January 23, 2017 - "Jesus Wept"

Chaplain’s Corner

January 23, 2017

Jesus Wept

Greetings, Patriots!

I felt the need this morning to write again. I just wanted to share something with you that has been on my mind for the last few days. I have been thinking a lot about the trials and tribulations and tests of our faith that we endure in this life. I have been thinking about how we are sometimes stretched to our limits in our anguish and pain, and sometimes wonder where God is in all of this. It can be easy to fall into the trap of thinking that He either does not love us, or He does not care about our heartbreaking situations. Neither of these feelings are true.

Do you know what I consider to be one of the most powerful scriptures in the Bible? There are many, many passages that could be considered for that position. Each one has it’s merits. But for me, one of them has special significance. Everyone knows the story that is attached, but few take the time to understand the meaning of it. If you open your Bible to the 11th chapter of the book of John, you will see in verses 1 - 45 the story of Lazarus. A lot has been written about this story already, and I have no new “truth” or understanding of the account to add, other than to share what I feel is one of the most powerful statements in the Bible, which, interestingly, also happens to be the shortest verse in the Bible.

After Jesus arrived to visit Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus, they both acknowledged that if He had been there sooner, their sick brother would not have died. In their grief, they were questioning why Jesus had not come sooner, considering that word had been sent to Him of Lazarus’ sickness. They loved Jesus, and believed Him to be the Son of God, and trusted Him to come and heal their brother, as they had seen Him do for others in the past. In their grief, they did not understand why Jesus allowed their brother, Jesus’ good friend, to die from his sickness. It didn’t make sense to them. Did Jesus get indignant with them, or chastise them for their “lack of faith” in their time of grief?

If you read the whole passage, concentrate on verse 35, which says, merely, “Jesus wept.” What? Jesus wept? Why? Did He not have the power to resurrect Lazarus? Was He not about to perform a powerful miracle? Was He not about to bring glory to His Father, and prove that He was the Son of God, and that He had been sent by Him to save mankind? Why did He weep? Why would he be moved to tears when He was about to bring such happiness to a sad and troubled crowd of people?

I love this scripture, because it reminds me that Jesus, though fully God, had emptied Himself into the body of Man, and was able to feel and understand intensely every emotion that is natural to Man. Being fully human, He was able to feel the brokenness of those around Him, and he was able to have empathy and compassion for them in their hour of sorrow and need. Even though He knew exactly was was about to happen, and he knew the absolute joy that was just around the corner, in the next few minutes, He was still able to completely feel the pain and sorrow of those around Him. And that, my friends, is my greatest comfort.

I worship the God Who created an entire universe. I worship the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings, the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I worship the God Who sits on a pure white throne surrounded by constant intense light, with myriads of angels surrounding Him, shouting, “Holy, Holy, Holy” day and night. Yet, in all of His power and grandeur, this amazing God can, at the same time, feel my pain, feel my agony, and yes, even weep with me as my heart breaks. This very God Who has the power to make all things new again, Who has a purpose and a plan for my life, Who will eventually, in His own time, and in His own way, will wipe out every tear from our eyes. This Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, Almighty God, cares about little old me. He turns His attention to me when I call out to Him, and He blesses me with His Holy Spirit. He embraces me in His arms of love and compassion, and He answers prayer. Remember, though, that sometimes the answer to our prayers is either, “No” or “Not Yet.” If we are let down by what seems like God ignoring us, or not answering prayer, we need to realize that there is a bigger picture, and He is in control, and will work things out to His Glory and our ultimate happiness.

I have friends who have lost loved ones recently, and are grieving. I have friends who are going through hard times right now, and feel all alone. All I can say at this time is that I love you, and I pray for you in your situation. I ask that you, in your grief, not reject God or His tender mercies. Let Him give you comfort and peace, as Philippians 4:7 says, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Peace to all of my Brothers and Sisters,

God Bless you, every one, and:
God Bless America!
Stephen King
Chaplain@3upi.com