“Jesus wept.” -John 11:35
In John 11, Mary and Martha’s brother, Lazarus was very sick. His sisters had sent word to Jesus about their brother. When Jesus arrived, Lazarus had been lying in a tomb for four days. Grieved, Jesus was deeply moved as Mary cried out to him. Jesus wept. In this moment in time, we see that Jesus experienced a shared sorrow with Lazarus’ sisters. He wept. In this season, you may find yourself brokenhearted or in misery—even in desperation. When Jesus came to see Lazarus, Martha cried out to Jesus and said, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” In a moment of pure despair, Jesus was grieved. He felt their pain. He felt their mourning. Those words rang through His spirit as Martha and Mary were crying out. As He wept, this gives us indication and evidence that Jesus shares our moments of sorrow. He is not upset that you are feeling emotional about a deep matter. He cares about what is hurting you. He cares about what is affecting you. Just like Mary and Martha, it is ok to have those moments of pure outcry to Him. He’s with you and recognizes your pain.
Mary was so distraught. She made the hard statements in that moment. Her heart was completely shattered—so much that it moved Jesus to tears. He was greatly affected by her essence in that moment. This was the same Mary that poured perfume on the Lord and washed His feet with her hair. Unquestionably and undoubtedly Jesus shared her sorrow. Her vulnerability overshadowed anything that was happening in that moment. He took an immediate response to her outcry—it was not in vain. Every tear and mumble was heard in His presence. Every breath of weeping and sobbing was made clear to Him. The Lord knows you. Your brokenness matters to Jesus. Your tears matter to the Father. Take it to Him as He will give you rest. It is ok. Jesus wept. You can weep in Him. Your weeping serves a purpose.
The moment Jesus heard Lazarus was sick He said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” Even in your sorrow, this is not the end. God gets the glory from your situation. You may not see or feel it right now, but your pain has a plan. Your hurt has hope. In this moment of grief, Jesus produced a beautiful miracle. Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” As the stone was rolled away, Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me.” The same way that Jesus heard the Father—God hears your cry. Jesus called out for Lazarus to come out. Jesus then said, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” In Mary and Martha’s weeping, Jesus met their suffering. Jesus still used that moment as a testament to God’s power. Your weeping is working for you as God is giving you His strength. God shares your sorrow and has the best intentions for your healing and future. Jesus weeps with you. He is sitting with you in your moments of mourning; in due time, a miracle is waiting on the other side of your grieving heart. Mary was still worthy while she was in deep reverence and worship toward Jesus and also in her deep state of grief. God is not silent to your sorrow. He is not indifferent to your pain. He knows exactly what it looks like and has a beautiful plan for it all. His comfort will find you. You are never alone in your sorrow—Jesus wept too.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” –Psalm 34:18
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