Weeping

Jesus wept. He was at the Lazarus’ tomb and was moved at the sadness that those there felt, even though Jesus was just about to raise Lazarus to life.

When Peter weeps it’s for an entirely different reason. Peter has just denied even knowing Jesus, and he did it in a very emphatic way. Peter weeps bitterly. O how Peter must have hurt to know how he had betrayed his Lord.

Do you ever feel like weeping? When we have sinned, when we have betrayed our Lord, we may indeed feel like weeping. That’s good. If we had no remorse, no sorrow for what we had done, that would be a very bad thing indeed. Without remorse, without sorrow over our sin, we stay far away from our Lord, like a marriage partner not upset about being apart from his or her spouse. How will that relationship ever be repaired, if there is no sorrow over the separation? So we separate ourselves from God whenever we sin.

When we realize that separation, when we grieve over what we have done, when we weep bitterly, that is a good thing. It’s the first step toward healing. Then we confess our sins and God who is faithful and righteous forgives our sins and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Then God restores our relationship with him and we once again delight to live closely with God.

Peter had to wait until after Jesus came back to life to hear Jesus forgive him. You and I don’t have to wait. When you’ve sinned, turn quickly to God. Weep and mourn over what you have done. Then rejoice over your forgiveness and the new life you have with God.

Dear Lord Jesus I am so very grieved over the sins I have done. I’m so sorry that I have lived apart from you. Thank you for your forgiveness. Thank you for wiping away my tears. Thank you for new life in you… once again. Please help me to live in lock-step with you according to your will and in love with you.