“Do not weep” (Part 2)
Written by Edward Ruiz
Read Part 1 here.
The counsel, this command, this invitation to this woman is more than what may seem on the surface. It would be a brief warning that he was about to do something to circumvent her situation; to bring her son back to life, which he in fact did just after telling her not to weep. But more than that, this counsel is designed to point her beyond the moment and into eternity. The resurrection of her son was only a temporary fix because we know her son eventually died a second time.
The pangs of the death of a spouse or child can come not only in various kinds of waves, at unexpected times, alternating intensities and duration, but they all appear to require weeping in order to manage. Indeed, weeping comes so naturally when we think of our dead relations.
It requires serious deliberation to act otherwise. In fact, it requires a direct encounter with Jesus, do not weep.
Unless Jesus says otherwise, we will weep, perhaps indefinitely. But because Jesus has the authority to call us to weep not, we must pause to consider the light of Jesus’ refrain, do not weep.
Three things to consider: Heaven, Hell and the work of the Holy Spirit.
Heaven: In Heaven there will be no weeping; there are no tears (Rev 21:4 (NIV). In Heaven, all is perfectly well.
Hell: There is nothing but weeping and gnashing of teeth (Cf Matt 25:30 (NIV). Nothing is well, only perpetual torment.
The work of the Spirit: Our weeping offers tears and our tears are our food day and night (Psalm 42:3). But Jesus exchanges our tears of food with his flesh and blood, “For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink,” (John 6:55 NIV).
The work of the Spirit is to get us to partake of Christ in order to remain in Christ. We partake in Christ when we enter into the new life he has given us. But we can only enter into this new life if we have first experienced a kind of death.
Clarity of the resurrection becomes the aim of the command to not weep. John Flavel better states it: “The resurrection of her son from the dead is the ground upon which Christ builds her consolation and relief.” The clearer our view of the resurrection, tears of sorrow move to tears of joy.
Application & Reflection Questions:
How does Jesus’ command, “do not weep” sit with you? Do you sense him stifling and trouncing your pain, or inviting to look beyond the pain?
How does the promise of a resurrection on the last day minister to your heart, even while sorrow may persist?
Reflect on your anticipation of the resurrection — what do you look forward to?
Reflect on Rom 8:11-11 (ESV) “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” How does Christ’s resurrection and the promise of your resurrection temper or moderate your grief?
How does Jesus’ dealings with this poor widow shape how you might pray anew for your own heart?
What other questions come to mind for you? May I encourage you to start a conversation with a friend about those questions.
Edward Ruiz is a counselor at Life Counseling Center. He has a mission of providing clinically informed counseling from a Biblical counseling worldview. This is done by walking alongside children, adolescents, couples, singles and families who face hardship and difficulty, suffering and pain on this side of heaven, and extending comfort and care that comes from Christ. Read Edwards full bio here.
To request an appointment with Edward or one of our other counselors, click here.
