I read again recently of John Merrick, the man known as the Elephant Man, born in England in 1862–a beautiful baby. At about age three his appearance started changing due to an unknown condition leaving him with severe deformities, and his life became a living nightmare. He ended up in a London Hospital after enduring unspeakable cruelties. A kind surgeon, Frederick Treves, eventually invited Merrick to be physically examined and Merrick ended up living at the hospital. The doctor became his friend and arranged for a friend of his named Mrs. Leila Maturin, “a young and pretty widow”, to visit Merrick. She agreed and with fair warning about his appearance, went to his rooms for an introduction. The meeting was short, as Merrick was overcome and sobbed. He later told Treves that Maturin had been the first woman ever to smile at him, and the first to shake his hand.
In Revelation 52-4, we see John overcome and weeping (sobbing),
And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside.
The scroll represented or contained God’s plan of redemption for humanity. The search was in vain. There was no one found worthy, meaning there was no one to redeem this world. No one who could right the wrongs we see down here. No one could prevent Satan from controlling this world or stop the ongoing sin and misery occurring on this planet. Scripture says at this point John just wept and wept. The Greek word means ‘To weep, wail, lament, implying not only the shedding of tears, but also every external expression of grief.’ The Bible says he did this ‘greatly’. He bawled his eyes out with loud groans as he realized how dire the situation really was.
John’s tears represent the tears of all God’s people through all the centuries. Those tears of the Apostle John are the tears of Adam and Eve, driven out of the Garden of Eden, as they bowed over the first grave, as they watered the dust of the ground with their tears over the silent, still form of their son, Abel. Those are the tears of the children of Israel in bondage as they cried unto God in their affliction and slavery. They are the tears of God’s elect through the centuries as they cried unto heaven.. W. A. Criswell
The Story continues in Rev 5:5-7:
Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
John temporarily lost hope but quickly was reminded that there was One who could reveal God’s big plan of redemption– JESUS! The Lion and the Lamb. He fulfilled the requirements:
Jesus qualified as a kinsman-redeemer for all mankind because He came as a man.
Jesus was able to pay the price of redemption for He lived a sinless life. (2 Cor 5:17)
Jesus who was willing to pay the price, laid down His own life for our eternal life.
We have access to the same hope, joy and worship John experienced when we accept Jesus and acknowledge Him as Lord. Will you let Him dry your tears and restore your hope with His love today? He is waiting.
Deb Hill
EFCC Member