Jump Start # 828

Romans 12:15 “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.”

The section of Romans, where our verse is found today, is a setting of several short admonitions that the apostle wanted the brethren to do. Today, we’d call these “bullet points.” He doesn’t explain “why” they should do them, nor, the historical background behind them, not even the consequences if they fail to do them. He just lists them and expects them to do them. Some of the bullet points are internal and attitude things. Others reflect how one should treat others.

Our verse today comes from that list. Rejoicing and weeping reflect the two extremes of human emotions. Happy and sad. Of the two, we like rejoicing more than weeping. I’ve heard it sad that “crying does the body good.” Maybe. When I see someone crying, I want to know why they are crying and then I want to fix things so they can stop crying. A positive thought, a look at the big picture, a reminder of good  times, counting blessings—those are usually the things I turn to stop the tears. Our passage doesn’t say that, does it? It allows the weeping to continue. It invites others to weep with the one weeping. Some things can’t be fixed. Some things are not turned around because of a happy thought. It’s ok to weep.

There are some things to notice about this simple verse:

First, the emotions of others may not be my emotions. I may not have anything particular that leads me to rejoicing at the moment or weeping at the moment. Others may be experiencing things that I am not. The apostle wants us to connect with them. Join them and be a part of what they are going through. That’s not so easy, nor is it done very often. It’s easier to be jealous. Instead of joining in the rejoicing, some stay out and pout. The prodigal’s older brother did just that. He heard music and dancing in the house. He didn’t go in. He was angry and didn’t experience what those in the house were experiencing. Some can’t stand that others get good news and they didn’t. They want it all themselves. When they weep, they become bitter that others can go on rejoicing when they are crying.

Sometimes we just think too much of ourselves. This section of Romans addresses that and these verses are ways to move away from that. It’s ok that others find reasons to rejoice. I need to be glad for them and rejoice with them. Rejoicing brings smiles, happiness and occasions to thank God. Good things have happened. Weeping causes us to cling to the side of God. Broken hearts and crushed dreams and disappointments, whether a person is eight years old or eighty years old, are hard. We like to forget the weeping and remember the good times. The weeping moments tend to do more good for us than the rejoicing times.

Second, Jesus demonstrated this passage for us. When the seventy returned from the limited commission, they were very excited. They were amazed that even the demons were subject to them. They were pumped and thrilled. Jesus was happy for them. Then we go to the tomb of his friend Lazarus. We find Mary and Martha crying. Others were crying. He died four days earlier, yet the tears had not stopped. Jesus saw the broken hearts. He saw the weeping. Jesus wept. Those two words are the shortest verse in the English Bible. They express what the Romans were told to do, “weep with those who weep.”

Third, rejoicing and weeping with others shows that we feel for them. Insensitive hearts are not far from being cold hearts. The “with those” in our passage identifies the key connection here. Some are so aloof from others that they don’t know when they are rejoicing or weeping. Not only was there an awareness, but there was a sharing of the same emotion. Why weep with those weeping? Because one cares. No other reason is needed. The most insensitive thing to do is to rejoice and laugh in front of those who are weeping. That really hurts. Sometimes at the funeral home, a funny story about the deceased is relived, and a moment of smiles and joy returns. That’s good. But to ignore weeping because I don’t like to be sad, shows a disconnect with others.

There is a bond among brethren. The church is more than just a gathering of people interested in Jesus. I remember sitting in huge lecture halls in college. We all gathered for the common purpose of having to take that same class. We were fellow students. But there was no bond, fellowship, or connection. We gathered before class started and scattered when class was over. There was no mutual connection. We didn’t even know each other. That’s not the way a church family operates. There is a connection. There is a mutual togetherness. There is a sameness of emotion, intent and good.

Can you weep with others when they are weeping? It’s a good thing to do that. Can you rejoice with others when it is their turn to rejoice?  The kindness of others who love you can help you through the day and through this life. We need each other and this passage identifies one reason why.

Roger