Mark 5: 38-40a When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at Him.
Emotional tears release stress hormones. Psychologists say that crying improves our moods and relieves sorrow. Tears release the feel-good chemicals (oxytocin and endogenous opioids) and can help physical and emotional pain. While endorphins make us numb, oxytocin can give a sense of calmness. However, tears of desperation, irritation and exasperation disintegrate faith. Angry tears make us bitter. Tears of disappointment stir-up animosity. Tears of exasperation throw us into hopelessness. So, the emotions behind our tears position us into acceleration or deceleration.
Jesus entered the house of Jairus that was mourning at the death of his 12 year old daughter. The people were crying and wailing hopelessly. Jesus spoke words of life to stop the howling but they mocked Him. Tears of disbelief, frustration and distrust will throw us out of the presence of the Lord. After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was (vs 40). The cynical laughter of the wailing crowd distanced them from the miracle. After Jesus put the disbelieving people out, He raised the dead child back to life.
Tears of disbelief does not draw us close to God, it pushes us far away from His presence. The skeptical crowd could not witness the astounding miracle as they doubted the words of Jesus.
The emotions behind our tears position us to acceleration or deceleration:
1. Desperation: Desperate tears draw us close to the presence of God, while tears of disbelief push us far away from Him. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18). Disregarding the promises of God snatches away the miracle from us. Even when there is no evidence of the promised miracle, be careful not to slip out words of distrust and disbelief. Tears of disbelief distances us away from His presence.
2. Irritation: It is foolish to be angry and irritated with God. There are many who are irritated with God as He did not perform the miracle at their time or according to their plan. The disbelieving crowd thought that Jesus was late. The physicians who treated the girl and declared her dead probably ridiculed the Carpenter Jesus as illiterate and uninformed. Tears of anger, irritation and mockery keep us out of God’s inner chamber.
3. Exasperation: Vexation or exasperation is an outcome of uncontrollable events. Those who are exasperated are aggravated because they could not control God and emotionally manipulate Him with their tears. Tears of exasperation will defer the miracle and detour the miracle journey.
Tears of disbelief, irritation and exasperation push us away from the inner court of God’s presence.
Malachi 2:13 “You cover the altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping and with groaning, because He no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand.”
Prayer: Father God, even in disappointment and desperation may my tears never become tears of disbelief or dissolution. Amen.
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