blog 17: jesus wept

Jesus wept. The shortest verse in the entire Bible yet one of the most powerful.

In John chapter 11 Jesus is going to see a really close friend who has passed away, Lazarus. By the time Jesus gets there , Lazarus has been dead for 4 whole days now. As Jesus gets into town He is met by Lazarus’s two sisters Martha and Mary, both grieving their brother. I’ve read this account in the Bible many times, but never really actually took time to understand it or stop and picture Jesus weeping.

I thought maybe He shed a tear or choked up but recently I was watching The Chosen and I really liked the way they brought this scene out. Jesus starts to cry and everyone is a little taken back especially His disciples. As I’m sitting on my couch I start to cry! Isn’t it crazy and amazing to know that Jesus feels what we feel? He doesn’t just dismiss it. He doesn’t just say “get over it” or “really? You’re crying over that again?” NO! His heart hurts with us. He feels everything with us!

I love knowing that the God I serve is concerned at the things that concern me. From the very big things in life to even the smallest things that can ruin my day the Lord cares about it all.

He is so personal with us.

There is a supernatural encounter that takes place when you’re truly broken . It’s not only biblical but I’ve experienced it myself.

Psalm 34:18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit

I’m sure all of us have been to a point where we are broken, and crushed in spirit. I’ve had those times when I just sit there and have no words. I just cry and cry. But can I tell you and encourage you, after that deep heartbroken cry a comfort that goes beyond understanding. IYKYK!

If you haven’t done that in awhile. I encourage you to bring it before Jesus. I understand that it’s hard for us. We’ve been told “suck it up” “don’t let them see you cry” or even “stop crying!”

Sometimes we can cover up all that we feel just by staying busy. We don’t want to feel everything or anything at all. We don’t want to get on our knees or talk to Him because we know that right when those knees hit the floor it’s over! The tears will come and we don’t want that. We don’t want to open up those old unhealed wounds again. We don’t want God to show us what we need to work on or how we need to forgive. So we stay hard. We stay stuck. We stick to…“Don’t let them see you cry”.

But…”Jesus wept”.

If Jesus can cry I think it’s safe to say we can too.

Another thing I always think about is , why did Jesus cry if He knew He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead? He knew it was a happy ending! Why be sad!?

But I realized even though Jesus knew…they didn’t know! And that broke His heart.

Ugh! That brings so much comfort to me. That my Jesus feels for me. Even though He knows these things in my life will turn around, or they are for my good. Even though He knows the outcome, it doesn’t change the fact that He still hurts with me. He still comes along side me and cares. There’s been times where I wondered what He was doing and I was sad, but Jesus never ever just dismisses how we feel. Ever. This is PROOF that He cares.

“When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.

Verse 35 Jesus wept.” John‬ ‭11‬:‭33‬, ‭35‬ ‭

Sometimes in our pain, suffering and even questioning we can feel alone, or that God doesn’t even care. Don’t allow the devil to lie to you. Don’t allow the devil to tell you God doesn’t care about your situation. NO that IS A LIE!

I’ve written this blog today to tell you. He cares. And more than that His heart hurts for what your heart hurts for too. Just as much as I want to comfort my babies when they get hurt or are sad , Jesus wants to do the same and even more so for you and me. Especially in those times of trouble, grief, confusion, and pain. He wants so much to comfort us. Today my prayer is that wherever you find yourself today that you would know that Jesus CARES. He feels with us. In the BIG trials in life and even in the small everyday things. Take courage today in knowing you are not alone. That you serve a God who is holding you every single step of the way and that He feels for you.

I hope this spoke to you friends, I love you!

ONE LOVE