Why are you Weeping?
Introduction
Women are more prone to tears
In the Scriptures you find many examples of women weeping – examples
There are men who weep – examples of Simon and Jesus
You might be wondering what verse we are looking at
Looking at questions in John’s Gospel
Woman, why are you weeping? (v13, 15)
Overview:
What our tears show
Speaking to our tears
How our tears can give way to joy and peace
What our tears show
When Jesus wept at the grave of Lazarus – the people said ‘see how He loved him’
Mary was weeping – sobbing
See how Mary Magdalene loved Jesus
One of the last at the cross
Last to leave the tomb – but the first to arrive
The first to discover the tomb was empty
The first person to see the risen Lord Jesus Christ
She went to (further) anoint Jesus
Her tears reveal how much she loved Jesus
Why did she love Jesus?
She had a wicked and wretched life
She was possessed by seven spirits (not mental illness)
She was delivered
She was forgiven and cleansed
He turned her life around
When she found the tomb empty she was devestated
She sobbed and wept
She was crying funeral tears
We need to cry and weep
Jesus wept when Jerusalem rejected Him
What do our tears show?
Self-pity?
Rage?
Disappointment?
Quarrels?
Repentance?
She loves Jesus – v13
They have taken away her Lord
Not just "the" Lord (v2) but "my" Lord (v13)
Is Jesus your Lord?
Do you weep because you feel a distance from Jesus?
What do your tears reveal this morning?
Speaking to our tears
Much sorrow is not good for us
Continual crying
Example of the Psalmist
Our tears can distort how we see things
We concentrate on our situation and lose sight of God
We need the question ‘why are you weeping?’
Interesting the question comes twice
We need to be objective and not just trust our feelings
Mary’s reaction to the angel
The guards fled
Her emotions have so overcome her she treats the angels as ordinary men
We need to consider the situation
Are we unmoved by the content of a church service?
Do we ask questions?
We need to look up to Christ on the throne
Her problem was doubt and unbelief
Jesus had plainly said He would rise from the dead on the third day
She could not see due to doubt and unbelief
Does doubt and unbelief prevent us from seeing?
How our tears can give way to joy and peace
Jesus deals with Mary tenderly
Jesus allows her to speak
People need to vent their feelings
Jesus asks a question so she can open up
People need to share feelings and be able to open up
Jesus speaks her name
Just one word
Not ‘why didn’t you believe?’
In hearing this, she understands
Her heart is flooded with joy and peace
Jesus gives her hope
He explains what will happen
Jesus gives us hope
Do you hear Jesus Christ speaking to you this morning?
Does He have a word for you?
Repent
Forgiven
Peace
The disciples needed to hear from the woman and from Jesus
Peace (20:19, 21)
Do you need to let the peace of God reign in your heart? – 2 Thess 3:16
Your name
We may know sorrow and weeping but then comes joy
Jesus is our sabbath rest and peace
Jesus appeared on Sunday – the new day of the Lord
We must rest on Sunday
The old Sabbath was passing away to be replaced with the Sunday rest
Closing Remarks
Is their turmoil in your soul?
Turn to Jesus