? Unfortunately most people in our Israel nations do not even know they are dying. We are so lost and the only way to find our way back is to humble ourselves, turn away from our sin and call upon Jesus Christ for forgiveness. He is waiting for us to do this. Angels in heaven rejoice when even one sinner is saved. “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” (Luke 15:10)
It was such a dreary day last Friday and I had been listening to the news on TV and had been looking at some articles on the internet regarding the Russia and Ukraine situation. It just seemed to me that day that there was so much sadness and uncertainty in this world. I had just been watching the news of the terrible mud slide in Washington State and it just brought tears to my eyes at all the devastation in a matter of minutes. I then went to my fitness class at the local community center and when I looked out the window during the class it was pouring rain. I couldn’t help but think that they were Jesus’ tears falling to earth for us. I then looked out another window and saw a group of daffodils standing straight and tall and it immediately filled me with hope. I turned to another window and saw a beautiful cherry blossom tree in full bloom and I felt restored and redeemed because I knew Jesus loved me.
Our world is full of such sorrow and destruction and I’m sure that Jesus has many tears for His people whom He loves. If we would only turn from our worldly gods and come to Him we would find hope. He can protect us and save us from this world and all that is to come. We would then find ourselves redeemed with a new life in the Kingdom of God living with Jesus as our King. “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,” (Luke 1:68)
“For as much as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:” (1Peter 1:18-19) “And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.” (Psa. 136:24) “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,” (Luke 1:68)
We who have acknowledged Jesus Christ as our Savior are so blessed. The days ahead are looking very bleak but we know the Lord will be with us to see us through all that is to come. The words from an old hymn keep coming to my mind, “Redeemed, redeemed, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb”. We are redeemed by the blood of Jesus and we too suffer along with Him for this fallen world but we have hope in the Lord Jesus Christ and we have a wonderful life ahead with Him.
“To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence.” (Eph. 1:6-8)
Our tears will soon turn to joy at the sight of our Saviour. “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.” (Psa. 126:5) “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Rev. 21:4)
