Read: Acts 20:17-38
There was much weeping among them all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, grieving especially because of what he had said, that they would not see him again. (vv. 37-38 NRSV)
Tears can be telling, and the Bible tells us about those tears. Esau wept when he lost his birthright. Hannah wept at the thought of her barrenness. Joseph wept with his brothers who had betrayed him. David wept when he received word of Absalom’s death. Jeremiah wept over the mountains of Judah. Amos wept over Israel’s disobedience. Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus. And here in our passage today, the brothers and sisters in Christ in Ephesus wept with Paul as they part ways with one another.
Weeping is a window into our deepest feelings. A few years ago I preached at the memorial service of the Emeritus President of Words of Hope, Dr. William C. Brownson. Bill discipled me in the Christian faith when I was converted in 1970. He was my professor of preaching at Western Theological Seminary, and he preached at my installation as the pastor of Fellowship Reformed Church. He had encouraged me, prayed with me, counseled me. When I stood in the pulpit that day, looking into the pained eyes of his two surviving sons and their families, I began to weep. Bill’s death was a deep loss.
Here in our passage, the weeping of these brothers and sisters in Christ gives us permission to do the same. If you’re feeling loss, grief, pain, or relief, let yourself weep.
As you pray, if you need to, weep—and pray for yourself and all those who weep.
Dr. Timothy Brown is the Henry Bast Professor of Preaching and President Emeritus at Western Theological Seminary where he served from 1995-2021. Tim continues to actively coach and encourage former students and pastors who seek help in their preaching life and he has become a certified public school substitute teacher so that he can continue investing in the lives of young people. He is married to Nancy and together they have three children and ten grandchildren.
