John 11:33 Jesus wept.
The shortest verse in the Bible “Jesus wept” is succinct yet packed with love, compassion and emotions. Jesus was moved at the mourning family who had lost their only brother Lazarus. When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled (vs 35). Jesus wept when He saw the sisters sobbing uncontrollably. But why did Jesus weep? He knew that He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead. He told His disciples, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up” (Vs 11b), yet He shed tears because it hurts the heart of the Saviour when we cry, sob and weep.
The tears of Jesus leave us with two profound thoughts – firstly, Jesus doesn’t marginalize our tears of pain, suffering and sorrow. He weeps along with us. Secondly, tears lubricate the door to miracles. The tears of Jesus revived the body of the dead man in the cold grave with supernatural resurrection power.
‘Professional mourning’ or ‘paid mourning’ is an occupation that originates from Egyptian, Chinese, Mediterranean and Near Eastern cultures. In the 20th century, ‘professional mourners’ might not be employed but there will be ‘pretentious mourners’ who shed crocodile tears with no emotions. The origin of the idiom ‘crocodile tears’ comes from a myth that crocodiles would kill and swallow their prey and then shed tears! Such ostentatious tears or hypocritical sobs have no value. Jesus was deeply moved by the weeping of the two sisters Mary and Martha and the heart-broken and hopeless crowd around them. Genuine love moves the heart of God. Authenticity in our emotions lubricates the door to miracles.
Genuine tears:
1. Value: Genuine tears are very valuable to the Lord. Authentic emotions go on heaven’s record. My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God (Job 16:20). Jesus is our intercessor and advocate who will recognize our tears and plead our case. Your genuine tears in God’s presence have value.
2. Voice: Genuine tears have a voice. Tears are not water and salt that dries up. Hear my prayer, O LORD, listen to my cry for help; be not deaf to my weeping (Psalm 39:12). Tears of misery and anguish of the honest and humble touches the heart of God. God heard their groaning (Exodus 2:24a). Your tears have a voice.
3. Victory: Genuine tears bring victory. Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy (Psalm 126:5). Sow truth and stand for righteousness to reap the fruit of plenteous harvest. The tears of the sisters oiled the hinges of the door to the miracle. Genuine tears shed by the oppressed, ostracized and outcast greases the door to divine miracles. If you are mistreated, misused and marginalized, your tears in the prayer closet will bring victory.
Genuine tears are valuable; they have a voice and bring divine victory.
Psalm 34:15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry.
Prayer: Father in Heaven, may my tears speak the petitions of my heart into your ears. Amen.
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