Beyond Tears: The Strength of Vulnerability
Embracing Authentic Emotions
Is crying a sign of weakness?
Lee Kuan Yew could not control his tears when he announced the separation of Singapore from Malaysia on Aug 9, 1965. Search the Internet for a lot of examples of great men (including US Presidents) who wept openly in public. Search a bible concordance for the word “wept” and you will find quite a long list of examples (in both OT and NT) of God’s people weeping when in grief.
It is unmistakable that it is natural for people to let flow their tears when they have reason to do so. It is a normal expression of human emotion. It is a sign of strength that one is tough enough to be candid about his feelings instead of putting on an untrue appearance.
So, feel free to cry instead of holding it in when you need to relieve some emotional burden.
“Jesus Wept” (John 11:35)
Despite its brevity, this verse reveals vividly the genuinely human side of Jesus’ life, a testimony of His complete oneness with us in our humanity despite His divine authority.
“He wept for Mary, her family, and her friends. Jesus’ heart goes out to those who mourn (cf Mt 5:4; Rm 12:15).” – TLSB
After this, Jesus proceeded to assert His divine authority in raising Lazarus from the dead.
Hence, we know that Jesus is both God and man:
- being fully God having absolute power over life and death (demonstrated by the raising of Lazarus);
- being so truly man showing full experience and understanding of human feelings in his commiseration with His friends who were in mourning.
“Rejoice Evermore” (1 Thess 5:16)
Now associate “Jesus Wept” with “Rejoice Evermore” (1 Thess 5:16). They are the only two shortest verses in the Bible.
“Jesus Wept” gives us cause to “Rejoice Evermore”:
- For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses. (Heb 4:15a)
- We can approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Heb 4:16)
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