John 11:35 – Jesus Wept.
Are you a “crier?” I am the epitome of the proverbial crybaby. I think some of us are prone to crying, while others cry as a last resort. It could be you are like my son, Bubba, who cried very little during his childhood. It seemed as though he was simply a happy little guy who remained focused on the positive. It turns out he was just saving all those tears for the day his sister got married. At the age of 15, in front of approximately 200 plus people, while dutifully fulfilling his role as best man for Brandon, it was as though he sprung a leak. Fifteen years of pent up emotions were released for, at the very least, a solid hour or so.
I, on the other hand, cry when I’m sad, when I’m happy, when I’m thankful, when I’m angry, when I’m confused, well I could go on and on, but you get the picture. You would think with all of the crying I’ve experienced, this verse in John 11:35, would have spoken to me at some point over the past 52 years. As stated earlier, most situations, good and bad, can start the waterworks for me, but I’ve come to realize watching my children or grandchildren cry is a major trigger. I physically and emotionally cannot stand it. It’s as if I’m feeling their pain and/or excitement first hand. I believe this comes from loving them so deeply and “knowing” them so intimately. Both my husband and I have literally left their house when one of our grandsons is crying due to “discipline”. Watching them receive correction is daunting, especially for a grandparent, and when one gets a booboo or his feelings hurt, UGH!
When I came across this verse in a message given by my Pastor, one Sunday, it suddenly had a whole new meaning for me. Jesus doesn’t want to be party to my hurt, whether it’s by my own doing, His chastisement or for any other reason. It made me consider the countless crying sessions I’ve had and made me realize, not only is He always there, but he understands and truly feels my pain as well. Sometimes, we just need someone to “relate” to our feelings. Well He understands, maybe more than we can even fathom considering what he suffered at the hands of those He loves so much. So the next time you feel alone, you feel He can’t hear you; you feel no one is listening or understands; you feel there’s no one out there that cares about your aching heart. Just remember, “Jesus wept”. He actually can and does empathize with you and your pain.
How awesome is it that we can go to our Heavenly Father and be open and honest with him, and regardless of our circumstances, He covers us with His unconditional love? Jesus died for us. He took on all our sin, and then He conquered death. He was a king who left His throne in a perfect Heaven and willingly came into a wretched world as a mere man to relate to us and give us eternal life. He endured hours of unspeakable and unfathomable emotional and physical pain for us! He is the Son of God, the all-powerful, omnipresent and all-knowing God, and yet still…….Jesus wept!
Can you think of a time when Jesus probably wept with/for you?
Did you thank Him for His presence? Did you thank Him for His unconditional love?
