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John 11:32-44

“The Tears of Jesus”

I want to start with a story from the Jewish Talmud. One day, God had asked the angels to bring the most precious thing into the world. The first angel brought the diamond; the second brought the beauty of a young woman. However, God was not very interested in these two things. But, when God saw the “vessel containing the tears that sinners shed when they repented,’ which the third angel had brought, God was very satisfied and said, “You have brought the most precious thing.”

I want to talk about “tears” today. In Korean culture, there is a saying, “a man can shed tears three times in his life: when he was born, when his parents passed away, and the country has perished.” Other than that, if a man cries, he is regarded as a weak man. If it is true, Jesus must be a weak man because Jesus used to weep for the people. What about you? When do you cry? I know, when you lose your loved ones, you grieve. And then sometimes when you miss them, you might weep, too.

Today is “All Saints Sunday, and also “Halloween.” All Saints Sunday is observed after Halloween, on November 1, or the first Sunday of November. It is the day to celebrate the communion of saints in heaven as we remember the dead, both the church universal and our local congregations. For this reason, we solemnly read the names in the congregation who have died during the past year. You might be curious why we have “All Saints Sunday” after Halloween. Halloween began to drive the ghosts out and clean up the whole house. And we have ‘All Saints Day on the next day. So, some call Halloween ‘All Saints Day’s Eve.’ Thinking of Halloween and All Saints Day’s true meaning, we may keep All Saints Day.  All Saints Day is the day to expel all devils and honor our loved ones who returned to the heavenly home. When we name them one by one, we may remember their faithful journey in the world. All God’s people might be saints. When we light the candles naming them one by one, we may weep, tearing in remembrance of a very moment, pain, suffering, grieving, separation, and longing for them.

There are many tears in the world. There are tears of sorrow, tears of pain, tears of joy. Yes, even when we are happy, our tears are shed. And, when we face a very moment of injustice, we may tear up. When our voices are not heard, we may cry. Also, there are tears of victory, and physiological tears, which we shed to wash irritants from our eyes. Of all these tears, which one do you think is the most precious? Well, I think all tears matter. You may have heard, “tears cleanse our souls.” After we weep, we might feel at peace. The psychologist Henley Mossler said, “Tears are the gift of God for healing.” Your tears may heal your soul, mind, and spirit as well.

In today’s scripture, we saw that Jesus wept. He wept at the tomb of Lazarus, who died. Jesus didn’t weep for himself but for the people. When he was carrying the cross, women were crying. Jesus said to them, “don’t cry for me, but for yourself and your children” (Matthew 23:28). In today’s scripture, there were Martha, Mary, and Lazarus in Bethany near Jerusalem. They received the Lord’s special love. But, while Jesus was preaching in another town, Lazarus became ill. Jesus didn’t come right away, and Lazarus died in the meantime, and four days after he died, the body already smelled, and then Jesus came. When this happens, Martha and Mary and many mourners wept as well. When Jesus came to their house, Mary said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” It sounds like she was complaining to Jesus, “Why are you late?” But, Jesus saw her sorrow instead of her complaint. Today’s scripture says, “When Jesus saw Mary’s weeping and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved.” And Jesus also began to weep. People said, “Look, how he loved him!” When we cry for others, God also weeps with us.

Our tears may move God’s mind to compassion and mercy for our loved ones. Jesus told them to move the stone from the tomb where Lazarus was buried, and then when he said, “Lazarus, come out,” the scene was of Lazarus walking out with a smelly body four days after his death. Jesus’ tears signify mercy and compassion. When Jesus wept, it meant that he showed mercy and compassion to the weak, the grieving, the sick, and those who were in despair at the sight of death. Jesus’ tears were compassion and mercy toward his people. Our salvation is from unconditional love and mercy.

What our Lord asks us is for mercy rather than sacrifice (Hosea 6:6). Compassion is sharing in suffering from the afflicted. It is crying together with them. It is crying for them. It is about being involved in the situation they are in. It is Jesus’ love and heart. I hope that we have Jesus’ mind in the center of our hearts.  We would be those who weep with those who weep and those who rejoice with those who rejoice.  Our Lord Jesus’ heart is weakened when someone weeps for life-related matters. He was the one who solved their sad problems by sharing in their tears.

Do you weep for injustice or unfairness? If you do so, God will count your tears. King David, who we remember him as the great king in Israelite, had a difficult time because of King Saul’s jealousy. He was a refugee in the wilderness. David wrote his prayers in Psalms, “You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your record?” (Psalm 56:8). He wept before God. God remembers your pain and oppression as God heard David. Do you cry for reconciliation? If you do so, weep before God. God may listen to your tears. Joseph wept for a broken relationship with his brothers because his brothers sold him as a slave. But, his weeping brought reconciliation between him and his brothers. Do you weep for your medical issue, bad medical report, health problem, or for your loved ones’ issue? If you do so, remember Hezekiah’s prayers.

God is weak with tears. So in tears, miracles happen. God gave Samuel to Hannah’s tears of prayer, hearing Hannah’s suffering in unfairness. God gave David the throne through his prayers of tears. And, Hezekiah’s prayers extended his life by fifteen years. The disciple Peter’s tears of repentance empowered him to be the excellent disciples of Jesus. Where tears are, is where forgiveness and reconciliation are. Do you weep for your loved ones in the loss of grief? Your tears may purify your souls and minds, and you may see in heaven. Tears are the gifts of God for healing. When you shed tears, you might awaken spiritually. Khalil Gibran said, “Tears wash my heart and make me understand the secrets and hidden things of life.” If you want to weep, cry before God. God may hear you. Remember when you grieve, God also weeps with you. May your tears of prayers bring you peace and comfort and heal you in spirit and body. Thanks be to God. Amen!

Posted in Sermons