Ecclesiastes 3:4  A time to weep…

 

Let’s look at the definition of weep.

 

Weep (verb)- to express grief, sorrow, or any overpowering emotion by shedding tears; shed tears; cry:

 

 Here in a couple of weeks we will also be discussing "a time to mourn”. The definitions are almost similar, the difference is weeping entails the shedding of tears, as mourning does not. To weep is to show grief, sorrow, or any overpowering emotion by shedding tears. We will find many instances in the Bible and we should all pretty much know this verse.

 

John 11:35  Jesus wept.  To summarize that verse in context, Lazarus had died, well let’s back up, Martha and Mary had gone to Jesus letting Him know that Lazarus was gravely ill. Jesus did not go to Lazarus right away, and by the time He did, Lazarus had already died. The Bible said that Jesus saw  those who loved Lazarus were weeping and he groaned in His spirit, not for Lazarus, but for those who were weeping over Lazarus death. Jesus wept for the compassion of those who were weeping over Lazarus’s death. Jesus does raise Lazarus from the dead to finish off the story.

 

  If we learn anything from that passage is that it is ok to weep with others in their time of troubles. Jesus knew he was going to raise Lazarus from the dead, and could had easily told them, do not be troubled for I will raise him. But Jesus demonstrated compassion. 

 

Romans 12:15   Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

 

 We should also weep for our own selves. We must be honest with ourselves and understand we need to have our own compassion, not only in death or troubles but in life itself. We should weep over our families, be emotional over them. If we were to take a deep look into our own families or those who are close to us, we can easily find reason to weep. We will also see situations on the news or life that will warrant us to weep. The Bible gives many examples.

 

Luke 23:28  But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.

 

Revelation 18:19  And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.

 

Throughout the Bible you will see some sort of weeping. Many stories of sorrow that warrant that type of compassion. Sometimes we see someone weeping because of their own actions.

 

Matthew 8:12   But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

 

Matthew 22:13  Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

 

Matthew 24:51  And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

 

Matthew 25:30  And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

 

Probably the most popular story of someone weeping due to their own actions is when Peter denied Christ the 3^rd time.

Matthew 26:75  And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

 

 Another time we know it is a time to weep is when we petition to God. We need to show compassion and true desire when we approach God, whether it is to just worship Him or our deep prayer. Think of how often we see people meet their celebrity heroes and be driven to tears of joy and excitement. Think of the honor that celebrity person feels knowing someone was so passionate to meet them that they cried. Why would we not approach God in the same fashion.

 

Luke 7:38  And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

 

Luke 7:38 is a great example of us coming to the Lord weeping. The  weeping woman that anointed Jesus’s feet was a sinner.  She understood who Jesus was and could not contain her emotions. She set the best example for us.

 

  We can clearly see throughout the Bible when there are times for us to weep. Jesus wept himself. We need to weep for others, ourselves and in the presence of God.