Weeping With Those Who Weep

The story is told of a little boy with a big and compassionate heart. His next-door neighbor was an elderly man whose wife had recently died. When the youngster saw the elderly man crying, he simply climbed up onto his lap and sat there.

Later, his mother asked her son what he had said to their saddened neighbor. “Nothing,” the child replied. “I just helped him cry.”

One of the ways we can help our fellow Christians is to “weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). Jesus demonstrated that principle when He visited Mary and Martha after Lazarus died (John 11:14-36). Sensing the depths of Mary’s despair over her brother Lazarus’ death, Jesus shared her grief by weeping (John 11:35). Bystanders took note and said, “See how He loved him!” (John 11:36).

Sometimes the best thing we can do for those who have lost loved ones, is to “help them cry.” Jesus showed us that it’s important to share another’s tears. Is there anyone today who needs our tears?

“A sorrow shared is a sorrow halved.” —Shakespeare

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets