One of the most blessed, yet profound subjects in the Word of God is that of our Savior's precious tears. There are at least three occasions where we learn of the Lord weeping. They are: as He came near the city of Jerusalem, (Luke 19:41), in the garden of Gethsemane (Matt. 26:36. and Heb. 5:7), and at the grave of Lazarus (John 11:35). These three set forth so wonderfully His infinite love, holiness and compassion.
We may then proceed with unshod feet and bowed head to consider these blessed occasions! In Luke 19:41, we read "And when He was come near, He beheld the city, and wept over it, saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes." O how it touched, yes, grieved the heart of our precious Savior who had come to His people to enrich and bless and give to them, and then to have His infinite love slighted and His gifts refused. Was it not this that drew forth His tears? Well may we sing: "Love that transcends our highest thought, demands our soul, our life, our all"! His love, stronger than death, poured out without limit and free. Where could it have been seen more profoundly and deeper than when He bowed His blessed head on Calvary's cross and gave His life for us?
In yet another scene, the garden of Gethsemane, Heb. 5:7 tells us that this was the occasion for His strong crying and tears. How very awesome and solemn was this scene. Another has written relating to this:
See the lonely Man now bending,
In the lone Gethsemane,
Drops of blood His conflict marking
Whilst He prays in agony!
Yes, the awfulness of His being made sin and of being forsaken of His God pressed in upon His holy soul and brought forth those precious, precious tears and indeed, sweat as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. (Luke 22:44.) What can we say to these things? Holy, holy Lord God Almighty, Amen!
Oh! what a load was Thine to bear
Alone in that dark hour,
Our sins in all their terror there,
God's wrath and Satan's power.
With all this before Him, He still goes on to Calvary and lays down His life for us. Hallelujah, what a Savior!
Having spoken a little on His infinite love seen in His tears as He was entering the city and His profound holiness in the garden, let us now view Him in John chapter eleven. He mingled His tears with His loved ones of Bethany at the graveside of Lazarus. Oh, how very near our Lord Jesus has come to us —knowing the human heart so perfectly, and that divine bosom feeling and sharing the sorrow of the human family as only He could. He weeps with the sisters here, although knowing that in a few moments He would call Lazarus from the grave and restore him alive and well to them. What infinite compassion and sympathy we discover in His tears here. What a glorious companion to have with us here, and there in the glory forever. Beloved, in the light of His tears, we would do well to put His tears into the bottle of our hearts (Psa. 56:8) and be ever reminded of His glorious love, holiness, and blessed sympathy. In conclusion, the beautiful lines of a hymn come to mind:
The higher mysteries of Thy fame
The creature's grasp transcend;
The Father only Thy blest name
Of Son can comprehend.
Worthy, O Lamb of God, art Thou,
That every knee to Thee should bow.
W. O'Brien