Weep with those who weep.

Last week was one of mourning for me. A very dear friend of mine miscarried her 5th baby at around 20 weeks. She went into the hospital to delivery her stillborn child. While I was weeping and mourning with her, God inspired our Pastor to preach a sermon this past Sunday that kept me blinking rapidly and very thankful I was up front but oh so thankful for the sermon.

Many of you have heard the Biblical story of Jesus raising Lazarus (John 11) from the dead. For most of my life, I heard the sermon explained that Jesus came to this weeping family who had just lost a loved one and was moved to frustration at their lack of faith. He is accused twice for the death of this beloved brother because Jesus hadn't come in time to save him (John 11:24, 32). Jesus then raises Lazarus from the dead to strengthen their faith, and everyone realizes what Jesus meant when he states "I am the resurrection and the life".

This past Sunday, my pastor (who has also heard the same interpretation) offered a different one. It made so much more sense to me and deserves interaction (and a shout out).

1. He loved Lazarus.

The Bible tells us that Jesus loved Lazarus, along with Mary and Martha. These were people with whom he spent time, delving into their lives and hearts. He knew they also loved him as well as believed he was the Christ. Throughout the Gospels, I see Jesus interacting with those he loves with much patience.

2.They may not be accusing

Both Mary and Martha come to Jesus and state that "if he had been here, our brother would not have died." If these women are saying this in an angry, accusing way, I find it odd that in the same conversation they also reaffirm their belief that Jesus is the Christ and that Lazarus will be raised in the last Resurrection (John 11:24) and fall to his feet in worship. Folks who are mourning are often angry, it's one of the phases in the grieving process. However, I believe that it is possible that these women may not have been lashing out at Jesus in anger in this moment. Could they not have been reaffirming their faith in who he was and what he could have done if he had come before Lazarus passed away?

We don't know exactly how these women made these statements, but within the context of the conversation with Jesus, it is entirely possible that the statements were made in faith and sorrow, not accusatory anger.

3. Jesus weeps.

If Jesus was weeping over their unbelief, then he would have raised Lazarus as a teaching tool to strengthen their faith. It may have proved a point, but not in a very personal way.

However, if Jesus is weeping because his spirit it torn apart at the death of a person he loves, his sorrow is genuine. He is mourning with those who mourn, being the example of Romans 12:15.

Another aspect of his weeping has to do with sin. Did you know that death was not part of the creation plan? God didn't create us to have to experience bodily decay, dying, and death. Death is a direct result of sin entering the world via Adam and Eve.

Jesus mourns over the effect of sin and death on this family he loves. He weeps over the effects of sin on his beloved children.

4. Jesus knows our pain

The point of Jesus' incarnation was to live as a human, experience humanity, and live as a perfect example for us. This means that he was tempted, hungry, cold, sleepy, sad, happy, mournful... you know, all the things we are. He did this to meet us where we are. To be the Savior that we run to when we are feeling tempted, hungry, cold, sleepy, sad, happy, mournful. He walks with us because he knows exactly what it is like to experience humanity.

He knows what it means to mourn. He knows what it's like to lose a loved one and feel the pain associated with that loss. He is the perfect comforter for his children in every situation in all seasons.

I believe these four points are worth considering. Read John 11 with this fresh perspective and see if you can find the hope, love, comfort, sorrow, and joy that may have been missed before now.

This post is dedicated to:

Molly

Born Feb 22, 2013, 8:02am

6 3/4", 82 grams 

May God hold you in his arms 
till your mother gets you in hers again.