Jesus Wept—and So Can You

You know the verse. It’s the shortest in the Bible.

"Jesus wept."

But maybe it’s also the most tender.

Because in those two words, we find permission:

• To cry
  
• To feel
  
• To not have it all together
  
  

We live in a world—and often, a church culture—that celebrates strength and stoicism. That can make it hard to trust our tears. We wonder if we should hold it in, suck it up, or "have more faith."

But the Son of God cried in public.
He didn’t apologize.
He didn’t quote a psalm to get out of it.
He wept.

When Faith and Tears Co-Exist

Jesus’ grief wasn’t a sign of spiritual weakness. It was an act of love.

He knew resurrection was coming. But He still made space for sorrow.

That alone undoes so much bad theology. We do not need to skip lament just because hope is on the horizon.

We can:

• Believe in healing and still grieve what was lost
  
• Trust God and still feel devastated
  
• Know the ending and still honor the ache of the middle
  
  

What Your Tears Might Be Saying

Tears have wisdom. They speak when words fall short.
They might be saying:

• "This matters."
  
• "I feel alone."
  
• "Something broke, and I’m not sure how to carry it."
  
  

And God doesn’t silence them. He joins us in them.

Jesus’ tears show us a Savior who isn’t afraid of our humanity.
Who doesn’t rush us past grief.
Who stays in the moment with us, even when the miracle is next.

A Prayer for When You Need Permission to Cry

Jesus,
You wept. You knew what it meant to lose, to ache, to feel the heaviness of love.
Thank You for showing me that tears are not a betrayal of faith.
Sit with me in mine.
Teach me to stay present to what hurts, and to trust that You are here, even in this.
Amen.

Let Your Tears Be Holy

You don’t have to be tough to be faithful.

You don’t have to dry your eyes to be spiritual.

Jesus wept.

And so can you.