Real Men Cry
Because Jesus Wept

Colin Melbourne

© 98-08 Born-Again-Christian.info

Then He worked miracles bringing salvation and deliverance to the captives. You can too if you are born of God and follow the compassion of Christ.

It's fashionable for men to be seen shedding tears. Recently, the media have shown Presidents, Prime Ministers, and top business men, crying in public. A "very modern" thing to do, as one cynical journalist noted. Even the traditionally reserved British have joined in. PM Tony Blair's normally stiff-upper lip quivered noticeably during his tribute to Princess Diana. President Bush did the same recently.

Once, such shows of emotion would have been perceived as a weakness, now they are viewed as revealing tenderness and humanity. Quite a vote-puller for politicians with an eye on public relations.

But public tears are not new at all. Real men have always cried. Not tears of self-pity or frustration, but tears of sympathy and compassion. Crying over personal misfortune is understandable. But weeping with, and for others in genuine compassion is godly. Jesus said to His followers:

Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Holy Bible Lk. 6:21 NIV

The Psalmist sang:

Those who sow in tears, will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow will return with songs of joy carrying sheaves with them. Ps. 126:5-6

Show me an evangelist or missionary who does not weep for sinners, and I'll show you somebody who is wasting their time.

When a believer, moved by compassion, weeps for others, God's Hand is on that person to lift, bless, and heal.

When a believer is moved by genuine compassion, they are moved by God's love. If they follow it, He will work miracles through them. If they ignore it, and harden their hearts, they frustrate the plan of God.

Jesus' heart was always tender, it still is. He was constantly moved and directed by compassion.

One time He needed to be alone with His Father, and sought out a solitary place. His personal pain must have been enormous, for His cousin John the Baptist had been murdered.

Christ described John as the greatest man born of woman. Yet he was cut down like a dog for speaking God's Word.

Crowds of hurting needy folk chased after Jesus. Perhaps you or I would have asked to be left alone for a while;

"Don't you understand? John was very special to me. Please give me a break."

Not Jesus. Everyone in the throng was just as special to Him. You are too.

The crowds were wondering if Jesus was the Christ. He gave them hope. They must have thought,

"God is working wonders through this Jesus, perhaps
He will heal me too?"

Jesus Christ, God in the Flesh, looked upon the pursuing crowds, limping through the hot dusty countryside reaching out for love, for God.

Christ was moved with compassion, and He...

... healed their sick.

Then fed them by a miracle. Mtt. 14:13-21

If you are sick or hurting, look to Jesus in faith and expect your miracle now. He's just the same today as of old. Full of mercy and compassion, ready to do for you,

... just as you believe.

More than this, as a believer in Christ you can DO what He did. Jesus said so

Anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. Jn. 14:12

Follow the Holy Spirit, moving you with compassion.

The onlookers rebuked two blind beggars who called after Jesus;

Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us! Mtt. 20:21

What a plea to move God's heart. The self-righteous religious folks sneered, and rejected His claim to be the Christ. Two humble sinners recognized His Messiahship, and called for mercy. Jesus had compassion on them, touched their eyes, and restored their sight.

When you accept Jesus Christ as Saviour you have humbled yourself, and have a right to perfect redemption, from sin and sickness.

Christ longs for you to call on Him believing for your miracle, and He will make it good for you.

And now, under the New Covenant, any Spirit-filled believer can open blind eyes in Jesus' Name.

Jesus cried often over sin and its terrible consequences.

The Lord wept over Jerusalem; foreseeing its destruction. His heart went out to a grieving widow who was burying her only son, then He raised the dead man with a single touch.

Any believer moved by His compassion can do that, if they will just believe. Jesus said so.

It is wonderful to meet people whom Christ has raised from the dead. It's a regular occurrence amongst believers in Africa and Asia. Not because God loves Africans and Asians more than Westerners. He loves us all the same. It's simply that without faith it's impossible to please God, and few Westerners have real Bible faith.

Remember when Jesus returned to Nazareth, the Bible tells us He couldn't do many miracles there because of the people's unbelief. But praise God, some Westerners do have Bible faith. One English preacher I met personally has been raised from the dead, not once, but twice. If that can happen in back-slidden England, God can do it anywhere.

But, a hard 'macho' heart can never do such things. If you want to follow in Christ's steps, you are going to have to develop a tender heart. And be ready to weep in sincerity for the needy.

Real men and women cry, because Jesus is The Perfect Man, and He cried.

Jesus wept... 'Take away the stone.' he said. Jn. 11:35+38

Then he raised the dead

You can do that too. Jesus said so.

Anyone who has faith in me, will do what I've been doing. Jn. 14:12

Are you anyone?

Do you have faith in Christ?