THE TEARS
THAT BRING JOY
Ironically
the shortest verse of scripture (and arguably the saddest) is “Jesus wept.”
(John 11:35) It is a striking and
emotional portrait of Jesus Christ, standing before the burial site of his dear
friend, Lazarus. While the number of
words recorded here by John, the apostle of love, is modest; their significance
is monumental. It is the clearest and
most concise declaration of one key aspect of the person and work of
Jesus. That is, in Christ, we have A
HIGH PRIEST who is “touched by the feeling of our infirmities.” (Hebrews 4:15)
Dictionary.com
defines “INFIRMITY” as “a physical weakness or ailment” (or) “a lack of
strength” (or) “a moral weakness or failing.”
Relative to us, Jesus Christ directly connects with each part of that
definition. As ‘VERY MAN,’ Jesus is
intrinsically clothed in our humanity. In
other words, HE GETS US. As ‘VERY GOD,’
Jesus has limitless power to totally transform our various conditions and
circumstances. In other words, HE
CHANGES US. Through Christ, our minds
are transformed; our ailments become healings; our weaknesses become strengths;
our failures (moral or otherwise) become undeniable victories.
I
hope that you do not think me insensitive or unkind when I admit to you that I
am hilariously happy that JESUS WEPT. For
his tears were not only the precursor to Lazarus’ resurrection, they become the
catalyst for our regeneration, restoration, renewal and rejoicing. Because JESUS WEPT, we can “glory in
tribulations.” (Romans 5:3) Because
JESUS WEPT, we can “count it all joy.” (James 1:2) Hallelujah, what a Savior!
Regardless
of what you are experiencing at this hour, be aware that YOU are the constant
concern of The Compassionate Christ.
As a matter of fact, you must feel free
to cast “all your cares upon him” with full assurance that (no matter what) “he
cares for you.” (I Peter 5:7)
Bottom-line: “Weeping may endure for a night, but JOY COMES IN THE
MORNING.” (Psalm 30:5)
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