Truth and Tears

Jesus often stayed in the home of three friends – Mary, her sister Martha, and their brother Lazarus. When Lazarus became extremely ill, the sisters sent word to Jesus, but He didn’t immediately go to Bethany. By the time He arrived, Lazarus had died and was buried. Martha saw Jesus first, and she said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would  not have died.” Jesus replied with a word of truth, “I am the resurrection and the life.” He spoke truth into Martha’s heart. Shortly thereafter, Mary met Jesus and said the same thing, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” What did Jesus do? He was moved by compassion, and He wept. Truth and tears. Both are needed if we want to effectively love and serve others.

If you speak only truth, that can be too cold. If you only weep, that is full of sentimentality. When we minister to people some of us are mechanics – “Here, let me fix that.” And some are what I call “Kleenex folks.” Jesus was both. One of the names given to Jesus is “Wonderful Counselor.” And He gives us the discernment to know how to serve others, then equips us to provide just what they need.