Tears

TEARS!

1. Tears of weak belief

Mark 9:23-24

23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

The father had brought his demon tormented child to the disciples who, in spite of all their efforts, could not cast the demons out. The Lord deeply indicated that this was a spiritual problem that must be dealt with by spiritual means so he asked the father an important question, “do you believe?”

The father, desperate now, knew that, if Jesus could cast the demons from his son then surely he could also read the thoughts of his heart, confessed his weak and incomplete belief. But there was something that must have moved the heart of Jesus when he saw them. TEARS!

2. Tears of sorrow for sin

Luke 7:37-38

37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,

38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

I love the phrase bracketed by commas as an afterthought, “which was a sinner.” Think of how many conversations might have that phrase added to it. The mechanic, which was a sinner! The doctor, which was a sinner! The preacher, which was a sinner!

This woman and her sin were well known as she crept in to anoint the Master in the house of the Pharisee. The smell of the ointment filled the nostrils of both the Pharisee and the Savior. The tears, flowing profusely in a never ending stream came from a well of deep sorrow deep in her soul. It was enough to provide the courtesy of washing Jesus’ feet. Such tears we have dammed up inside us as well. We might well flood the earth if it ever burst!

What causes these tears to burst forth? It is the knowledge of forgiveness and the full understanding of the ministry of mercy from the master. Oh! Tears of liberty and gratitude! Will they never end?

These tears attract the tender attention of the Master as he explains the “deadness” in the soul of Simon.

Luke 7:40-45

40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.

41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.

42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?

43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.

44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.

45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.

3. Tears of Warning

Acts 20:31

31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

The warning of the preacher is known but to a few but the warning of parents and loved ones for those who are rebellious is better known. The accompanying tears are also familiar. Everything is tried to free the sinner from his own idiocy! We scold and we plead and finally we weep as we try to effect the tender emotion of those hardened by sin.

4. Tears’ ultimate end

Rev 21:4

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

One glorious day, praise God, tears will feel the tender touch of the Creator’s hand and will yield to his gentle sweep across our tormented cheek. Sorrow shall flee away and mourning shall stand ashamed as joy is released from bondage and explodes with laughter. That day will be heaven!

Dear Lord, let the tears of incomplete belief flow and mingle with tears of joy as we consider the day when both shall be wiped away. AMEN