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Vacation Bible School
June 2nd-6th, 2008
A jar for tears |
When our children were
small and began to cry excessively, I’d say, “Keep
crying, but wait until I get a jar. I want to catch
your tears and save them.” Then I would pretend to
search for the suggested vessel.
The ruse worked every time. The children would quiet
down and begin laughing at my ridiculous antics.
A jar for tears? In biblical times there were such
things. Biblical scholar James Fleming makes several
suggestions about the possible use of tear jars by
biblical characters.
Remember the woman who cried at Jesus’ feet? The
sorrow she felt about her wayward lifestyle may have
caused her to bring a jar of her tears, and then add
to them as she cried near Jesus. She would have
plenty of tears to wipe up with her hair afterward.
When the author of Psalm 23 wrote about his cup
running over, Fleming suggests he may have meant his
tear cup was filled with tears of joy due to God’s
goodness.
Tear cups are still available in Old Jerusalem
antiquities stores. And at the Vatican Museum in
Rome, a large glass cabinet is filled with ancient
tear cups.
—Charles Ferrell |
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A prayer for humility |
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Lord, I know that Jesus was humble and stooped
to serve those in need, even washing his disciples’ feet.
Please keep me from being so prideful and self-centered that
I fail to be a humble servant of Christ. Pierce my spirit
until I am deflated of all sinful pride and the desire for
others to serve me instead of exercising loving service in
Christ’s name. Amen.
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