Tears and Miracles
If we conducted a survey to know whether people prefer tears or miracles, surely the miracles would win by a landslide. Tears usually relate to suffering, and nobody wants more of this. But a miracle is something that anyone is happy to receive.
These two words seem complete opposites, but they are more related than we might think. The truth is that a miracle is something that is only required in situations when there is a need or problem for which there is no human solution. This moment of despair is usually preceded by pain and tears.
A short Bible verse teaches us about the importance of one of these words.
Jesus wept – John 11:35
In reading this passage (John 11: 35-44) we usually focus on the miracle of the resurrection, but we cannot appreciate the resurrection without first considering the power of tears.
When Jesus was in front of the tomb he could not contain his tears. Those who were there interpreted this event as a sign of Jesus’ love for his friend. But let me venture to a different interpretation. Jesus not only wept for Lazarus, whom he knew would resurrect (after all Lazarus would eventually die again). I think the tears of Jesus were for humanity in general. At that moment Jesus saw not only the death of his friend, but also of all those whom God created with a purpose of life, but whose actions led to death. He wept for our sufferings and diseases. He wept because of the condition that has separated us from God. He wept for our reconciliation. His tears are a sign of His love for us.
We cannot avoid suffering, but like Jesus, we can show empathy for those who are experiencing it. We cannot resurrect the dead, but we can lead those suffering to the One who can.
May our tears become the means by which the those in need receive their miracle.
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