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Jesus Wept

             Jesus wept. (John 11:35)

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. (Romans 12:15)

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (Matthew 5:44)

My Bible platform chose a passage I’ve written about more than once in the past ten years. If they continue in the passage tomorrow (as they probably will), I may return to them, but today’s verse came to mind as an alternative. It’s not a verse I think is really explored much, so, why not?

To put the verse in context, Jesus had received word that his friend, Lazarus, was sick. We don’t know how far Jesus was from Bethany, but instead of packing up and hurrying there, He had announced that this sickness wasn’t “unto death” and the ministry team had remained where they were.

Sometime later, Jesus had said that Lazarous had fallen asleep and He was going there to wake him. When His disciples misunderstood (as we likely would have), He stated plainly that Lazarus was dead.  Now, as an added bit of plot interest, the last time Jesus was in Judea, the Jews had tried to stone Him. Thomas mentioned this, and suggested that they should go with Him, to die with Him.

By the time they got to their friends’ home, Lazarus had been dead for four days. I’ve read that the Jews of the time believed that the soul remained with the body for three days. I don’t know that’s true. If it is, it meant that everyone there (except Jesus) believed that Lazarus wasn’t just dead, he was well and truly dead. He met with both Martha and Mary and reassured them.

Then, they went to the tomb, and after all that, Jesus wept. People give different reasons for Jesus’ tears. He was showing compassion for the grief of those around Him, being sympathetic or empathetic. He wept over the calamity of sin. He was Human. He wept because the price of Lazarous’ life would be His own, and, in fact, raising Lazarous would be the thing that led the Jewish leaders to actively seek His death. I’ve also heard the suggestion that He wept because of the lack of faith shown by Mary and Martha (primarily), and everyone else there.

Later, Jesus wept over Jerusalem and the lack of faith, but I don’t think it wise to try to claim that He wept for only this reason or that. I’m not sure we need to place Jesus on the examination table. Yes, as His disciples, we’re to learn from Him and follow His example, but is the purpose of this examination to learn how to weep like Him – or is it so we can judge whether He, we, or they are weeping appropriately?

Some people I know are struggling, and probably weeping. I don’t happen to agree with their definition of the problem that is producing the weeping. I don’t define myself as someone who is comfortable with emotions. But just as we don’t need to know why Jesus wept to determine whether someone’s weeping is for a good enough reason, we don’t need to approve of someone else’s thinking or their feelings before we rejoice or mourn with them. We can take their pain before God without lecturing God or them about our perspective. If we are to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, how much more should we do so with those who simply disagree with us?

Lord, ______’s heart is breaking. Be with him/her. Comfort him/her with the knowledge that You see his/her heart, and show him/her Your heart. Give him/her wisdom in his/her pain. Strengthen him/her in the truth. Grant him/her hope and healing.

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