"Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, "See how he loved him!"
"Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance."
John 11:35, 37, 38 (NIV)
As a Pastor who has officiated many funerals, I know that most of the time, words are not enough to comfort a broken heart. I have learned that it is better to hug or stand next to a person in moments of sorrow than to express well-intended words that do not make sense to a heart in pain.
I have noticed that sincere tears have brought more comfort to people than many eloquent sermons. Maybe that is why the Bible tells us to weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15). Maybe that is why Jesus wept outside Lazarus' tomb.
You know the story, Lazarus died. When Jesus saw Lazarus' sisters devastated by his death, He cried. People thought Jesus was weeping for Lazarus, but He was grieving for the broken hearts of the people who loved this good man. Jesus knew Lazarus would resurrect, but He felt their pain and cried with them.
Every loss hurts. If you have lost a loved one, a job, a business, health, or marriage, please know that you do not have to face what you are going through alone. Just as Jesus wept with Mary and Martha, He cries with you. He understands how you feel, and whether or not you feel His presence, you are in His arms.
God, in His wisdom, created us to go through pain, not to live in pain. Give Him every burden you carry, even anger, because He is more than able to take it. Eventually, sorrow visits us all, but it should be just a visitor. It should not be a permanent fixture in our lives. Remember that we serve the Resurrection and the Life.
Grief must have an end. Only when we end our suffering can we start honoring what or whom we lost. Start walking towards the end of your sorrow today. Give Jesus your pain. Let Him wipe your tears and give you peace.
PS,
If you are not in a season of sorrow, pray for, cry with, hug or stand next to someone in pain. Love like Jesus loves anyone in your life who is experiencing loss.
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