Jesus wept – John 11:35
“But there’s a difference between making a patient’s tragedy about yourself and letting them see that it’s affecting you too. And on the worst moment of her life, maybe that’s exactly what Jessa needed: somebody to feel the pain with her.” Dr. Asher received this consoling message from Dr. Archer during a recent episode of Chicago Med. Instead of perceiving herself as unprofessional for becoming emotional after delivering the heart-wrenching news to a mother that her baby hadn’t survived, Dr. Archer wanted Dr. Asher to know her tears were shameless.
Expressing condolences to someone who’s experienced a sorrowful event is appropriate etiquette; however, crying with that person offers tremendous comfort. This demonstrates a deep understanding of the other person’s sadness, likely from having endured similar pain, and it recognizes the enormity of what’s occurred. In John 11:35, Jesus, upon learning of Lazarus’s death, wept. Jesus was moved emotionally by the mourners’ grief despite His intentions to raise Lazarus from the dead.
As Christians, we are no longer bound by worldly perceptions of outward displays of empathy—whether fear of unmanliness or personal doubts about whether tears are appropriate. Jesus broke every stereotype that labeled demonstrating emotion as weakness. Therefore, we can freely offer our presence, our support, and our shameless tears.