ODB: sorry about the tears
October 9, 2009
READ: John 11:32-44
[Jesus] groaned in the spirit and was troubled. —John 11:33
My friend was making a major change in her life—she was leaving her employer of 50 years for a new venture. She cried when she said her goodbyes. And as she did, she frequently said, “Sorry about the tears.”
Why do we sometimes feel the need to apologize for crying? Perhaps we look at tears as showing a weakness in our character or a vulnerability we don’t like. Maybe we’re uncomfortable or think our tears are making others uncomfortable.
Our emotions, however, are God-given. They’re a characteristic of our having been made in God’s image (Gen. 1:27). He grieves. In Genesis 6:6-7, He was sorrowful and angry about His people’s sin and the separation it caused between Him and them. Jesus, God in the flesh, joined His friends Mary and Martha in grieving over the loss of their brother Lazarus (John 11:28-44). “He groaned in the spirit and was troubled” (v.33). He “wept” (v.35). “Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb” (v.38). I doubt that He apologized.
Someday when we get to heaven, there will be no more sorrow or separation or pain, and God will wipe away every tear from our eyes (Rev. 21:4). In the meantime, the tears may flow. No apologies needed. — Anne Cetas
If you doubt that Jesus cares, remember His tears.
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October 9, 2009
READ: John 15:1-8
A branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in Me (v.4).
A troubled young man once told Pastor Ray Stedman, “I don’t know what’s the matter with me. I want to be a good Christian, and I try hard, but somehow I just never seem to make it. I’m always doing the wrong thing. I just can’t live like a Christian.”
Pastor Stedman pointed out a Douglas fir tree to the young man and said, “What are the qualities this tree suggests to you?” “It’s strong and it’s beautiful.”
Pastor Stedman said, “Exactly! Beauty and strength. Isn’t that what you desire for yourself too? Where does it get its beauty and strength?”
The young man said, “Well, from the roots.” In John 15, Jesus also used a plant to teach His disciples a similar lesson (v.1). He described the disciples as being branches springing from Himself—the vine. Can a branch bear fruit by itself? Nope. It needs to draw nutrients and water from the vine. Jesus was making the point that the secret to bearing fruit doesn’t lie in the strength of our determination, but in our being grafted into the Source of life.
In verse 7, Jesus gives us this promise: “If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!”
Now this verse is not an open invitation to pursue our own selfish desires. But it presents the truth that when we pray we draw from God the needed resources to produce fruit. Verse 8 states the result of answered prayer: “When you produce much fruit, you are My true disciples. This brings great glory to My Father.”
Want to be spiritually strong and beautiful? Remain in Jesus and depend on Him! He will definitely answer the requests of the child of God who is bearing fruit by His living power. —Poh Fang Chia
In what ways have you been leaning on your own strength for spiritual growth? How will you produce fruit by Jesus’ power today?
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Illustration by Jing Teo
“Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost”
— Luke 15:6 —
Listen: “All That Was Lost” performed by Michael Card from his album Hymns.
For the piano chords, lyrics and another version performed by Kurt Dyrhsen,
log on to http://www.byfor.org/all_that_was_lost.html
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