Song: City Foursquare
(played by Emily Forster)
I have enjoyed meditating upon a few occasions where we find the idea of “weep not” in the Scriptures.
The life of Christ
In Luke 7:13, the Lord says “weep not” to a mother whose only son had died. In Luke 8:52, the Lord says “weep not” in the face of the death of a father’s only daughter. On both occasions, the power of the word of the greatest Comforter brought the dead to life again. He had a reason to say those words: the dead would rise again. The grief of separation would soon be lifted- weep not!
The death of Christ
In Luke 23:28, the Lord Jesus says to the weeping company of people who followed him toward Calvary, “weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.” His grief would soon be over, but judgment would soon be upon them. His care for them caused him to entreat them to consider the danger they were in rather than occupy themselves in grieving over the suffering He was soon to endure.
The resurrection of Christ
In John 20:15, the Lord Jesus asked Mary “why weepest thou?” There was no reason to weep! The heavenly Joseph was yet alive! The Lord of Glory had risen! This was the answer to Mary’s sorrow. But it is the answer to our sorrow as well. The resurrection of Christ brings joy and hope into our lives. Because He lives, we shall live also.
The coming of Christ
In 1 Thes. 4:13, Paul writes that they “sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.” The Christ who rose again is the same Christ who will return to take His own to be with Himself. The Christ who spoke and raised the dead while here on earth is the Christ who will shout and raise the dead in a soon-coming day. What comfort there is in those words!
Day of judgment
In Rev. 5:5, John is told to “weep not” when none was found worthy to open the book and to loose the seals of judgment. The sacrificial Lamb who had been slain is now the kingly Lion; He who endured the sufferings of Calvary at the hands of wicked men is now worthy to bring judgment upon all who rejected the King of Israel, the Son of God. Weep not! Worthy is the Lamb who was slain! Thus the whole of chapter 5 is taken up with the worth and praise of the Lamb.
Eternal joy
In Rev. 21:4, we are told that “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.” The God that collects our tears in His bottle and writes them in His book will wipe all those tears away (Psalm 56:8). His tear collection will be obsolete, and joy will be ours eternally. The God of all comfort will then bring full and lasting comfort to His own, blood-bought people, and bride and Bridegroom will meet and rejoice together.
What a wonderful prospect!