There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

Rev 21:2-4 NIV

Tears possess a language of their own. They express joy, fear, sadness, pain, anger, tenderness, and various shades of other emotions. Sometimes they communicate even more effectively than words.

I recently read a liturgy that presented a thoughtful question about Jesus’ tears:

Is it possible that you—in your sadness

over Lazarus, in your grieving for

Jerusalem, in your sorrow in the garden—

is it possible that you have sanctified

our weeping too?*

Observing Jesus’ tears gives me permission to navigate my own humanity openly and honestly.

Because Scripture recorded Jesus as a suffering servant with human emotions and human pain, I sense excitement in Jesus’ words describing the New Jerusalem.  

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away (Rev. 21:3-4 NIV).

I marvel at the thought of "no more tears." The anticipation of this reality brings me great joy, and I’m confident it does the same for Jesus!

Linda Lesniewski

* A Liturgy for Those Who Weep Without Knowing Why," Every Moment Holy, Douglas Kaine McKelvey