The God Who Weeps

I've been utterly baffled (for lack of a better word!) for quite some time now by the thought of a God who is referred to as "a Man of Sorrows" (Isaiah 53). Is it really true that the very God who spoke the universe into existence experienced what it was like to weep and mourn? Isaiah also described Christ as being familiar with pain and suffering. It wasn't just a one-time occurrence-- He was actually familiar with it and experienced it throughout His 33 years on earth! This, to me, is simply amazing! What world religion out there worships a god who suffers? Have you ever stopped to think about that? Christ was "stricken by God, smitten by Him, and afflicted." But why? So glad you asked:) Isaiah answers that important question, "... He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities... by His wounds we are healed." He experienced pain, suffering, mourning, and weeping (all human experiences as a result of the fall) because of His love for US!

This also reminds me of Hebrews 4:15 where the author says we have a High Priest (Christ) who can sympathize with our weaknesses (yet without sin). Have you ever felt that God is too far removed from your pain? Have you ever felt that God cannot relate to your tears of sadness? It is encouraging to know that we have a Savior who CAN relate. He didn't experience sadness as a result of sin (guilt, fear, lack of hope, self-pity, etc.), but He certainly experienced loss. He wept over Jerusalem because it was a city that was blinded to the truth of His coming (Lk. 19:41). He knew what it was like to lose a close friend He deeply cared about (Jn. 11:25). He also knew what it was like to lose a close family member-- there is no mention of His step-father, Joseph, past the early part of the gospels (Jn. 19:26,27 clearly indicates Mary was a widow at that time). In fact, He went through more than we can ever imagine (or will experience ourselves)! Martin Luther said, "When I consider my crosses, tribulations, and temptations, I shame myself almost to death thinking of what they are in comparison to the sufferings of my blessed Saviour, Jesus Christ."
He actually sweat blood, was beaten and mocked, and was publicly humiliated and embarrassed when His nakedness was exposed on the cross. Imagine the emotional pain He experienced on the most tragic and heroic day ever!! He was so sorrowful in the garden, to the point of death, as He anticipated the moment when His Father would turn His back on Him as He bore the sin of mankind (Mt. 26:38). So, the next time you are hurting and the tears won't stop flowing, remember He is there for you. Like a loving Father, He knows your sorrow and pain and will be the "God of all comfort" (2 Cor. 1:3).

One of my heroes of the faith is Michael Card-- author, theologian, song writer, and musician extraordinaire (hey, I really like the guy!! lol). He wrote an entire album devoted to lament, called "The Hidden Face of God." In one of his songs, he writes:

In Eden, the darkening garden was still unwet by all the tears from the sky. The burden of that disobedient bite brought all the tears the fallen world would cry. The unwelcomed tears that they never had known coursed down their fallen faces in surprise. All they ever had seen was the light of His face, but now that sin had entered in, their tears would fall like rain. Falling tears from fallen eyes. Our faces with an unaccustomed stain. We were driven from the garden beneath the cloudless sky, for human tears are older than the rain. And so we all were driven from His presence and His peace to stumble all along this long lamenting race. From the deepest darkest shadows, He joins us on our way, and we recognize our fallen tears upon that Human Face.

Before God brought the Flood as punishment for a wicked world (Gen. 6:5), there was no rain on the earth. There was a greenhouse type environment where plants were watered through a mist that came up from the ground (Gen. 2:5,6)... probably not completely unlike that cool mist that waters the fresh produce at your local grocery store (haha! Okay, maybe not quite). Like rain, I don't believe tears were a part of the original creation either. Tears were the result of shame and guilt as Adam and Eve chose to disobey God's clear command. They were driven from the garden and clothed by God from the skin of an innocent animal (the first sacrifice, a picture of Christ- Gen. 3:21). It was likely around this event, that the first tears were shed.

We see that sin separates us from God and caused suffering to enter into the world. This resulted in God choosing to become a man to save us, which resulted in the Creator experiencing the punishment intended for the creation. And this is the amazing thing, as Michael Card so poetically says, "He joins us on our way and we recognize our fallen tears upon that Human Face." That's what I think about when I read the Bible's shortest verse, "Jesus wept" (John 11:35). He took part in our suffering!

Of course, not all tears are tears of sadness. We often cry out of happiness. Maybe a touching story of an athlete who overcame cancer or maybe a news clip of an unwanted child adopted by a loving family. It can also be out of gratefulness and awe. Realizing the presence of God during an emotional worship service or remembering how God brought a lost sinner out of despair and into a victorious, joyous life. It could even be romance that brings tears to our eyes. Hearing of the perfect wedding proposal... at the beach... during sunset... with a lovely string-quartet playing Pachelbel's "Canon in D Major" in the background (okay, getting carried away here!). Although I can't prove this, I believe that the tears of joy we shed are an example of how God can redeem something originally brought about as a result of the Fall and make it a thing of beauty. Just like the first rain brought a Flood that would judge the entire world, we later see throughout Scripture that it would become a sign of God's blessing. In similar fashion, tears originated from loss and suffering, but would also come to be a sign of joy and reconciliation (Gen. 45:14,15 shows a grateful Joseph as he wept at the reunion of his brothers). God has a way of mending and redeeming what was once broken! So, the next time the Broncos win in the final seconds of the game and you are overcome with happy tears (haha!), think about the God who can take something and redeem it by bringing new life and meaning to it.

We serve a Mighty God who is amazing! He can relate to us. He can comfort and meet us where we are at. He's "been there." And yes, He can even restore us and make us new and give meaning to our lives. Let's learn to praise Him with ALL of who we are and to go to Him during times of sorrow AND joy.

~AF

ps... I would love to hear some feedback from anyone out there! Additional thoughts or insights?