Weep with Those Who Weep

In Romans, Paul writes to “Weep with those who Weep,” which could also be written, Mourn with those who Mourn.

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15).

One of the benefits of being in the family of God relates to the fact that God both told us to weep with those who weep, but also, in the love of Jesus Christ and as part of His family, we naturally desire to weep with those who weep. We observe others in tender compassion. We desire to help bear the burdens of others. Again, yes, these are commands (cf., Gal 6:1-5), but yet, they are so much more. We are happy to bear the burdens of others.

The Apostle Paul uses the analogy of the body. When one part of the body hurts, the whole body hurts along with it. Of course in the physical body, this is natural. When you hurt, you hurt all over. In the body of Christ, it should be as natural as well – at least when we have the right perspective (cf., 1 Cor 12:12-26).

We mourn in hope.

We do not mourn as those without hope. Again, the Apostle Paul helps us here.

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus (1 Thess 4:13-14).

We call this kind of hope, resurrection hope. The resurrection proves that Jesus defeated death and the grave. As followers of Jesus, we also participate in that defeat. We have confidence that Jesus’ resurrection proves that God accepted His sacrificial atonement as a substitutional atonement for each of those who have a personal relationship with him.

My friend died today. His wife posted: “The sweet love of my life entered the arms of Jesus at 12:53 am this morning. We are holding onto, and believing the promise that we will see him again one day in heaven. Thank you for your overwhelming prayers, love, and support for myself, our children, grandchildren, family and church family.”

Did you see what my wife’s friend posted? Her confidence and hope are in the resurrected Christ. Her gratitude is in those around her who know Christ also.

Meaningless Clichés? No, not really.

You possibly have heard someone say before:

• The sun will shine again.
• You may see the clouds, but above the clouds the sun is shining brightly.
• It will be light in the morning.
• The darkest part of the night is right before morning.
• Than came the morning.

These statements are somewhat similar. However, they have experienced hope in common. In one way or another, each of these statements take something we know to be true in nature and apply it to our weeping and mourning.

Further, We do have temporary trials. When we get to heaven, eternity begins, and will be very long.  To graph “today” on a timeline of eternity would make our line mark for today very small. Although we live with an acute awareness of today and the burdens of this day; in light of eternity, it is but a very small period.

In fact, you could say it this way: Our lives are an important prelude of the future (James 1:18). God works in us to help us become more like Christ. He uses the events of this life to help mold us better into His image. As He does, we function as a firstfruit of the future new heavens and new earth. In other words, we help others anticipate what it will be like when all the world is redeemed, renewed, and living in ceaseless praise to our Heavenly Father.

Today, we weep with those who weep.

So today, we weep with those who weep. We do so because we are compelled by our hearts of love for fellow individuals in the body of Jesus Christ. As we do, we get a foretaste of what it will be like when we all are in heaven. We hope alongside the family for the future day of resurrection.