Jesus Feels The Same
Devotional Reading: John 11:33, 35 ESV
When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled…Jesus wept.
A prolonged waiting season will test our faith in unimaginable ways. Do we believe that God is good? Where is God when one of the deepest desires of our heart appears lifeless? How can we trust a God who allows heartbreaking delays?
In John 11, Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus that their brother Lazarus was sick, they said, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” By the time Jesus arrives (after deliberately prolonging the journey), Lazarus was dead, gone, stinky, and in the tomb for four days.
When Mary later sees Jesus, she speaks the same words as Martha, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
If I had a quarter for all my “If onlys.”
If only God intervened.
If only God opened that one door.
If only God moved a little faster.
If only God answered the prayer sooner.
If only.
Jesus sees the sisters’ tears, and He feels their pain. He is greatly troubled and deeply moved in His spirit. But Jesus didn’t rush to the solution; He didn’t skip over or dismiss the emotion. Jesus validates the pain and the disappointment, and (spoiler alert) even though He knows He will raise Lazarus from the dead, what does He do? He weeps.
Why didn’t Jesus get there sooner? Why did Jesus cause the delay? And if Jesus knows He’s going to raise Lazarus from the dead, why allow the pain and sadness beforehand? There are many explanations to this, however, if you’d ask me I’ll say I don’t know. I’d rather choose to see the sides of Jesus in this story that show us His character.
We see Him drawing near to the broken-hearted, weeping with them in their pain. We see Jesus praying to the Father. We see Jesus as a miracle worker, bringing death to life, and turning around an impossible situation. I don’t know the purpose of the postponement, but I am thankful that John took the time to record the story, especially those two little words.
When our heart feels broken, and our hope is deferred, remember, God is near. He isn’t far off, in the clouds, elusive, or playing hide-and-seek. He’s right there. He is so very close. And when we feel like our heart is dead, even death isn’t final in God’s kingdom. As we remember Jesus’ divinity, we can’t forget His humanity. Jesus wept. He’s not here to harm; He’s here to help. Glory!
Prayer and Confession
Father, thank you for your presence. Thank you that you are near to the broken-hearted. Thank you that you have a plan in my season of waiting. Help me experience the fullness of joy that comes in your presence and the peace that surpasses understanding. Amen.
Further Reading: John 11:1-44, Psalm 34:18-20
