"The Reason We Weep" (John 11:34-35)

The Power of Weeping: Finding Strength in Vulnerability

In times of hardship and struggle, it's easy to feel overwhelmed, frustrated, and even angry. We may question why God allows difficult situations to persist or why our prayers seem to go unanswered. But what if our tears and cries of anguish are not signs of weakness, but powerful acts of worship that draw us closer to God?

The story of Lazarus in John 11 offers profound insights into the nature of God's timing and the power of our emotional expressions. When Lazarus fell ill, his sisters Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus, expecting him to come immediately and heal their brother. But Jesus delayed, arriving only after Lazarus had died and been in the tomb for four days.

At first glance, this delay seems cruel or indifferent. The sisters and the community were weeping, devastated by their loss and confused by Jesus' apparent lack of concern. But Jesus' response reveals a deeper truth: "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die" (John 11:25).

This powerful "I am" statement reminds us that God is not bound by our timelines or expectations. He is always present, always working, even when we can't see or understand His plan. The delay in Jesus' arrival set the stage for a miracle far greater than a healing – the resurrection of Lazarus from the dead.

In the face of death and despair, Jesus himself wept. This profound display of emotion from the Son of God teaches us several important lessons:

1. Weeping is an act of worship, not a sign of weakness.

When we cry out to God in our pain, we're speaking a language that the Holy Spirit translates directly to our Heavenly Father. Our tears are precious to Him, and He understands the groans of our hearts.

2. Weeping expresses righteous rage against injustice and suffering.

Jesus' tears at Lazarus' tomb were not just sorrow, but a holy anger against the power of death and the brokenness of our world. When we weep over injustice or oppression, we're aligning our hearts with God's.

3. Weeping moves God to action.

Throughout scripture, we see examples of God responding to the cries of His people. In Exodus 3, God tells Moses, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering." Our tears are powerful prayers that invite God's intervention.

4. Weeping can inspire others to work or witness.

After Jesus raised Lazarus, He commanded the community to "Take off the grave clothes and let him go" (John 11:44). Sometimes our vulnerability and honest expression of pain can motivate others to take action or see God's power at work.

In our current cultural climate, it's easy to feel discouraged or hopeless. We may see attacks on education, diversity, and long-held rights. We might witness the erasure of important historical narratives or feel the sting of broken promises from those we thought were allies. But in these moments of despair, we must remember that our weeping is not in vain.

Psalm 30:5 reminds us, "Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." Our tears are temporary, but they serve a vital purpose. They connect us to the heart of God, express our deepest longings, and prepare the way for His miraculous intervention.

When we weep, we're tagging God into our situation. We're saying, "I can't handle this on my own. I need Your divine strength and wisdom." This act of surrender opens the door for God to work in ways we could never imagine.

It's crucial to remember that God's timeline is not always aligned with our expectations. Just as Mary and Martha had to wait for Jesus' arrival, we may go through seasons of waiting and weeping. But God is not absent or indifferent during these times. He is working behind the scenes, preparing for a greater victory than we could have asked for or imagined.

In Deuteronomy 20:4, we're reminded that "the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory." Our tears are not wasted – they are powerful prayers that move the heart of God and prepare the way for His triumphant intervention.

As we navigate challenging times, let us not be afraid to weep. Let our tears be honest expressions of our pain, our anger, and our longing for God's justice and mercy. But let us also weep with hope, knowing that our cries are heard by a loving Father who is more than able to bring resurrection life out of the most hopeless situations.

Remember:

1. It's okay to weep, but don't let your weeping make you weary.

2. It's okay to weep, but don't let your weeping cause you to surrender.

3. It's okay to weep, but don't let your weeping make you weak.

Our weeping is a cry to an Almighty God who hears, who cares, and who acts on behalf of His children. The more we cry out to Him, the more we invite His presence and His power into our circumstances.

So, in whatever situation you find yourself today – whether facing personal loss, witnessing injustice, or feeling overwhelmed by the state of the world – don't hold back your tears. Let them flow as an act of worship, as an expression of your trust in a God who is big enough to handle your raw emotions and powerful enough to bring beauty from ashes.

Your weeping may endure for a night, but joy will come in the morning. Hold fast to hope, for the God who raised Lazarus from the dead is the same God who fights for you today. He hears your cries, He bottles your tears, and He is working all things together for your good and His glory.