TEARS

John 11:35: Jesus wept.

No study of the life and ministry of Jesus would be complete without considering the tears of Jesus at the grave of Lazarus. Here the tender heart of the Saviour is revealed and all grieving people are made aware that He understands.

My work has taken me to the homes of scores of sorrowing people. Often heartbroken Christians have apologized to me for their tears, as if their sobs were signs of faltering faith. Invariably, I have reminded them that the strongest One who ever walked on this earth wept at a grave. Tears do not signal weakness. On the contrary, they are but part of God's plan for releasing the tension that comes with trouble. And in this world we have trouble.

The tears of Jesus were for all who ever pass through the valley of the shadow of death. Shortly, He would call Lazarus from the tomb. Within a few moments the disciples would move the stone at the mouth of the grave. At the call of Christ, Lazarus would come walking out of that burial place just as all Christians will respond to His call at the Rapture of the church. These tears were not for Lazarus. In that moment, Jesus felt the sorrow of death through which all pass, and wept. He knows the ache deep within that no human help can cure, and offers His comfort to those who lose loved ones in death.

Death is an enemy. Even for Christians. Paul wrote: "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death" (I Corinthians 15:26). Though heaven awaits the child of God, death itself is never pleasant. Still, it is important to know that the Light of the World goes with the believer through that valley. And His tears are testimony to His care.