Weeping

by QUARTUS | Category: For Young Believers | Dec 1955

It is interesting and profitable to consider two contrasting words used concerning the weeping of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is especially so as some people seem to think that only the conspicuous and audible shedding of tears denotes intensity of feeling.

"And when He drew nigh, He saw the city and wept over it" (Luke 19.41). This is weeping with "bitter sobs and cries," not in this case the silent shedding of a tear, but a distinct sobbing aloud. His compassionate sorrow knew no restraining influence, the heaving sobs being clear for all to see.

But when we come to John 11.35, we get something entirely different, "Jesus wept." This is not crying aloud, but rather it signifies the silent shedding of tears. This word occurs nowhere else in the New Testament; it denotes crying silently. This seems t6 be borne out very clearly by the previous verse 38. "When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit." Though deeply moved, He seemed to curb His strong emotions. His deep feelings were restrained within Him. There was no visible sobbing or wailing aloud; yet the tears were nevertheless heartfelt and deep.

Let us never judge a person's depth or intensity of feeling by the conspicuous sobs, remembering that the Lord Jesus Himself sometimes sobbed aloud and at one time at least He cried silently. The great God alone can judge the heart. "Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart" (1 Samuel 16.7).

QUARTUS | Dec 1955
For Young Believers