"In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death...Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered." (Hebrews 5:7,8)
"...a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief..." (Isaiah 53:3)
What a comfort to know that Jesus was acquainted with suffering. Tears were normal for Him. Christians are called to follow after Him in the same purpose, that of painful suffering (1 Peter 2:21) . And so, suffering, in its various forms, is normal for the Christian. It has been said that the Christian life is one of painful joy. We can also take comfort from the fact as well, that our pain has a purpose. It is not meaningless, haphazard affliction:
"In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, many be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1: 6,7)
"And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Romans 5:3-5)
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