“Jesus wept.” John 11:35
Last week, I had to care for someone that was victim to some of the most atrocious human behavior. As I looked at the mental and physical scars, everything just felt so heavy and hard. I was sharing with a friend how I was just feeling weary at the state of things, and she reminded me that Jesus wept when Lazarus died.
I’ve thought about that day a lot. Mary runs to him knowing His power and His kindness. She had sat at His feet. He was her friend. She boldly tells Him that if He would have been there than Lazarus wouldn’t have died. The scripture goes on to say that Jesus was deeply moved and troubled by her weeping. Here’s the thing. He knew He would raise Lazarus. He knew death wasn’t final. Jesus was moved to tears because of the pain of His people.
It’s easy to feel guilty for being sad as a believer, like maybe hope and faith are commodities and your supply dried up. Perhaps there is a tendency to think that faith means avoiding that tension where you actually feel like it’s all broken and wonder if He is paying attention. This week I’m reminded that not only is God not angry with that tension, He is moved by it.
He will defeat evil for good. The kingdom is coming, now and forever. But if you feel weary while we wait, take heart, the Wonderful Counselor knows what it is to weep with those who weep and mourn with those who mourn. Even when He knows He will work all things together for good, He still holds space to wipe your tears.
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