The Weeping Tree

I Weep

"Today I weep for a world in which I am surrounded by darkness. I weep for the young man in my congregation fighting cancer, for the marriage that is on life support, for the health complications of the newborn child. Today I weep for churches who are struggling and closing. Today I weep for my denomination, whose numbers, and in some ways whose identity, is slipping away. Today, I weep. Today I join the disciples in their confusion, sadness, and anger. I mourn for those who feel abandoned. I weep with those who feel forsaken by God and have more questions about life, the world, and even God, than they do answers. Today I do not grieve as one with no hope. I do believe that God is a God of life. I believe that God is able to bring light where there is darkness. I believe that cancer can be healed, that marriages can be restored. I believe that churches, and even denominations can struggle or even close, only so that they can be resurrected to something better. I believe in a God who, in the midst of death, is the ultimate giver of life. I know how the story ends. Just not today. To those who suffer today, I hurt with you. Hold on my friends. I don’t always know in what way, or how, or even when, but Joy will come in the morning, even if that morning is so very far away. But today it’s enough to mourn. And I find comfort in the reality that I do not mourn alone." Chad Pierce, Reformed Journal

As human beings, we weep for a variety of reasons. Sometimes we weep because of physical pain or discomfort, but more often we weep in response to emotional experiences such as sadness, grief, joy, or even awe. Weeping can be a natural and healthy way to express our emotions and release the feelings that we hold within us. When we weep, we may feel a sense of relief, as though we are shedding some of the emotional weight that we carry. It can be a way to process our feelings and come to terms with the situations we face in life. Weeping is a natural human response to a wide range of emotions, including sadness, grief, joy, frustration, anger, and even relief. Weeping can be triggered by various life events, such as loss of a loved one, experiencing personal or societal injustices, feeling overwhelmed or stressed, or even feeling grateful for a blessing.

Weeping can have a cathartic effect on us, allowing us to release pent-up emotions and tension that we have been holding onto. It can also help us process and cope with difficult situations, and provide us with a sense of emotional relief and healing. Moreover, weeping can also be a form of communication, expressing our needs and feelings to others. When we weep, we signal to others that we need comfort, support, or understanding. It can create a bond between people, as we share in our emotions and connect on a deeper level.

For believers, weeping can also be a form of prayer and an expression of our faith. Weeping can be a way to pour out our hearts to God, seeking his comfort, guidance, and help. It can be a way to deepen our relationship with God and to find solace in his presence Weeping is a natural human response to a wide range of emotions and life events. It can have a cathartic effect on us, help us process and cope with difficult situations, and provide us with emotional relief and healing. It can also be a form of communication, a way to connect with others, and a way to deepen our faith and relationship with God.

We Weep

The emotional journey of Holy Week to this day of glorious resurrection celebration is one of great emotion; horror; sadness; fear; anxiety; deep sorrow and weeping. As our author. Chad Pierce, indicates in our opening words there is much sorrow in our lives. There is sorrow we find in our faith communities; our civic communities, the nations and the world; our friends and families - sometimes it seems as though there is so much to hold, we simply cannot do it. We cannot hold the struggles; we reach compassion exhaustion and face an empty cup - and we weep.

I imagine that this is the sorrow and struggle of the journey of what we now call, Holy week. We know that weeping is not unusual in the New Testament - throughout the scriptures we see examples of those who weep: But weeping can also be an expression of joy, repentance, and gratitude. In the New Testament, weeping takes on a particularly significant role, as it is often linked to our relationship with God and our salvation through Jesus Christ.

As we explore the New Testament, we come across several instances where weeping plays a significant role in the lives of the people of God. These moments of weeping reveal the depths of human emotion and the impact of God's grace and mercy in our lives. One of the most famous examples of weeping in the New Testament is the story of Jesus weeping at the tomb of his friend Lazarus. When Jesus arrived at the tomb and saw the sorrow of Lazarus' sisters and the mourners gathered there, he wept. His tears were a powerful expression of his compassion for those who were grieving and his own sorrow at the loss of his friend. But his tears were also a prelude to the miraculous resurrection of Lazarus, a sign of the power of God to overcome death and bring new life.

Another example of weeping in the New Testament is the story of the woman who washed Jesus' feet with her tears. This woman, who was known for her sinfulness, came to Jesus with a broken and contrite heart. She wept as she poured perfume on Jesus' feet and wiped them with her hair, an act of humility and devotion. Jesus forgave her sins and commended her for her faith, demonstrating the power of God's grace to transform even the most broken and sinful among us. Yet another instance of weeping in the New Testament is when Peter wept after denying Jesus three times. Peter, who had been one of Jesus' closest disciples, denied knowing him out of fear. When he realized what he had done, he wept bitterly, overcome with shame and regret. But Jesus forgave him and restored him to his place as a leader among the apostles, demonstrating the power of God's mercy to redeem even our greatest failures and mistakes.

One of the most poignant examples of weeping in the New Testament is found in the Gospel of Luke. In chapter 19, we read the story of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. As he approaches the city, the crowds are filled with excitement and joy, shouting "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" (Luke 19:38, NIV). But as Jesus draws closer to the city, he begins to weep. Luke writes, "As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it" (Luke 19:41, NIV).

Why did Jesus weep over Jerusalem? It was because he knew that the city would reject him and his message of salvation. He knew that his own people would not recognize him as the Messiah and would ultimately call for his crucifixion. Jesus wept not only for the people of Jerusalem, but for all those who would reject him and turn away from the offer of eternal life.

But Jesus' weeping was not just a display of sorrow and grief. It was also an expression of his deep love and compassion for all those who were lost and in need of salvation. Jesus wept because he knew that the only way for people to be saved was through faith in him as the Son of God. He wept because he knew that many would choose to reject him and turn away from the offer of eternal life.

Another example of weeping in the New Testament is found in the Gospel of John. In chapter 11, we read the story of Jesus' friend Lazarus, who had died and was buried in a tomb. When Jesus arrived at the tomb, he was deeply moved and wept. The people around him were confused and asked, "See how he loved him!" (John 11:36, NIV).

Jesus' weeping over Lazarus was not just a display of his grief over the loss of his friend. It was also a sign of his power and authority over death. Jesus knew that he was about to raise Lazarus from the dead, and his weeping was a prelude to the miracle that was about to happen. In weeping over Lazarus, Jesus demonstrated his deep love and compassion for his friend, but also his power to overcome even the most hopeless situation.

In the book of Hebrews, we read that Jesus "offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death" (Hebrews 5:7, NIV). This passage refers to Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, where he wept and prayed for the strength to carry out the God’s will. Jesus knew that he would soon be arrested, tried, and crucified, and he wept over the pain and suffering that he would endure.

But Jesus' weeping in the Garden was not just a display of his fear and anxiety. It was also a sign of his obedience and submission to the Father's will. Jesus knew that his death on the cross was necessary for the salvation of all humanity, and he wept not for himself, but for the sin and brokenness of the world. In weeping and praying in the Garden, Jesus demonstrated his deep love and commitment demonstrate his deep love and compassion for all humanity, as well as his power and authority over death and sin.

Mary Weeps

Today, we gather together to reflect upon the powerful and poignant moment when Mary Magdalene wept at the tomb of Jesus after his resurrection. It is a moment that speaks volumes about the depth of her love for Jesus, as well as the profound impact that he had on her life.

When Mary Magdalene arrived at the tomb early on that first Easter morning, she found that the stone had been rolled away and the tomb was empty. Distraught and confused, she wept, thinking that someone had taken the body of her Lord. Even when she saw the two angels in the tomb, she was so consumed with grief that she did not recognize them.

It was only when Jesus himself appeared to her, calling her by name, that she realized that he had risen from the dead. At that moment, her tears turned to joy, and she ran to tell the disciples the incredible news.

But it is important to remember that Mary's tears were not just a sign of her sadness and confusion. They were also a testament to the depth of her love for Jesus. Mary had been a devoted follower of Jesus for many years, and had witnessed firsthand the miracles he performed and the teachings he shared. She had been healed by him, both physically and spiritually, and had been transformed by his love and grace.

So when she thought that his body had been taken away, she was not just mourning the loss of a teacher or a friend. She was mourning the loss of the one who had given her life and hope, the one who had shown her the true meaning of love and compassion.

And yet, even in her grief, Mary was not alone. Jesus was with her, even when she did not recognize him. He saw her tears and heard her cries, and he was there to comfort her and to show her that he had triumphed over death.

When tears become JOY

In many ways, Mary's tears are a reflection of our own struggles and doubts. We too may feel overwhelmed by grief or confusion, unsure of where to turn or what to do. But just like Mary, we can take comfort in the fact that Jesus is always with us, even when we do not recognize him. He sees our tears and hears our cries, and he is there to comfort us and to show us the way forward.

Mary weeps, but her weeping is not bound to one emotion; or to just one incident. Mary weeps as she carries the sorrow of the week - a week that began, as we recall -in great rejoicing and Hallelujahs at the arrival of the King. We know her joyful tears quickly begin to turn to tears of fear and anxiety; troubled by the pace of the change in the crowd and in the politics of the Empire.

She watches as one she loves is harassed; arrested; tried; convicted and executed in the space of a few days, according to our text. A government that fears this “King” that does not battle with arms and weapons - but with words and stories; parables and healing; talk of justice and loving one’s neighbor; loving those who are marginalized; excluded and exiled. Jesus, who stands his ground in silence, letting his words stand, even in the betrayal of a loved one as well as the people some of whom had likely welcomed his arrival.

She watches as the community chooses the release of a know criminal over the loved one. She watches as the disciples disappoint, the men who are afraid and hide. She sits with some as Jesus’ execution is carried out - the execution of justice in an Empire of injustice, greed, power and oppression. The execution of the one who proclaims value in all people; the one who has healed many from their infirmities and the things that held them bound to darkness. The execution of the One who set so many free, including Mary herself, from the shackles that bound them to their sorrow and to their weeping. This is the spot, where tears of sorrow and weeping begin their transition to tears of joy and hope.

The weeping tree

Upon the wind there comes a call, a whisper soft and low, a lonesome cry that fills the night and echoes through the soul It stirs the seeker tender heart. It bids them come and see, to kneel in shadow cast by grace, to touch the weeping tree. Against the sky the timers rise, a silhouette of grace, a rugged throne for heaven’s own, the sinner’s hiding place. It’s burdened arms reach out to all; they draw the world to see the price of love is paid in blood upon the weeping tree. O come to the place where promise lives and rest where hope begins, where crimson leaves adorn the ground, a gift from graceful winds. O come and walk the winding path that leads to Calvary. Come lay your burdens down and rest beneath the weeping tree Come lay your burdens down and rest beneath the weeping tree

Written by Joseph M. Martin

Mary, somehow, gets through the night, waiting for dawn when she can go to the grave and prepare Jesus’ body. It is the custom of the Jewish people to prepare the body with oils and spices and wrapping for burial within the first day after death. She anticipates that this will be the same task at hand for Jesus, not completely understanding the nature of his teachings about the resurrection. She goes to the tomb and finds it open, and empty. She weeps now for this loss cuts more deeply - that she cannot prepare the body properly for burial. The body is gone - was is stolen? Was it desecrated? Who could have taken it? Who would have wanted it? Why, why, why has Jesus body gone missing.

John 20:11–18 (NRSV)

But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

We can only imagine the tears of joy that Mary now experiences in seeing the one she loves in the garden. The one who first appears to Mary alone; the one who Jesus sends to the other disciples (who had left the tomb) the message of his resurrection and ascension. Sorrow turns to joy, weeping in the night turns to joyful weeping in the morning.

We are reminded, that to experience joy, to recognize that which brings us happiness; revival; renewal and restoration, can only come through the struggle. That which seems to burden us; to hold us back, that which creates fear, anxiety and worry are the very elements that will bring us to joyful tears. We took this rather dark journey today - to revisit the walk of Jesus from great joy to horror and death so that we are able to truly live into the JOY that comes in the morning. The JOY that we know came in the early dawn, when Jesus left the grave and revealed himself to Mary, who I often think is perhaps really the “disciple that Jesus loved most”

Let us take heart in the example of Mary Magdalene, and let us turn to Jesus in times of trouble and sorrow. Let us remember that he is the one who can heal our wounds, lift our burdens, and give us hope for the future. And let us trust in the power of his resurrection, knowing that he has conquered death and brought us the gift of eternal life.

To the One who loves us, be glory and power.

To the One who has freed us from our sins, be glory and power.

To the One who has brought us into the kingdom, be glory and power.

Look, the One long‐awaited has come.