The Way God Handled Griefಮಾದರಿ

COMPASSION

Scripture gives many accounts of mourning and death in the Old and New Testaments. As we look at how God handled death, I pray hope arises in your spirit.

The scriptures tell us that Jesus wept when he saw Lazarus's grieving sisters. His emotion over their brother's death revealed his love and concern for Mary and Martha. They didn't realize the power Jesus was about to enact in raising Lazarus.

When Jesus heard that his cousin John the Baptist had been beheaded, his heart was moved with compassion, and scripture tells us that Jesus went away by himself to grieve. Matthew 14:13-14

When Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane, he was in deep grief, and anguish: "Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done" "And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground." Luke 22:42, 44. I love the verse in between, as verse 43 says, "An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him."

God shows us how to handle grief through Jesus' example.

• In the Sermon on the Mount, in the Beatitudes, Jesus said, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." Matthew 5:4.

• The Psalmist wrote, "You have turned my mourning into dancing for me; You have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy." Psalm 30:11

• To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified." Isaiah 61:3

Takeaway: Jesus' heart showed compassion as He, too, grieved. His entire life was giving of compassion, giving to the extent that He went to the cross and bore our sins so that those who are in Him have the hope of eternity. Jesus' entire plan was to take our problems upon Himself because He cares for us. "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] Matthew 11:28