“Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying…” John 20:11-15a
While many turn their attention to the Passion story once a year, for the believer it’s the basis of our faith. The Passion story refers to the sufferings our Lord endured in the Garden of Gethsemane until His agonizing death on the cross.
Mary Magdalene was one of a few women who purchased and prepared spices to anoint the Lord’s body. Three times, in this John passage (verses 11, 13, and 15), we see Mary crying. Despite her grief, we also see Mary’s duty and devotion. However, we also see her despair when Mary, momentarily, loses sight of her Savior (verses 13-14). It’s not until the Lord calls her by name that Mary realizes the risen Savior. Mary’s eyes may have failed her, but her ears could not mistake that voice saying her name. Jesus can preach a perfect sermon in one word.
Beloved, like the song says, “He know my name. He knows my every thought. He sees each tear that falls and hears me when I call…”
Mary’s eyes may have failed her, but her ears could not mistake that voice saying her name. Jesus can preach a perfect sermon in one word.
Women cry for many reasons. God made us with a sensitive nature capable of great depths of feeling. When cultivated, we’ve been wired with the ability to care for, understand, and alleviate the pains of others. Sometimes, many times, pastors’ wives cry because we feel we’re without those who can be trusted with the things we suffer. At these times, we must trust God and unburden our hearts to Him.
Here are some questions for you to prayerfully ponder: What makes you cry? What are you grieving? In your service unto the Lord, have your duty and devotion turned to despair?
Throughout the pages of Scripture, we see weeping women—wives, widows, mothers, the sick, single, and the sinful. Thankfully, the Lord cares for weeping women. He is intimately aware of what we experience and has the capacity to sympathize with our weaknesses (Heb. 4:15). He, too, is a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief (Isa. 53:3). Jesus, Himself, wept (John 11:35).
Beloved, may the following Scriptures bring you closer to the One who understands your sorrow and suffering.
Our tears are precious to God. “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” (Ps. 56:8NLT)
However, we do not grieve as those who have no hope! Our hope is in Jesus Christ, the living Word. “Therefore, do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.” (Heb. 10:35 NKJV)
“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go our weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.” (Ps. 126:6 NIV)
“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Ps. 30:5b NIV)
“To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory.” (Isa. 61:3 NLT)
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
(2 Cor. 1:3-4 NKJV)
“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Rev. 21:4 NKJV)
May the Comforter be especially close and may you hear Him call your name.