Jesus wept.

Jesus Wept.

Two words that change everything.

When I came across this verse today and read it, I realized how impactful those two words really are. Only two words. It may be the shortest verse ever, but I believe it is the most revealing verse about Jesus and it shows and teaches us so much.

I’ve been reading the book of John in my quiet time lately and I am writing down all the things I learn about Jesus and things that are impactful that Jesus did. It feels good to see it all on multiple pages the good that Jesus did and who he truly is. It strengthens my faith and my relationship with Him to learn about him more.

As I was reading about the death of Lazurus, I really stopped and thought about it. I heard it recently from a speaker/woman of faith that I look up to, Jennie Allen, about how this one, two word verse really is so impactful. As I read it myself, I felt how moving and amazing that how Jesus wept was. He knew his friend Lazarus would be ok and he had the power to raise him from the dead, yet he wept. It really is so intriguing and I feel it changes everything for us. I felt like I wanted to share my reflection time on it.

Jesus had emotions just like us. In John 11:33, He was moved and even troubled when he saw Mary weeping. Then he wept himself when he saw how upset the others were and saw Lazarus dead. When I was reflecting on this, I realized it was these attributes of Jesus that make him so incredibly relatable. If Jesus did not show emotions, or mourn with others, or comfort others with his empathy and compassion, I don’t think I would have the same connection with Jesus. The way he expresses himself and truly has empathy for us, changes everything. He is not a God where nothing touches him. We have emotions and He does too. There is so much depth in emotions, whether anguish or joy. We were created in His image, so He has the same emotions we experience daily.

I believe it was probably hard to see his friend Lazarus dead and in that state and hard to see his friends be so mournful and sad. He really feels  people’s emotions with them and I think I love that the most about Jesus. 

When I was going through a challenging time with my health a couple years ago, I saw God show up in the details. He showed me how much he loved me. And I felt his comforting presence right beside me, like his hand physically on me during that time. It made us closer and made my trust and faith grow so so much. If Jesus was not like that, our faith and times of trouble, would not be the same. His empathy is everything to me and everything to so many others. I am so thankful for this attribute of his character and I pray I bring that same empathy to people in my own life. 

No one wants to feel alone in their emotions, during the storms we walk through in this life. God is right there to feel those hard emotions with you. If he wept for Lazarus, I know and believe he is weeping for you and with you in your difficult circumstances. I know that brings me so much comfort when I am facing something challenging. I actually look back fondly now at some hard seasons and storms I’ve walked through, because I see God so much in the details and how much he had comforted me and told me he was walking it with me. 

It’s funny too because I prayed to feel God’s peace more this week and after my time with him and reflecting on this one verse, my heart feels so full of His peace. I am in awe constantly of how He works. It is amazing how God gives us what we need and reveals so much through two words. His word is truly active and alive.

Jesus weeps with us.

He empathizes with our tough emotions and holds us close. 

What more can bring us peace than that attribute of God?

Praying that you feel that comfort and awe if you are facing a difficult time now.

All for Jesus,

Steph