Finding the Light in GriefSample

DAY 3

JESUS WEPT

Thank you for being here this week as we pursue understanding grief through Scripture. We are on day three of our week’s study. So far, we have learned the five stages of grief, including denial, anger, bargaining (making deals with ourselves or with God, wishing to change a situation to feel better), depression, and acceptance.

We have also learned that we can grieve non-living things just as much as we grieve life itself. As we seek God in our pain, Scripture reveals to us an intimate communication as we express to God what is on our hearts.

Today we are finally going to look at our verse for the week. This verse may be one of the most powerful verses in the Bible. It also is the shortest verse in our English translation. John 11:35 says:

35 Jesus wept.

Jesus also knows our emotions because He wept for his good friend Lazarus. He didn’t cry because he missed him necessarily. Jesus already knew he was dead. Jesus even knew that he would raise him to life again.

It is important to recognize what the rest of the Scripture says happened during this event. Just before Lazarus died, Jesus had a heads-up. Word was sent to Jesus, telling him Lazarus was sick. However, Jesus already knew this information, and just a few verses prior in verse 6, we see Jesus did not go running to Lazarus’ side. He stayed in place for TWO more days!

Why? Why would Jesus not go running to save Lazarus, and then why, in verse 35, would Jesus be weeping over His friend? After all, He knew the power He held and that Lazarus would live again.

Jesus stayed in place for two extra days because he had allowed time for lamenting. When Jesus got to town, Lazarus had already been dead for four days. Yet, he stood by Mary and Martha’s side, Lazarus’ sisters, and He wept. He grieved with them.

Scripture says Jesus was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled by the grief. Jesus, the Son of God, was so moved in spirit that He wept too.

Jesus allowed time for lamenting and emotions to be communicated with God. He also stood right next to Mary and Martha and grieved with them.

As we close today, I pray that you know you are not alone. God hears your cries. Jesus is standing right next to you, supporting you, and grieving with you. Later this week, we will see how the Holy Spirit moves in our grief.

But first, tomorrow, we will learn about our own lamenting process.

I’ll see you tomorrow.

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