Have you ever wondered if God cries? Well, He does. In fact, God weeps! I suppose most people don’t think about it. Nevertheless, it likely happens more often than you or I can imagine. When God weeps, He connects with you and me. Actually, that’s quite comforting. Plus, it gives permission to you to weep when your life overflows with disappointment.
What does God weep about?
Tear Into It – When God Weeps
In this content, we’re going to look at several Scriptures that show God weeps – or that He has great disappointment – even suffering. We’ll also explore how this connects God to you in a special way.
There are always four categories we explore in Scripture Dissection:
- What Does It Say?
- What Does It Mean?
- Make It Personal
- Make A Commitment.
1. What Does It Say?
Here are verses about God weeping. Some of them don’t use the word “weep.” Nevertheless, they portray a deep sorrow of soul. To explore when God weeps, we’ll simply list selected verses in this section.
Lk 19:41
“And when He drew near and saw the city [Jerusalem], He wept over it.”
Jn. 11:35
“Jesus wept.”
Lk. 22:42-44
” ‘Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.’ An angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him. And being in anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.”
Mt. 26:37-38
“He began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then He said to them, ‘My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here, and watch with Me.’ “
Jer. 13:17
“But if you will not listen, My soul will weep in secret for your pride. My eyes will weep bitterly and run down with tears . . . “
That is what these verses say.
2. What Does It Mean?
Lk 19:41
“And when He drew near and saw the city [Jerusalem], He wept over it.”
In this verse, Jesus openly pours out His sorrow and disappointment at the lack of response people have to His love. He’s not embarrassed as He weeps. In fact, He does so in front of everyone present. Jesus felt great sadness.
Jn. 11:35
“Jesus wept.”
It’s so simple. Yet, it’s profound. Further, this two-word verse, the shortest in the Bible, catches your attention even as it draws your heart in. In this story, one of Jesus’ best friends died. He is sad about the loss. Plus, He must have been full of grief at what death had done to His children. People were never meant to die! They were created for eternity. No wonder Jesus wept!
Lk. 22:42-44
” ‘Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.’ An angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him. And being in anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.”
You can’t read this portion of Scripture and not connect with the deep anguish Jesus experienced as He cried out to God in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus knew what was coming. Torture and the cross. And He was pleading with God – if there’s another way, couldn’t we do that? Yet, even in His inconsolable condition, He solidly landed on submission. “Not My will, Yours be done.”
Mt. 26:37-38
“He began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then He said to them, ‘My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here, and watch with Me.’ “
Yet another example of how much inner pain Jesus experienced as He headed for the cross. He also knew about the coming torture and disrespect from people He created with His own hands. Further, the knowledge of taking every single sin – EVER – into Himself must have been overwhelming. Remember – Jesus knew no sin. He was absolutely pure. Holy. And the final kicker – Jesus knew His Father would turn His back on Him as He died in your (and my) place.
Jer. 13:17
“But if you will not listen, My soul will weep in secret for your pride. My eyes will weep bitterly and run down with tears . . . “
There is no doubt of God’s incredible love for His people. He wants the best for your life. So much so, that He literally weeps in secret when you are proud or arrogant. His heart weeps bitterly and His eyes run down with tears over your plight.
3. Make It Personal
Lk 19:41
“And when He drew near and saw the city [Jerusalem], He wept over it.”
When you love someone, you want the very best for them. That involves their life purpose. God sees you through His lens. He has purpose for your life. Consequently, when you are not living in His design, He is grieved – to the point of tears.
Jesus also grieves over any “distance” between you and Him. He wants you close. Further, Jesus wants to share the secrets that help you succeed. “I will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” (Jer. 33:3b)
And this expression links Him to times when you may pull away. It also links to lonely times in your life.
Jn. 11:35
“Jesus wept.”
Have you considered – Jesus weeps over the losses and disappointments in your life? When things don’t go as they were intended, I’ve often remembered – “it wasn’t supposed to be like this.” Remarkably, God thinks endearingly of your life. He’s with you in your losses. And He knows how to help you succeed.
Even more so, Jesus knows how to comfort you. Why? Because He’s experienced an immense amount of human sorrow. He’s even called “Man of Sorrows.” So you can share yourself with Him intimately and be safe. He understands.
This reality links Jesus to you as you face significant losses in your life.
Lk. 22:42-44
” ‘Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.’ An angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him. And being in anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.”
Have you ever been in life circumstances when you’ve prayed a similar prayer? You are in anguish over some life situation. And as you look ahead, all you see is – “it looks impossible.” Nevertheless, you trust God, surrender, and walk forward in obedience. You drink the cup like Jesus did – with faith in what God will do.
This agonizing prayer links Jesus to your life when things get really hard. Yet, He models absolute surrender to God. He absolutely trusts and obeys God in His sorrow.
This experience links Jesus to you as you face significant losses in your life.
Mt. 26:37-38
“He began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then He said to them, ‘My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here, and watch with Me.’ “
Have you ever faced a life season that made you deeply sad? In fact, you could barely conjure up courage needed to go forward? Perhaps you’ve felt very alone – when no one walked with you – but you actually needed them.
Jesus understands this. It was His experience – both when His friends fell asleep as He desperately needed their company AND when His Father turned His back on Him as He died on the cross. Still, Jesus bore up under both kinds of “alone-ness” so you would never have to be alone. Jesus built a bridge back to God for you. Are you going to cross it?
This bridge links Jesus to you in a redemptive, compassionate way.
Jer. 13:17
“But if you will not listen, My soul will weep in secret for your pride. My eyes will weep bitterly and run down with tears . . . “
God wants you to succeed. Equally, He knows this only happens as you yield to His ways. Why not trust Him, and live the life He beautifully created in you? Accomplish your life purpose. Let God redeem even your sufferings.
One way you can move into this idea is to “cling to God like a tight-fitting shirt!” Jer. 13:11 says something a bit odd about a “loincloth clings to the waist of a man . . .” Today, we’d say something more like –
Cling to me like:
- A girdle (anyone remember what that is?).
- A swim suit.
- Warm gloves.
- Knee brace.
- Scuba suit.
- Good fitting skates.
Simply put? God wants you to cling to Him for all your worth.
This opportunity links God’s weeping and tears to you walking rightly with Him.
4. Make A Commitment – Application Thoughts And Questions
- Which of these verses about God weeping stands out to you most? Why?
- Have you ever wept over someone going the wrong direction? If so, you can identify with how God feels.
- What situation will you walk forward into with God, even though you may dread what’s ahead?
- When you weep, God weeps with you. Will you receive His comfort?
I invite you to follow us on your favorite social media. Do sign up on our email list to receive weekly articles. PLUS tune-in to our weekly podcast using your preferred podcast app or use our online player at the top of each article.
Visit our website for resources to get into God’s Word and live an Alive and Active Life.
