Jesus Wept
OPENING PRAYER:
Gracious God, as we explore the humanity of Jesus and His capacity to grieve, open our hearts to the comfort and understanding that comes from knowing You share in our sorrows. Amen.
When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked.
“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.
Jesus wept.
Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”
This passage recounts the moment when Jesus arrives at the tomb of Lazarus. Despite knowing He will raise Lazarus from the dead, Jesus is deeply moved by the mourning of Mary and the others, and He weeps.
John 11:32-36
REFLECT:
The shortest verse in the Bible, "Jesus wept," carries profound significance. It reveals the depth of Jesus' humanity and His empathy for our pain. Pastor Elliott’s message from this past weekend emphasizes that Jesus, the embodiment of hope, experienced grief just as we do. This is a powerful reminder that our Savior is not distant or detached from our struggles. He understands our pain because He has felt it Himself.
In the context of Lazarus's death, Jesus' tears show that grief is not a sign of weakness or lack of faith. Instead, it is a natural response to loss and a reflection of love. Jesus' weeping also demonstrates that it is possible to grieve while holding onto hope. He knew He would raise Lazarus, yet He still mourned. This duality is a model for us as we navigate our own grief.
For us, this means that we can bring our sorrows to Jesus, knowing He understands and shares in them. We are invited to be honest about our pain and to seek comfort in His presence. Our grief does not negate our faith; rather, it can deepen our reliance on God and our understanding of His love.
I WILL STATEMENT:
I will give hope to someone who is grieving.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, thank You for weeping with us and for us. Help me to embrace my grief and to find comfort in Your presence. May I be a source of hope and compassion to those who are mourning. Amen.