The God Who Weeps
Recently in Bible class, we discussed Jesus raising Lazarus from death. Much could be said about this text, from the disciples’ willingness to die with Jesus to Martha making the same great confession Peter made: that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. But what stands out to me is the fact that Jesus wept.
Jesus knew Lazarus would be alive again in a few minutes, so why did he weep?
This summer at the Christ at the Checkpoint Conference in Palestine, I heard so many stories full of so much pain. But the thing is, I didn’t experience any of the events told in the stories. And when this happens, there are two possible responses. One response is to say, “well that didn’t happen to me, so why should I care?” Another response is to feel the pain as if it were my own and weep. (By the way, only one of these is a Christlike response.)
At Christ at the Checkpoint, I wept…a lot. I find that when I talk about Palestine, I’m always on the verge of weeping. I’m not a Palestinian, and I have not suffered oppression, but I can’t help but weep as I hear their stories.
Jesus raising Lazarus is a story that reveals something very important about God: God weeps with us. God may not perform a miracle, but in the midst of our pain, God is there with us, and God is weeping.
Another important lesson from this story is that in the midst of our pain and suffering, God can handle our questions, doubts, and challenges. We can ask, “Where are you, God?” and it’s okay.
“Weep With Me” Lyrics, by Rend Collective
Weep with me
Lord, will You weep with me?
I don't need answers, all I need
Is to know that You care for me
Hear my plea
Are You even listening?
Lord I will wrestle with Your heart
But I won't let You go
You know I believe
Help my unbelief
Yet I will praise You
Yet I will sing of Your name
Here in the shadows
Here I will offer my praise
What's true in the light
Is still true in the dark
You're good and You're kind
And You care for this heart
Lord I believe
You weep with me
Part the seas
Lord make a way for me
Here in the midst of my lament
I have faith, yes I still believe
That You love me
Your plans are to prosper me
You're working everything for good
Even when I can't see
You know I believe it, yeah
Help my unbelief, oh
Yet I will praise You
Yet I will sing of Your name
Here in the shadows
Here I will offer my praise
What's true in the light
Is still true in the dark
You're good and You're kind
And You care for this heart
Lord I believe
That You weep with me
Turn my lament into a love song
From this lament raise up in anthem
Oh, I'll sing it in the darkness
Oh, Turn my lament into a love song
'Cause I love you Lord
And from this lament raise up in anthem
Yet I will praise You
Yet I will sing of Your name
Right here in the shadows
Right here I will offer my praise
What's true in the light
Is still true in the dark
You're good and You're kind
And You care for this heart
Lord I believe
That You weep with me
Yeah, You weep with me
This blog was originally posted at https://drdougle.substack.com/p/the-god-who-weeps
Mike McDougle is a Peace Catalyst Peace Ambassador in Lithuania. Originally from the United States, “Dougle” is interested in the intersection of peace studies, theology, and culture. Learn more about Dougle here.