a Handkerchief

Woman has had many reasons for weeping since the fall.

Jesus went to his death amid weeping women, and on his rising he met a little company of them.

The first words of a risen Savior are to a weeping woman.

He who was born of woman has come to dry up woman’s tears.

Observe the wise method followed by the divine Consoler.

Magdalene is to state the reason of her weeping. “Why weep you?” Often sorrow vanishes when it is defined. It is wise to chase away mystery and understand the real cause of grief.

He helps her also by coming nearer to her grief in the second question: “Whom Seek you?” She was seeking him.

He was himself the answer to his own inquiries.

In all cases Jesus is the most suitable Comforter and comfort.

Let us put this question, “Why weep you?” in two ways.

I. IS IT NATURAL SORROW?

1. Are you bereaved? The risen Savior comforts you; for—

   • He assures you of the resurrection of the departed.
   • He is with you, your living Helper.
   • He sympathizes with you, for he once lost his friend Lazarus; yes, he himself has died.

2. Are your beloved ones sick? Sorrow not impatiently; for—

   • He lives to hear prayer for healing.
   • He waits to bless them if they are dying.

3. Are you yourself sick? Be not impatient; for—

   • Jesus lives to moderate your pains.
   • Jesus lives to sustain your heart under suffering.
   • Jesus lives to give life to your body, as he has done to your soul.

4. Are you poor? Do not murmur, for—

   • He lives, and is rich.
   • He would have you find your all in himself.
   • He will never leave you nor forsake you.

5. Are you of a sorrowful spirit? Do not despond, but—

   • See where his sorrows have brought him.
   • See how he came to the sorrowful, and how he comes still.
   • See what he does in his consoling ministry, and imitate him by cheering others. Thus you shall yourself be comforted.

II. IS IT SPIRITUAL SORROW?

1. Distinguish. See whether it be good or ill. “Why weep you?”

   • Is it selfish sorrow? Be ashamed of it.
   • Is it rebellious? Repent of it.
   • Is it ignorant? Learn of Jesus, and so escape it.
   • Is it hopeless? Believe in God and hope ever.
   • Is it gracious? Then thank him for it.

2. Declare. Tell Jesus all about it. “Why weep you?”

   • Is it sorrow for others? He weeps with you.
   • Are loved ones abiding in sin?
   • Is the church cold and dead?
   • Is it the sorrow of a seeking saint? He meets you.
   • Do you miss his presence?
   • Have you grieved his Holy Spirit?
   • Can you not attain to holiness?
   • Can you not serve him as much as you desire?
   • Do your prayers appear to fail?
   • Does your old nature rebel?
   • Is it the sorrow of one in doubt? He will strengthen you.
   • Come to Jesus as a sinner.
   • Is it the sorrow of a seeking sinner? He will receive you.
   • Do you weep because of past sin?
   • Do you fear because of your evil nature?
   • Are you unable to understand the gospel?
   • Do you weep lest you grow hardened again?
   • Do you mourn because you can not mourn?
   • He is before you: believe in him, and weeping will end.
   • He accepts you: in him you have all you are seeking for.

Consolatory Thoughts

A Hindu woman said to a missionary, “Surely your Bible was written by a woman.” “Why?” “Because it says so many kind things for women. Our pundits never refer to us but in reproach.”

“Woman, why weep you?” God and his angels take notice of every tear of our devotion. The sudden wonder has not dried her eyes, nor charmed her tongue: she freely confesses the cause of her grief to be the missing of her Savior: “They have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.” Alas! good Mary, how do you lose your tears? Of whom do you complain but of your best Friend? Who has removed your Lord but himself? Who but his own Deity has taken away his human body out of the region of death? Neither is he now laid any more; he stands by you, whose removal you complain of. Thus many a tender and humble soul afflicts itself with the want of that Savior whom it has, and feels not.—Bishop Hall.

She turns away from the angels, like a Rachel who will not be comforted. But there is comfort in store for her, sorrow as she may. We have an example given us here of how only the Lord himself can suffice to comfort spirits like that of Mary Magdalene. The Lord sees the heart, and none shall weep for him in vain; but even the angels, gracious though their sympathy be, must leave the task of comforting the deepest sorrow to the Lord.—Rudolf Stier.

The first words that ever Christ spoke after his resurrection to them he appeared to, were, “Woman, why weep you?” It is a good question after Christ’s resurrection. What cause of weeping remains now that Christ is risen? Our sins are forgiven, because he, our Head and Surety, has suffered death for us; and if Christ be risen again, why weep we? If we be broken-hearted, humbled sinners, that have interest in his death and resurrection, we have no cause to grieve.—Richard Sibbes.

“Good men weep easily,” says the Greek poet; and the better any are, the more inclined to weeping, especially under affliction. As you may see in David, whose tears, instead of gems, were the ornaments of his bed; in Jonathan, Job, Ezra, Daniel, etc. “How,” says one, “shall God wipe away my tears in Heaven if I shed none on earth? And how shall I reap in joy if I sow not in tears? I was born with tears, and I shall die with tears; and why then should I live without them in this valley of tears?”—Thomas Brooks.

Be not troubled, my soul. God has for you something better than your imaginings. It is with you as with the women of Galilee. They sought only a dead form, and they found a living Lord. You also have been too eager for the earthly form of your hope’s fulfillment. Has he promised that all things shall work together for your good, and yet denied you the comforts of the world? What then? Is his promise void? May it not be that you have found your promise in the very region where it seems to have failed you, in the privations and sorrows of life? What matter though you have lost the form, if you have found the sepulcher vacant? The loss is a gain, and the vacancy is fullness of joy. There are losses which mean nothing less than resurrection. I rise more by the discovery of my wants than by the discovery of my possessions … O fragrance of the broken ointment box! O light of resurrection! reached from human emptiness, I am enriched by the gain of you.

Dr. George Matheson.