Why Do You Weep???

One of my favorite scenes in the Bible.  A woman comes to Jesus' tomb to anoint His body.  She figures the soldiers guarding the tomb will move the stone for her, after all they understand about ritual and religion, and His body needed some attention.

She gets there and the tomb is empty! Jesus' body was missing! Less than 48 hours ago she watched an angry mob demand his crucifixion. She was there throughout the long hours and the strange sudden darkness and earthquake.  She stood near the foot of the cross as his last breath was drawn. When the men took his body to this tomb, she followed so she would know the way.

Now, someone had stolen him! WHY?? Who would do that? This was the last straw and she began to weep. As she was weeping a man came by. She was too distressed to look up.

"Woman, why are you weeping? Are you looking for Jesus?"

"Yes sir.  I don't know why, but his body is missing! That is so wrong.  Where is it, do you know."

"Jesus' body is missing because He isn't dead, He is alive. During His ministry he told you that this would happen. Quit weeping, you weep for a man that isn't dead."

Then she looks up and recognition is seen on her face. She collapses to the ground.  "Jesus! Praise be!" Oh the joy that quickly replaced the weeping.  Just seeing Jesus and understanding the truth.

It is like Jesus said, "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free." Truth does that.  Understanding the truth of Christ sets us free to live boundless lives. It sets us free to be ourselves, because Jesus loves us.  It sets us free from serious weeping.  Yes, we mourn, but we don't have to weep, because we have a hope that passes this world. The truth of Jesus gives us peace.

So, do you weep because you don't know Jesus, or because you have taken the time to look up and form a relationship with him, so that when he speaks you will recognize his voice? His sheep know him by voice, and we are called to be his sheep.

No more weeping, for JESUS IS ALIVE!!! HE IS RISEN!!! GO AND TELL THE WORLD!!!

-JLP-