“Jesus wept.” – John 11:35
It’s the shortest verse in the Bible but it says so many important things about our Savior. John is telling us about the death of Lazarus and how Jesus responded to the loss of someone He held very dear. Two words, that’s all we get. But aren’t they powerful words? John could’ve used so many different ways to describe this moment, yet he didn’t. Why?
Weeping shows us that Jesus was in pain over the loss of Lazarus. His death wasn’t something Jesus took lightly even though He knew He would resurrect Lazarus. He felt for Martha and Mary, He missed His friend, He was in mourning.
But Lazarus isn’t the only person Jesus feels this strongly about. He feels this way about all of us. It hurts Jesus when He sees us in pain, when He sees us suffering, when He sees us die.
The past few days have been quite the roller coaster for me. I was so spoiled on my birthday and I truly felt the love of my new family and friends. I can’t thank everyone enough for the warmth I felt and the blessings I received. That same evening, however, I received hard news about a close friend who had a medical emergency after contracting encephalitis from a mosquito bite back home. My team really rallied around the situation and we fought for healing and peace. The next evening I received more hard news from the same church. A different friend decided to end their life Friday night. I felt the air ripped from my lungs as I searched for the right words to say to the students that became my family this summer.
I couldn’t stop thinking Jesus, where are you?
Jesus was weeping. He was hurting with us. He was mourning with us. But John doesn’t end the story with Jesus in sorrow. John tells us how Jesus resurrects Lazarus from the dead. He tells us how Jesus mends the hearts of those broken by the loss of their friend. This story shows us Jesus restoring the hope in people lost in pain and sorrow.
Hear me say this now, God is not finished here yet. One more time for those who need it: God is NOT finished here yet. There is restoration coming. There is hope. There is healing.
Do I think that my friend will be resurrected? No, I don’t think that will happen. But I know that right now, he’s wrapped in Jesus’s loving embrace. I know he’s walking in the light for the first time in a long time. I know that he’s no longer lonely or sad or hurting. He’s in the presence of the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the greatest Healer there ever was.
In the coming days I ask that every person that reads this stops to pray for my Mandarin UMC family. Pray for healing for my friend who is still in the hospital and pray for comfort, healing, and peace for a family that lost their son too soon.
I love you all so much and God loves you more than any of us could even fathom. Don’t ever forget that.
Katie
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts please don’t suffer in silence. Call 1-800-273-8255 to get resources, help, and support.
