182. John 20:11–13 – Our Tears Matter to God

Our Tears Matter to God

— John 20:11–13

Biblical Text

11 But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb.
12 And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
13 Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”

Mary Weeps at the Tomb

Mary comes to the tomb after Jesus’ crucifixion and sees that His body is gone. To her, it feels like a complete disaster. John emphasizes her tears twice:
— “stood… weeping,”
— “as she wept.”

God notices her pain.

“Why Are You Weeping?”

The angels ask:
“Why are you weeping?”

This is not mockery or indifference. God shows that He sees human tears. Sometimes people feel:
— nobody cares,
— nobody understands,
— their pain is too small.

But the Bible repeatedly shows:
our tears matter to God.

More Than 500 References to Tears

The Bible contains more than 500 references to tears, weeping, and crying. Yet Scripture almost never rebukes a person simply for sincerely crying.

Instead, God:
— hears weeping,
— comforts the brokenhearted,
— draws near to those in pain.

Tears Throughout the Bible

🔹 Hagar weeps in the wilderness — and God hears her (Genesis 21:16–19)

🔹 Hannah weeps in the temple — and God answers her (1 Samuel 1:10–18)

🔹 David writes:
“You have put my tears in Your bottle” (Psalm 56:8)

🔹 “Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy” (Psalm 126:5)

Jesus Also Wept

🔹 Jesus wept at Lazarus’ tomb (John 11:35)

🔹 Jesus wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41)

🔹 In Gethsemane, Christ prayed “with vehement cries and tears” (Hebrews 5:7)

Tears themselves are not sin or weakness.

God Is Closer Than We Think

The most amazing part is this:
Mary is crying right beside the resurrection.

Jesus is already alive, but Mary does not yet realize it. The same thing happens in our lives: God may already be working, already near, while we still see everything through tears.

Sometimes we cry beside a miracle we have not noticed yet.

The Physical Importance of Tears

Tears are important not only emotionally, but physically. They:
— moisturize and protect the eyes,
— help clean away bacteria and dust,
— play a role in the body’s stress response.

After sincere crying, people often feel relief and reduced inner tension.

Why Does Society Often Shame Tears?

In many cultures, especially toward boys and men, tears are seen as weakness. People hear phrases like:
— “don’t cry,”
— “be strong,”
— “real men don’t cry.”

Sometimes tears are viewed as selfishness or manipulation, so many people learn to hide pain and suppress emotions.

But the Bible shows something different:
David, Peter, Jeremiah, Paul — and even Jesus — all wept.

“My Lord”

Mary says:
“They have taken away my Lord.”

Even in pain, she still loves Christ. Her tears reveal not weak faith, but deep love.

Practical Lessons

🔹 God sees every human tear.

🔹 Christ cares deeply about our pain.

🔹 Tears do not always mean weak faith.

🔹 God may already be working even when we cannot yet see it.

🔹 True strength is not a cold heart, but a heart that refuses to become hardened.

Conclusion

Mary came to the tomb in tears, believing everything was lost. But right there she was about to meet the risen Christ.

Our tears matter to God.